Capacity Loss on 2011-2012 LEAFs

[Weatherman]

I might be able to find plots for other locations Just let me know where.

I would be interested to see other areas of San Fernando Valley (Canoga Park, CA) if available.

There's a pulldown menu in the upper left hand corner of the page for LA County and northwest locations (the first link I provided). Van Nuys would be a pretty representative location for the central and western part of the San Fernando Valley.

[Weatherman]

Note: Following quote is edited and severely trimmed.

My suggestion, for those concerned about the life of their LEAF's battery, is to think of it this way:

1. If you almost always see five bars or less on the battery temperature gage, and it only gets up to six bars a handful of times each summer...
   Don't worry about it.
2. If you see five bars or less during the winter half of the year and, fairly often, see six bars during the summer half...
   You, probably, are going to see the quoted loss (20% loss at 5 and 30% loss at 10).
3. If seeing six bars is common for a large part of the year and an, occasional, seventh bar pops up during the summer months...
   Don't consider buying.
4. If you spend a large part of the summer with seven temperature bars, or more, showing...
   It's, probably, best to stay away completely

Well put, Weatherman. I fall in your group 2, I love my car, and I expect that it will continue to satisfy my needs for a number of years.

Ray

My Temp bars are always on six bars. In fact, I have never seen anything else in summer or winter in Florida. No capacity loss yet. Could happen any time.

I suspect that most of the southeast U.S would fall into the third category. I see six bars nearly all year, also, and I have no idea whether that's ok, or that's bad. I guess we'll find out sometime toward the middle of next year.

[LEAFfan]

Since the battery warranty DOES cover any capacity loss that isn't "gradual", any intelligent person knows that a 15% or higher loss in about a year isn't gradual.

I'm sorry, LEAFfan, but that is flat wrong. Intelligent English-speaking people should know that "gradual" is not a synonym for "slow". Nissan's lawyers, and any judge hearing a case, will certainly know that. What is covered is sudden capacity loss, not gradual loss. Gradual means a little bit at a time. If you lose a bit of capacity each week, that's gradual, even if that is 0.3% per week. And, yes 0.3%/week adds up to more than 15%/year.
But I don think your complaints will get very far in the court system.
Ray

Ray, my post has no mention of court action. Please don't assume or infer that I did. You do know what happens when you do that.

[leafwing]

My suggestion, for those concerned about the life of their LEAF's battery, is to think of it this way:

1. If you almost always see five bars or less on the battery temperature gage, and it only gets up to six bars a handful of times each summer...
   Don't worry about it.
2. If you see five bars or less during the winter half of the year and, fairly often, see six bars during the summer half...
   You, probably, are going to see the quoted loss (20% loss at 5 and 30% loss at 10).
3. If seeing six bars is common for a large part of the year and an, occasional, seventh bar pops up during the summer months...
   Don't consider buying.
4. If you spend a large part of the summer with seven temperature bars, or more, showing...
   It's, probably, best to stay away completely

The problem is.... if you're seeing either 6 or 7 bars, you already own or are leasing the car and you're essentially screwed.

+1 He should have posted his conclusions two years ago.

[RegGuheert]

I've asked several times, of those that have access to this source, that they please post this entire table (?) and any associated text.

Please add this info to the Wiki, when it is available.

Everyone has access... http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=7570" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; but it is a $20 subscription. Worth every penny if you want to know about the vehicle. I suggest you get a copy for yourself.

Actually, that table is no longer available in the service manual. It was apparently in the original version, but it has been removed and is not found in the current version.

[TonyWilliams]

Actually, that table is no longer available in the service manual. It was apparently in the original version, but it has been removed and is not found in the current version.

A service manual that doesn't include basic information about the temperature of the battery; specifically removed why?

[RegGuheert]

Actually, that table is no longer available in the service manual. It was apparently in the original version, but it has been removed and is not found in the current version.

A service manual that doesn't include basic information about the temperature of the battery; specifically removed why?

I wasn't referring to the section on the temperature bars, but rather the section on the capacity bars. While the table on the temperature bars is now different the table showing the values of the capacity bars is now completely gone. Why? I certainly don't know.

[DarkStar]

I've asked several times, of those that have access to this source, that they please post this entire table (?) and any associated text.

Please add this info to the Wiki, when it is available.

Everyone has access... http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=7570" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; but it is a $20 subscription. Worth every penny if you want to know about the vehicle. I suggest you get a copy for yourself.

Actually, that table is no longer available in the service manual. It was apparently in the original version, but it has been removed and is not found in the current version.

So with the software update back in April (?), we now have no idea what these bars actually reflect. Interesting...

[DoxyLover]

One thing I failed to mention, was when speaking to the technician who checked out my LEAF, he mentioned Air conditioning takes it's power directly from the Li-Ion Pack Battery...Does anybody think there is a correlation between battery degredation and LEAF owners who who use the air conditioning every day in the Summer in addition to the the hot air surrounding the battery pack. Sounds like the more strain you put on the Battery pack i.e. A/C and other environmental conditions will cause the battery to get weaker faster...just a thought.

If the energy info screen can be believed, the AC never seems to use more than 200-300 watts. I'm sure that might be more in AZ at peak time, but still seems to be just a couple percent compared to the electric motor load.

AFAIK, the AC compressor does run off the HV.

Actually, under 90F+ conditions, I've seen the CC energy gauge hit 1500W for a few minutes when everything is still hot and run about 500W continuous. Cooler temps, I agree that 300W is common.

[RegGuheert]

So with the software update back in April (?), we now have no idea what these bars actually reflect. Interesting...

Actually, the service manual was revised with these changes in April 2011.