SoCal Year 5 LEAF & EV Gatherings - See Year 6

[garygid]

I finally got Nocolas back from the http://www.ShowCarDetailing.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; folks
(about two exits east of the freeway 91 and 55 interchange). The
ground shipment of Opti-Coat Pro "goo" got delayed in Midwestern
storms, so the process took a lot longer than normal. However,
the shine is great, although the result is more dramatic on a dark
color paint, like Black, Red (like Tom's), or dark Blue.

So, assuming all goes as planned, Nicolas should transport Phil
and myself to the Cerritos Gathering this coming Saturday,
along with an extra Tesla wheel rim (standard OEM 19" design).

I am going to use a wheel rim like this one as a "spare tire", after I
mount a tire on it. Then, it will ride in the front trunk (frunk) as
a spare for out-and-away trips. It even has Opti-Coat, I am told.

So, see you all soon, I hope. I am planning for an 8:03 AM arrival
at the Hometown Buffet on South Street, 2 blocks East of the 605.

Cheers, Gary

[91040]

I need a 1.25", cylindrical, 30A, 250V ceramic fuse for my OpenEVSE. Plan to go to Orvac after the meeting, in the hope that they stock them. Does anyone have a spare to sell?
See y'all in the morning.

Update- Orvac doesn't carry the ceramic 30A fuses. Harbor Freight only has car fuses. Time for the internet.

[garygid]

Next EV (LEAF, Rav4EV, Tesla, etc.) Gathering on 21 February in Santa Ana.
Breakfast at Hometown Buffet on 17th Street, 2 blocks East of I-5.
HTB opens at 8 AM on Saturdays, see you there.

Allen, did you find the 30A fuse?
Cheers, Gary

[91040]

Updated my post above regarding the fuse situation.

For those who got the OpenEVSE kits in 2012:
Reviewed the data sheet on the fuse holders we used. They are rated at 30A but the compatible fuse list shows nothing larger than 25A. The fuses we got were 30A ceramic. I was overheating the EVSE in 4 minutes when drawing 25A.
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/e ... ND/1024094" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
After removing the fuse assembly, it takes almost an hour to get somewhat hot. Going to remove the Anderson connectors and re-do the quick connects to see if that reduces the heat further. Will add fuses back in after that. Probably will use the fuse assembly Chris now uses.
http://store.openevse.com/products/30a- ... use-holder" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Update: Noticeably less heat without the Anderson connectors.

[garygid]

Allen,
Even the 30A snap-in dual fuseholder at the OpenEvse website is
described as only 24A continuous.

Sounds like both the fuseholders and the Anderson connectors are
a current problem at the current level that you are currently using.
It seems that you are doing good work, my friend.

Since a DC rating of 30 Amps might be de-rated for continuous use,
and 30A (RMS) AC has current peaks of perhaps 1.4 times the RMS
value, sometimes the AC rating is even less than the DC rating.

Also, often there are manufacturing variations to consider.
See you at HTB in Santa Ana on the 21st, Gary

[GlennD]

Allen, I have 30A ceramic slow blow fuses on hand. As Gary said the continuous rating is 80% or 24A. Really, it is better to use them at 16A since a good rule of thumb is to use a fuse at 1.5 to 2 times the expected current. Fuses fuse (melt) by getting hot!

Chris has gone to the larger 5AG style since the larger fuses run cooler due to the larger area.

It is a shame that both sizes max out in high voltage slow blow at 30A.

On the higher power EVSE's I build I do not use fuses at all. I depend on a proper sized circuit breaker.

Personally I have had problems with power poles and I avoid them. I wonder if filling them with dielectric grease would help. It was not available when I last used power poles.

I doubt I will make the meeting since as a diabetic I tend to overeat.

[91040]

Glenn, Thanks for your offer. I ordered the fuse holder and fuses that Chris now uses in his kit. Should be more robust than the original.

The version of OpenEVSE on this device allows 20, 25 or 30A but not 24A. The Anderson connectors have been removed with concurrent reduction of heat.

As a possibility- Home Town Buffet has a drinks only option. I also know someone who they allow in without paying since he does not eat.

Gary- Thanks also for your encouragement and help.

Allen, I have 30A ceramic slow blow fuses on hand. As Gary said the continuous rating is 80% or 24A. Really, it is better to use them at 16A since a good rule of thumb is to use a fuse at 1.5 to 2 times the expected current. Fuses fuse (melt) by getting hot!

Chris has gone to the larger 5AG style since the larger fuses run cooler due to the larger area.

It is a shame that both sizes max out in high voltage slow blow at 30A.

On the higher power EVSE's I build I do not use fuses at all. I depend on a proper sized circuit breaker.

Personally I have had problems with power poles and I avoid them. I wonder if filling them with dielectric grease would help. It was not available when I last used power poles.

I doubt I will make the meeting since as a diabetic I tend to overeat.

[garygid]

I wish a Happy, Loving Valentines Day to each of you.

As we have grown to become friends and "family", our
interaction continues to warm my internal fluid pump,
and enrich my somewhat strange existance here on
your fantastically rare, beautiful, blue and white orb.

People's lives here often appear to be surrounded with
way too much conflict as some squabble over who gets
what, and insufficient attention is given to being a good
shepherd to this delicate environment. This could be a
paradise for all, except some species keep breeding
like flies, until life just becomes a struggle to survive.

I suspect "Go forth and Multiply" meant become educated
and learn to get along, not overpopulate, hate, and fight.
Perhaps it is not too late for your grandchildren.

But, to each of you, thanks for sharing yourself and
your famlies with me, your kindness and warmth is
very much appreciated, and I am trying to learn to
be better and kinder.

Love, Gary the Gid

[GlennD]

Glenn, Thanks for your offer. I ordered the fuse holder and fuses that Chris now uses in his kit. Should be more robust than the original.

The version of OpenEVSE on this device allows 20, 25 or 30A but not 24A. The Anderson connectors have been removed with concurrent reduction of heat.

As a possibility- Home Town Buffet has a drinks only option. I also know someone who they allow in without paying since he does not eat.

Gary- Thanks also for your encouragement and help.

Allen, I have 30A ceramic slow blow fuses on hand. As Gary said the continuous rating is 80% or 24A. Really, it is better to use them at 16A since a good rule of thumb is to use a fuse at 1.5 to 2 times the expected current. Fuses fuse (melt) by getting hot!

Chris has gone to the larger 5AG style since the larger fuses run cooler due to the larger area.

It is a shame that both sizes max out in high voltage slow blow at 30A.



In the higher power EVSE's I build I do not use fuses at all. I depend on a proper sized circuit breaker.

Personally I have had problems with power poles and I avoid them. I wonder if filling them with dielectric grease would help. It was not available when I last used power poles.

I doubt I will make the meeting since as a diabetic I tend to overeat.

Allen, Just be aware the replacement fuse holder and fuses is MUCH LARGER! I do not think they will fit in the original enclosure.

If you use an external breaker I have some brass dummy fuses that will start a fire before they blow. I put them and a couple of fuses in my glove compartment so I will always have them. I built an EVSE for a person in Florida with temps over 115 degrees. The dummy fuses fixed his fuse blowing problem.

[91040]

I think the fuse holder will fit if I remove one of the risers holding the LED. May also have to move the ground bar. Hmm…maybe I should mount the LED on the cover.

Plan to use this as a portable EVSE so fuses are recommended.

Glenn, Thanks for your offer. I ordered the fuse holder and fuses that Chris now uses in his kit. Should be more robust than the original.

The version of OpenEVSE on this device allows 20, 25 or 30A but not 24A. The Anderson connectors have been removed with concurrent reduction of heat.

As a possibility- Home Town Buffet has a drinks only option. I also know someone who they allow in without paying since he does not eat.

Gary- Thanks also for your encouragement and help.

Allen, Just be aware the replacement fuse holder and fuses is MUCH LARGER! I do not think they will fit in the original enclosure.

If you use an external breaker I have some brass dummy fuses that will start a fire before they blow. I put them and a couple of fuses in my glove compartment so I will always have them. I built an EVSE for a person in Florida with temps over 115 degrees. The dummy fuses fixed his fuse blowing problem.