"Trickle charging is not recommended for regular use"

[garygid]

The L1 & L2 EVSEs do not "push" any amount of current in.
They simply advise the car that NN-amps (12, 16, etc.) is the Maximum that the car should attempt to "draw" (long term).

A particular EVSE might include a circuit to measure the out-going current, and open its relay if it thinks "too much" is being drawn. However, I think that is not a required EVSE function.

[Pipemajor]

Sometimes hammering a lead pack with current makes them last longer. Over charging or deep cycling them will kill them, Heat is a separate issue. Putting butter on battery terminals before mounting the cables will increase current by as much as 10%.

Hammering a pack with current will never make it last longer. No need to deep cycle lithium batteries and butter on the terminals has nothing to do with charge current.

[smkettner]

Hammering the pack may well work a bit with lead-acid but I am not sure about lithium.
Just saying try not to apply other battery habits to Leaf.

[Pipemajor]

Good primer on lithium-ion chemistry:
http://batteryuniversity.com/index.php/ ... _batteries

[planet4ever]

Assuming:

Level 1 = 120 volts @ 12 amps
Level 2 = 240 volts @ ~14 amps (Maximum of 208 volts @ 16 amps for a 3.3 KW charger)
Pack Capacity = 24 KWh, but takes 26.4 KWh of energy to completely charge (10% inefficiency)
24 KWh = Average of 100 miles

I agree with your assumptions, except possibly the Level 2 amps. For those who believe 100 miles on a full charge is too high, let me point out that we now know Nissan has always been figuring "empty" as when the Low Battery Warning light comes on, and that is probably more like 20 kWh down in the battery. The EPA says 100 miles is optimistic, and I'll agree, based on that definition of empty. But I think we'll find we can easily eke out 100 miles if we squeeze every electron possible out of the battery, and limp home in turtle mode. And we would indeed need roughly 26 1/2 kWh at the wall to recharge from that point.

[PaulScott]

Speak for yourself. If you don't know how to drive efficiently, then yes, you might have to "eke" out 100 miles. I can get 120 miles out of my RAV, and I've got enough time in the LEAF to know 120 miles is easy to do.

Paul
Black SL/ETEC
2002 RAV4 EV
2007 Vectrix

[evnow]

Trickle charge is designed to make up for the self discharge.

I think the manual says - don't do this. Atleast that is a possible explanation.

[AndyH]

Good primer on lithium-ion chemistry:
http://batteryuniversity.com/index.php/ ... _batteries

Good primer but 5-7 years out of date.

No - don't hammer lithium. Don't think of lead - lead is dead.

Part of the problem we have in this brave new world of lithium EVs is that the DIYers and older EVers have to unlearn their mad 'keep lead alive' skillz.

[AndyH]

I agree with your assumptions, except possibly the Level 2 amps. For those who believe 100 miles on a full charge is too high, let me point out that we now know Nissan has always been figuring "empty" as when the Low Battery Warning light comes on, and that is probably more like 20 kWh down in the battery. The EPA says 100 miles is optimistic, and I'll agree, based on that definition of empty. But I think we'll find we can easily eke out 100 miles if we squeeze every electron possible out of the battery, and limp home in turtle mode. And we would indeed need roughly 26 1/2 kWh at the wall to recharge from that point.

No way. The 100 mile range is based on LA4 - it's old but still real-world. Even Perry's said that the hypermilers will be in the 130 mile area.

The EV endurance testing keeps the wheels turning until the car stops or can't hold a minimum speed - the testing doesn't pay attention to the lights on the dash...

[planet4ever]

Speak for yourself. If you don't know how to drive efficiently, then yes, you might have to "eke" out 100 miles. I can get 120 miles out of my RAV, and I've got enough time in the LEAF to know 120 miles is easy to do.

Sorry, my wording may not have been the best. "eke" is indeed a loaded term. What I said was easily eke. What I was thinking was that even gudy could get 100 miles if he pushed it to the limit.

And, Andy, I agree with you. The EPA test will not automatically stop when you go into turtle mode.