“I have no idea how much it costs to install RV hookups - presumably a lot less. Maybe they are substantially lower power?”
The 240VAC/50A outlets are higher power than the Coulomb EVSE’s I use which are 240VAC/30A. “What is the cost of installing an RV panel? $500? Less? What risk has been avoided by using EVSEs? Have you heard of any RV shocking incidents?” There are a lot of RVs on the road and no one seems to get shocked using the 50A outlets. But of course the extension cord is dead until the male plug is plugged into the receptacle and it is difficult to shock yourself with the female connector. It is of course different on EV extensions where one could attach the connector to the battery pack first creating the possibility of getting a shock from the male plug prior to plugging it into the AC receptacle, or a shock from the male plug on the EV itself before the extension is connected. It doesn’t take a lot of thought to avoid this, but then designers have to consider children, drunks…and insurance companies push to make things as safe as possible to avoid lawsuits and losses. “I think a better plan is to simply charge by time plugged in.” I think that would work for the DC fast chargers since any EV equipped to use one can charge at the max rate. Would not work as well for level 2 chargers since to ensure the EVSE owner makes money s/he would have to charge an hourly rate which ensures they make an acceptable ROI accounting for those that charge at max power output of the EVSE. Those whose chargers can only charge at 1/4 that rate or so will then pay considerably more per kWh, which at present would be most EV owners since they charge at much lower rates than a Tesla. I agree that it just isn't worth it to do 300 or 400 mile trips in an EV like mine with 75 mile range - more like 60 at 65 mph. Especially since currently many EVSEs are limited to about 7kW. I would spend hours charging every 60 miles (or less if hills, or with heater on). Myself, I would be satisfied with 150 mile range at 65 mph with the heater on, and a charger and EVSEs that would permit me to recharge in less than 1 1/2 hour. I could then drive 150 miles stop for lunch, dinner, take a walk...while recharging, then drive another 150. But that likely wouldn't satisfy those who insist on the present convenience of an ice vehicle. They would require the Tesla range and fast charge stations - at least. Maybe someday. Currently I can charge my nominal 115V pack at a max of about 17 miles per hour charge time with my PFC30. If I upgrade to a 12kW charger I can increase that to about 50 mph - if the EVSE can handle it, or I use a 50A outlet at an RV park. Even then it would require about 1 1/3 hour to recharge the pack at 80% DoD. Like Peri, I'm not willing to do that about every hour on a long trip. I'm still waiting to upgrade my pack to 150+ mile range with some Envia 400kWh/kg cells before planning any long trips, assuming I can purchase such cells before I die :^)) -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/Re-EVSE-overcrowding-replaces-range-angst-tp4661763p4661813.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
