It's Never Done.....

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by bobmiller1

To answer the not so dumb question......yes you could use the extension cord if you really wanted too,,,,but we usually charge at the campground overnite and we're good to go on electric the next day. Regards, Bob

Campground charging makes a lot more sense

What size charging circuit is required for the Volt?

[bobmiller1]

10 or 15 amp circuit, 120 volt, programable through the dashboard of the volt. 20 amp 220 volt if available. Full charge takes 10 hours on 120 volt or 4 hours on 220 volt.

[bkahler]

That's not to be for charging times. Something like the Volt wouldn't be a bad commuter vehicle for me as I drive 12 miles round trip to work and back each day.

Thanks!

Brad

[bobmiller1]

I commute 49 miles each way to my business....no gas coming to work, mostly downhill....engine runs last 5 miles going home....mostly uphill ! Lifetime MPG is 180.3 MPG ! 4 years now.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by bobmiller1

I commute 49 miles each way to my business....no gas coming to work, mostly downhill....engine runs last 5 miles going home....mostly uphill ! Lifetime MPG is 180.3 MPG ! 4 years now.

Is there a projected cost for battery replacement and a time frame or mileage range as to when you will have to perform that task?

[bobmiller1]

Worst case senairio is $6000.00 for the battery....it's warranties for 8 years/80,000 miles. I just ordered a 2017. I beat them to death as they are a commuter car for me, it's just an expense that I deal with.

[bkahler]

So if a person could drive for 6 years and stayed under or near the 80,000 miles then you're looking at about $1000 a year for driving it plus whatever gas you use over that period.

In general all round driving I put about 250 miles/week on my Ranger or about 12,000 a year so I would be under the 80,000 mile mark in 6 years. It's seldom that I put 50 miles on in any given day but there are a lot of hills around where I live so I'm sure that would factor into it. But for the heck of it figure very minimal gas consumption That works out to about a 9 cents a mile driving plus whatever the cost of electricity to charge the vehicle. By comparison my Ranger is about 13 cents a mile.

Doesn't sound to bad overall. Or did I miss something in my calculations?

[bobmiller1]

Keep in mind there are less maintenance costs.....IE no tune-ups, because actual engine usage is nill....I change the oil once a year even though there"s an average of 92% oil life left when I do it. I have to do a full charge twice a day because of my commute so I have a 240 volt charging station at my shop and one at home. It costs me .73 cents to charge at home (residential) and 1.21 at work (commercial) to charge per day. I have solar panels on my home so no real cost while charging at home. Because you drive way less than I do you might want to consider the lease program.....based on the mileage you state, it would be a lot less money out of your pocket that way.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by bobmiller1

Keep in mind there are less maintenance costs.....IE no tune-ups, because actual engine usage is nill....I change the oil once a year even though there"s an average of 92% oil life left when I do it. I have to do a full charge twice a day because of my commute so I have a 240 volt charging station at my shop and one at home. It costs me .73 cents to charge at home (residential) and 1.21 at work (commercial) to charge per day. I have solar panels on my home so no real cost while charging at home. Because you drive way less than I do you might want to consider the lease program.....based on the mileage you state, it would be a lot less money out of your pocket that way.

Charging cost is less than I would have expected.

For the time being I won't be buying or leasing anything. All of my vehicles are paid for and I'm enjoying not having any payments!

If or when the time comes to get a different vehicle I'll definitely consider something like the Volt. Thanks for all the info!

Brad

[bobmiller1]

Cooling system is all done ! R-12 AC system all recharged ! All power steering lines replaced and system flushed ! I will double check all fittings tonight after dinner then continue working on the generator compartment. Will start to tackle the cruise control and under dash wiring next week.

[bobmiller1]

I got the motorhome out of the shop today, 55 degrees outside, "awesome", put it back in...started working on the hitch set up, will also be easier to re-install the generator.

[Kreimer]

With your hitch upgraded how much would you trust these beauties to tow? We had a new hitch installed in Phoenix and it is a 600lb capacity. Not that I would try to pull that much with the coach. She is old after all!

[bobmiller1]

I am setting mine up to tow a max of 4500 lbs. Now that the cooling system is 100% and the rest of the drivetrain is up to speed. I still have to get the tag axle brakes to operate, they are all new but I believe there is a problem with the original brake controller. I will be looking into that before our double road test in April. Regards, Bob

[Kreimer]

I just read what I posted... Not 600.. 6000. Stupid autocorrect! Good luck getting your brakes sorted!

[SpiceStream]

Bob,
Did you end up needing to replace either of the slide out extensions on your battery box? I have one getting funky, just have not researched where to get one yet.

Thank You,
Curt

[bobmiller1]

No, mine are all in good shape....I cleaned them all out with WD-40 when I bought it. All of the tool boxes that I sell use them so finding a heavy duty replacement when the time comes should not be a problem. Regards, Bob

[bobmiller1]

My generator is all done at the shop, going to pick it up on Friday. Trailer hitch all finished. I am going to remove the stove/oven on Sunday and start the work on adding the 12 volt to 110 volt inverter/converter so that I do not have to run the generator so the kids can watch TV. I have to also figure out the wiring on the tag axle electric brakes so I can get them working. Finishing touches on the Fire Suppression system are also on the list.......Oh my....It's never done, and the "get together" is coming up as well.

[bobmiller1]

Busy day in the shop today, I still have a lot to do before the Classic motorhome "Get Together". The Onan 6500 is now reinstalled. I replaced the original rubber fuel line with 1/4" steel line from inside the frame rail to inside the generator compartment. I only need a 5 inch piece of rubber line to connect to the fuel pump. The new fire blanket is also installed as well as the fire suppression system sprinkler head. I also found a new location for our stove/oven. (only kidding). I am replacing the original power supply/charger with a new 2000 watt inverter/charger....no more buzzing and humming when plugged into shore power. Removing the stove/oven has given me the chance to see one of the last areas of the motorhome that I have never seen. The original charger appears to be working normal however it is very warm while in use. There does not appear to be a fan inside the unit to help cool it, maybe that's just the way they were made.

[bobmiller1]

[shepherd57]

Bob
Is that the original air dam under the front bumper or did you put that on.

I would like to find one for my coach. Do you know what vehicle it might of came off