April 14, 2008 by Rob.

I drive the RAVolt nearly everyday, but not to work anymore.  It’s easy to run 10 to 15 miles just shuttling around the city on errands.  I drove 18.5 miles on a single charge this weekend and it’s obvious that I’d be running on my batteries’ edge to go over 20 miles right now.

I’ve known that I damaged the batteries when I abused them back in November.  It’s a shame to see just how much it cost me in range.  I’ve got some ideas about reconditioning, but it really hurts to lose the range.

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March 22, 2008 by Rob.

I’m driving the RAV as much, but it still gets plenty of use.  I just watered the batteries and added about a gallon of H20.

My Volvo S70 ga$$er is in need of some major repairs and I’m considering trading it down for a small econo box.

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February 1, 2008 by Rob.

I was nearly stranded last week by the cold after I’d driven just 10 miles in the 40 degree weather. Luckily, I was close to home and managed to literally crawl back to my extension cord.

It’s not fun learning the difference between theory and practice first hand. I had a hard time disillusioning someone at the lame UT event who insisted that Pb batteries lost just 30% capacity at zero degrees based on the “cold cranking amps” label on his ICE battery.

I’m looking forward to warm weather! I took the RAVolt out on our balmy Saturday for 20 miles and you’d never know that it was gasping for breath just 2 days earlier.

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January 13, 2008 by Rob.

We racked up nearly 20 miles driving around Westlake this weekend over 2 days.  That would be enough for me to commute, but the last few miles were very saggy so I’m reluctant to cruise 360’s hills just yet.

I think that letting the batteries chill overnight partially charged (over 80%!) may hurt my capacity more that I expected.  According to Chris R on the AustinEV list, “batteries should be recharged quickly if possible.”

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January 6, 2008 by Rob.

I finally got around to watering the RAVolts dry batteries. I gave them a nice long drink of electrons to see if I can get my range back into the 20s. They demonstrated their appreciation by making the RAVolt smell strongly of boiled eggs. Did I mention that I HATE boiled eggs? Do I think you care? Don’t answer, I know it’s a double “no.”

Anyway, I took the family out for egg flavored yogurt and a joy ride tonight. We were able to cruise 16 miles with two long climbs on 360 at highway speeds. The batteries were holding up nicely and I’m feeling optimistic that I did not completely crush them when I got stranded.

I’m planning to equalize the string (trickle charge 1 at a time) tomorrow after charging tonight.

PS: Are you interested in social media too? Check out apophrenia. I was just reading her post about an blogging income gap with teens.

Posted in Batteries, Daily Use | 1 Comment »

December 19, 2007 by Rob.

I took advantage of the warm weather to spend some quality time with the RAVolt.  Clearly the RAVolt was feeling neglected because we had a bit of a Christine moment.

On the way home from getting my trilunar haircut, the brakes turned to bricks.  That’s normal when the vacuum pump is not working: normal maybe, but definitely unwelcome.  The brakes still “work” as long as there is no one in front of you and you’re going up hill.  I pulled over quickly and discovered a loose wire.  Luckily, I was just cruising the neighborhood.

Lessons learned:

1. Avoid force the wrong age wire into a screw terminal
2. Include routine “pull test” for wire fitting.

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December 7, 2007 by Rob.

I cautiously drove the RAVolt to work today AND back home too.  The batteries are still weaker than before, but there was enough charge to keep me from being a total embarrassment.  I have to admit that I’m still skittish after last week.

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November 29, 2007 by Rob.

The RAVolt appeared sufficiently repentant to take a short drive so I played electric bus today by driving our middle school carpool. Considering the fragile cargo, I thoughtfully preheated the car. This handy box heater with thermostat was just what the electrician ordered! It’s amazing how warm the car stays if it’s been preheated and equally amazing how fast it cools off when the kids are unloading with the doors open.

Posted in Daily Use, Improvements, Pictures | 1 Comment »

November 28, 2007 by Rob.

Just a quick update…My buddy, Paul B, gave me a lift back to car and was prepared to tow it if needed.  With warmer temperatures the batteries had recovered enough to drive (slowly) all the way back home.  The RAVolt is now happily having an electron cocktail in its customary roost.

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November 28, 2007 by Rob.

Today was a very sad first for the RAVolt and I: my batteries died on my way home and I had to call Laura for a ride. I had a feeling when I left that I did not have a full charge, but pushed ahead anyway. I suspected that the batteries where not as strong on cold days (today was 40s)  and I ignored the warning signs.

An important note is that my homebound commute has a long stretch of up-up-and-more-up hill. By the time I hit the long hill, my batteries were already sagging hard. I ultimately had to pull over to the shoulder and crawl up the entire hill (from 360 Bridge up to Wild Basin). That was a long dark and slow trek with traffic whizzing by while the RAVolt was humming “I think I can, I think I can, Iiiiii thiiiiinnnnk Iiiii caaaaaaaaannnnnn.”

I’m hoping that the batteries are recovered enough that I can make it up the last hill and then coast home tomorrow. I’m going to grab a buddy at work and (if needed) use my gasser to give me a push. I’d though about towing the RAVolt, but I feel like I’m so close that a little patience and pushing will let me go the distance, since I’m not going for speed. Unfortunately, I doubt it will be a piece of Cake (listen to reference).

  A dark and lonely RAVolt waiting for daylight.

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