abasile said:
GRA said:
Some of the places I considered for QCs or at least L2s were at gas stations inside Yosemite. However, Yosemite has been removing them over the past ten years or so (see ideology above). There used to be four inside the park, in the Valley, at Wawona, Crane Flat and Tuolumne Meadows. They removed the station in the Valley about 5-10 years ago (my memory's hazy), and at the end of last year's season they removed the one in Tuolumne Meadows. Although they've removed the dispensers, propane tank etc. from the site the building still stands there (unlike at the former site in the valley), and since it has existing electrical service (and a transformer right along the border of the site), and has paved parking I'm going to recommend that they install charging there first, as it's adjacent to both the Store/P.O./Grill and the campground
Very interesting. We've camped at Tuolumne Meadows every summer for the last few years and, come to think of it, we did notice that the gas station was out of commission this year. I agree that would be a superb location for L1/L2 charging, and appreciate your advocacy efforts! Every year we've turned in a handwritten comment card noting the need for EV charging at Tuolumne, and spoken informally with rangers, but that's been the extent of our efforts.
IME the rangers (like the campground ranger four years ago I made arrangements with to let Randy3 charge his LEAF at the campground Host's RV hookup) are all for it, but once things get into the park bureaucracy everything slows down, and money's usually the hold up. IIRR it took me 18 months from initial proposal to final installation for the PV lighting system at Ostrander hut in the early '90s, even though everyone was in favor of it, the park had most of the major components (modules, batteries, controller, fuse box etc.) sitting around waiting for someone to use them so most of the major costs were covered, and I provided many of the minor components and did the install gratis. As I've been going there every winter since 1980, I've benefited from not having to breathe Coleman lantern fumes or needing to pump them every 20 minutes or so since then, so I figure I came out ahead. :lol: So, while I'll urge them to have something ready for next summer, don't hold your breath; I'm just one voice with no influence stronger than a good argument.
abasile said:
GRA said:
It will almost certainly have to be L1 or L2, as IIRR the transformer's only 25kW, and I'd rather have multiple receptacles or EVSEs than just a single low-power QC. In fact, for overnight parking locations like lodgings and campgrounds I'd prefer cheaper L1 using receptacles, as that will give people enough juice overnight to exit the park to the nearest QC, while encouraging them to walk/bike or take the shuttles inside the park.
That makes sense. Typically when we're at Tuolumne or other national park locations with good trail access, we avoid using our car, preferring instead to hike everywhere. But having some access to charging, even L1, would give us more comfort in making side trips within the park. For instance, from Tuolumne, it can be nice to make a day trip down to Yosemite Valley and back up. (There are shuttle buses that make that trip, but their hours of operation are limited, some of the fares aren't cheap for a whole family, and they don't stop at the scenic overlooks.)
Overnight L1 will easily get you down to the Valley given all the regen, but you'll need L2 to get back up the same day (there's currently one Clipper Creek J1772 in the village parking lot, and a 14-50R plus a Tesla HPWC at the Ahwahnee, all free). Assuming that the gas station's transformer is 25kVA, we've got a max. of 20kVA continuous, so I'm leaning towards recommending a pair of 32A L2 s and 4 L1s there, with the L2s priced higher (and maybe the L1s just 5-15Rs and free (although I really dislike promoting the idea that electricity is or should be 'free').
However, if they're just receptacles it's probably not cost effective to install fee paying, and even if you sell daily hang tags at the store, unless you police them someone will inevitably cheat. L2 needs to require payment priced high enough to discourage casual use or hogging with escalating payment by time if not charging, but still below (inflated) gas prices so most people will be willing to take a BEV and not just drive the gasser. On the positive side, most PHEVs can be completely charged overnight on L1, so there's less reason for them to use the L2s, hopefully leaving them free for BEVs.
L1 hang tags may work at Tuolumne Meadows Lodge as they can be sold at reception, and it sits off by itself so people not staying/eating there have no reason to be there, so hopefully policing wouldn't be necessary.
Of course, what is recommended and what wind's up getting done often bears little relation, as every separate department of the park bureaucracy who might possibly be concerned wants to put their own oar in, regardless of whether of not they have the slightest clue. Some of the equipment originally installed at Ostrander was totally overspec for the job, and some made no sense whatsoever (like the wind totalizer that someone decided to send into the hut with the PV equipment). When I saw that I shook my head and thought, "In order to get the park historian to sign off on this I had to promise him that I wouldn't make any permanent changes to the look or structure of the facade of the hut and the modules would be removed at the end of every winter season, nor would I disturb any area outside the border of the enclave (IIRR it extended 25' from any hut exterior wall) in the wilderness area.
No modules: http://www.mymotherlode.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Ostrander-hut-10-11-14-500x333.jpg
With modules: http://images.everytrail.com/pics/fullsize/1262786-Ostrander_Hut.jpg
Yet somewhere there's someone who thinks that the historian will be just fine with it if we somehow erect a tower (not supplied) high enough to get data from the totalizer to show if there's potential for a wind turbine, the axis of which will need to be on a (permanent) guyed or freestanding tower at least 30' higher than the 60'-90' trees surrounding the hut, and will have to be far enough away (i.e. outside the enclave) that the noise won't bother people, and who's going to climb the tower and maintain the turbine?" :roll: It sat under a bunk for the next three years, until someone finally carried it out.
If you've ever noticed the PV modules which are located on top of the toilets at Lembert Dome picnic area, which are intended to power a vent fan so they don't smell, but which are completely surrounded by tall trees and which might get unshaded sun for a minute or two at noon on the summer solstice, it may have already occurred to you that many of the park's engineering/maintenance staff are unclear on the concept. :lol:
abasile said:
GRA said:
Trying to find funds for (edited/shortened - EVSEs at various Yosemite locations) will be tough, but I'm hoping I can get the Yosemite Conservancy to chip in (got an in there).
Again, thank you for your efforts!
We all try to do what we can, and once in a while we succeed.
Do keep submitting those comment cards; we need the wheel to be as squeaky as possible.
