...to set the Mini E back to the high-voltage charge before plugging in at work.
I'm always paranoid about plugging in at home. Well, I'm always paranoid period. Just kidding. Not really. Why do you ask? Oh, you didn't. Sorry.
What was I saying?
Oh, when charging the Mini E at home, I have to let the car know I'll be using my home power outlet. No problem. It's easy to do on the stalk of the steering column. But, I'm always afraid I won't remember to change it back before I plug in at work. And then whammo! I'll melt down the car.
I charged up at home this weekend. Then, the next day I only used the car for one short trip. No need to plug in again before going to the office. But I forgot to reset the info inside the car. I woke up in a cold sweat that night. Argh! I forgot to change the "Set Info" button. I have to remember before I plug in at work. What if I forget? I should write myself a note. No, I'll remember. Won't I? I have to.
Yes, sorry to say this blog enters my dreams. Now you know why I type to myself.
But remember, in the words of the late, great Kurt Cobain, "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you."
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
carguy622 says:
05:45 PM, 02/23/10
There's got to be some sort of built-in safety, or a message that pops up.
hybris says:
06:07 PM, 02/23/10
I would be surprised if there wasn't a circuit breaker or something even on a prototype test bed.
Maybe Tom has some insight on this.
Also the fact you blog in your sleep makes me wonder more for one reason or another...
why don't we have a edit button?
tomm250 says:
07:12 PM, 02/23/10
Donna there's no reason to sweat it. You can plug in at any setting and nothing bad will happen. The car will only "call" for the amp setting you have it set to. Therefore if you left at 12amp from using the portable charger at you house and plugged in on your 32amp, 220V charger at work, the car would still charge slowly at 12amp (however it would charge quicker than at 12amp, 110v).
Now if you did the reverse and left it at 32amp and plugged in at 12amp at home you would simply trip a circuit breaker. Either way, there would be no damage to the car or anything for that matter.
I have a 32amp charge station at home and a 50amp one at my work so every day I have to toggle the settings at least twice. Occasionally, I do forget at work and it just charges a little slower. It takes 3 1/2 hours at 50amp and 4 1/2 hours at 32amp if the battery is completely discharged. I haven't needed to charge 12amp, 110v since I first got the car and thank God because it would drive me nuts it takes so long.
carguy622: Unfortunately there is no warning system to tell you the setting is wrong. No EV that will actually be available for sale will have that omission, remember this is a test mule vehicle.
hybris: You knew I'd be around t clear This up ; )
Finally, I want to point out that all the electronics are in the car. The charging stations have some safety features in them so you don't plug in and unplug "hot", but that's about it. Many of the people in the program have made portable plugs so we can charge up anywhere there is a 220v 50amp outlet, like any RV park. I just wanted to demystify the whole charge station thing. It's just a glorified 220V outlet
clarkma5 says:
08:15 PM, 02/23/10
I assume that (if it's not already on this vehicle), any production electric vehicle would be equipped with some sort of automatic voltage detecting system so it wouldn't put its expensive electronics at risk and keep the system as idiot-proof and convenient as possible.
keijidosha says:
10:32 PM, 02/23/10
You can all rest easy. Now that SAE J1772-2010 has arrived, the control pilot will take over.
No worries!
heavysixer says:
10:29 AM, 02/24/10
"Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you."
That just happens to be my favorite quote of all time, Donna. Nice to see someone else bust it out!