Longer range option

We have experimented with this, and it is definitely possible to add a range extension pack, or even a (sacrilege) ICE generator/pusher trailer for really long hauls.

Question is, what are you willing to pay for it? Adding Lithium is VERY expensive! A decent 10kW pack would cost over $10k installed.

A trailer initially sounds silly, but it would be easy for "temporary" rentals to LEAF owners who don't have other cars, or are looking to transport their car long distances, such as moving from summer home to winter home and vice-versa twice a year. (Vice-LEAFa!)

We will build one if there is enough interest.

-Phil

Ingineer said:

We will build one if there is enough interest.
-Phil

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There is at least one other outfit actively working on this with lithium manganese cells. Apparently, there's concern over the trunk for crash protection.

How do forsee getting the auxiliary battery power into the main traction battery?

I came up a little short today, and hit Turtle (for the tenth time) 1.8 miles from my house. Fortunately, I actively and regularly practice rolling as far as I can, since I have two uphill grades just prior to my house.

Anyhoo, new record for me.... I made it.

Phil,

perhaps something like this http://www.evnut.com/rav_longranger.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; can be done, but made cleaner and updated... It has some unique features, such as steerable wheels that assist while backing up, so you don't jacknife it, etc.

Mitch

TonyWilliams said:

I came up a little short today, and hit Turtle (for the tenth time) 1.8 miles from my house.

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Maybe its time to slow down a tiny bit?.. it sounds like you almost have enough range.

Herm said:

TonyWilliams said:

I came up a little short today, and hit Turtle (for the tenth time) 1.8 miles from my house.

Click to expand...

Maybe its time to slow down a tiny bit?.. it sounds like you almost have enough range.

Click to expand...

I did slow down... just exactly (apparently) the right amount, as I did drive into my garage. 1.8 miles, with as much as 200 feet elevation gain (in short bursts).

I just had to work a bit harder for it than usual.

TonyWilliams said:

I did slow down... just exactly (apparently) the right amount, as I did drive into my garage. 1.8 miles, with as much as 200 feet elevation gain (in short bursts).

I just had to work a bit harder for it than usual.

Click to expand...

Maybe you should trade for a Volt. As the battery pack capacity degrades overtime your ability to make it home is going to get harder to accomplish.

Just saying.

JPWhite said:

TonyWilliams said:

I did slow down... just exactly (apparently) the right amount, as I did drive into my garage. 1.8 miles, with as much as 200 feet elevation gain (in short bursts).

I just had to work a bit harder for it than usual.

Click to expand...

Maybe you should trade for a Volt. As the battery pack capacity degrades overtime your ability to make it home is going to get harder to accomplish.

Just saying.

Click to expand...

For the money I'd have to spend to get a Volt, I can think of plenty of other options. Plus, my options don't include burning oil, which I would do plenty of in a 40 mile range Volt.

I need more electric range... either a aux battery, quick charging options, or both.

Ingineer said:

We have experimented with this, and it is definitely possible to add a range extension pack, or even a (sacrilege) ICE generator/pusher trailer for really long hauls.

Question is, what are you willing to pay for it? Adding Lithium is VERY expensive! A decent 10kW pack would cost over $10k installed.

A trailer initially sounds silly, but it would be easy for "temporary" rentals to LEAF owners who don't have other cars, or are looking to transport their car long distances, such as moving from summer home to winter home and vice-versa twice a year. (Vice-LEAFa!)

We will build one if there is enough interest.

-Phil

Click to expand...

I also are an ingineer (BS EE, MS System Eng.), but I been doing software for the past 40 years. I wondered if anyone else had though of the generator trailer. It sounds like a very good idea to me. We only make 4-8 trips over 50 miles each year and we presently have a 14-year old second car for that. However, for some of them we'd happily rent a generator trailer from our Nissan dealer. The main issue is price. It should be a lot less expensive than renting a car.

The main design issues I can think of are making the trailer safe and adding another power connection to the Leaf. The trailer would not provide as much impact resistance for it's gas tank as a regular car, so that tank will need extra protection. Adding a input power port might be a warranty issue. Adding some engine instrumentation for the driver might also be an issue, but a short-range radio link might work well.

Here are my requirements:
1. Range: 200 miles between refueling. 300 preferred
2. Fuel: Regular gas. Diesel would be acceptable. Premium is not acceptable.
3. Speed with trailer: 65 mph on the 80% steepest up-hill grades with full fuel, 2 people and 100 lbs of baggage. 75 mph preferred and 90% of all grades also preferred.
4. Trailer should be low enough that rear mirror can see traffic.

How much would you be willing to pay to rent that trailer?.

75mph up a heavy grade will require a large generator, probably 50kW or bigger.

Herm said:

How much would you be willing to pay to rent that trailer?.

75mph up a heavy grade will require a large generator, probably 50kW or bigger.

Click to expand...

I'll settle for 65 on a heavy grade it that saves money.

My local Enterprise Rent-A-Car charges $32/day for an intermediate size car, $25 for a compact. That's before sales tax and for 3 days from noon Friday to noon Monday. I'd be willing to pay $10-$15/day for a trailer. More than $20/day and I might as well rent a whole car. I know that doesn't leave a lot of room for profit, but that's my perspective since I'd be using it for a vacation trip. If I had to relocate, I'd be willing to pay more.

We bought a Leaf because our average daily driving is under 25 miles and the worst case over 3 months was 35 miles.

RichCohen said:

We bought a Leaf because our average daily driving is under 25 miles and the worst case over 3 months was 35 miles.

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You would have done great with a Volt, plus it has a built-in generator already

RichCohen said:

Ingineer said:

We have experimented with this, and it is definitely possible to add a range extension pack, or even a (sacrilege) ICE generator/pusher trailer for really long hauls.

Question is, what are you willing to pay for it? Adding Lithium is VERY expensive! A decent 10kW pack would cost over $10k installed.

A trailer initially sounds silly, but it would be easy for "temporary" rentals to LEAF owners who don't have other cars, or are looking to transport their car long distances, such as moving from summer home to winter home and vice-versa twice a year. (Vice-LEAFa!)

We will build one if there is enough interest.

-Phil

Click to expand...

I also are an ingineer (BS EE, MS System Eng.), but I been doing software for the past 40 years. I wondered if anyone else had though of the generator trailer. It sounds like a very good idea to me. We only make 4-8 trips over 50 miles each year and we presently have a 14-year old second car for that. However, for some of them we'd happily rent a generator trailer from our Nissan dealer. The main issue is price. It should be a lot less expensive than renting a car.

The main design issues I can think of are making the trailer safe and adding another power connection to the Leaf. The trailer would not provide as much impact resistance for it's gas tank as a regular car, so that tank will need extra protection. Adding a input power port might be a warranty issue. Adding some engine instrumentation for the driver might also be an issue, but a short-range radio link might work well.

Here are my requirements:
1. Range: 200 miles between refueling. 300 preferred

Click to expand...

Like Herm said what you have described here is a Chevy Volt. If you do not like GM products maybe you should look at a Plug in Prius.

On the other had if you want to stay pure EV then just go buy a Tesla. The base model has a 40kwh pack where the Leaf has 24 kwh pack.
Now if you still want that 300 mile range then you can have that too. All it takes is more money for more battery capacity.
http://www.teslamotors.com/models/options" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;