Sorry to hear your latest issue Ali. That's the trouble with a development vehicle, but once the troubles are out the way, you'll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labour.So we have good news, bad news and worse news!
The good news is the plumbing is complete with the heater and pump mounted.
The bad news is there is a leak.
The worse news is the leak is behind the battery box where the pipes connect to the heater matrix and so the battery box along with HV and LV junction box all have to come out to get at it.
Any which way I look at it the car will be off the road for a couple of weeks as I will be busy with work all next week.
The only positive spin I can put on it is with the LV junction box disconnected I now have the opportunity to install the fuse holders I bought and so will tidy up the LV box.
I have two of these so should have enough connections. https://ebay.us/lTg5aj
They're expensive over in NZ.The project that keeps on giving
Which isn't such a bad thing.
Thinking back to when I did Airfix kits and the like. They were a lot of fun putting together, but once finished, all the interest was lost.
So as long as you can enjoy it between 'episodes', I recon that's a win-win
This afternoon we're off to have a look at this...
Trade Me
www.trademe.co.nz
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If we get it, it will never be 'electrified', however, its first road trip may be to Dunedin to pick up another car that may be
Used EV's have dropped in price by a lot in the last year so there are bargains out there. I would love to buy a Tesla but I need a hatchback or estate with minimum 225 mile range for work (preferably 250 mile) and Model Y's are too new. I was looking at a MG5 estate that would suit but they are still more than I want to spend. An eNiro would be suitable too.They're expensive over in NZ.
No point in trying to make one electric. I'd love to have a go, but the electronics make such things all but impossible.
I'll be buying an EV once the girls have finished university.
Dunno what 2nd hand battery packs are like in the UK in terms of price and condition, but would it be possible to add extra capacity to the Freelander?Used EV's have dropped in price by a lot in the last year so there are bargains out there. I would love to buy a Tesla but I need a hatchback or estate with minimum 225 mile range for work (preferably 250 mile) and Model Y's are too new. I was looking at a MG5 estate that would suit but they are still more than I want to spend. An eNiro would be suitable too.
Ironically I could have bought a decent EV for the money I've spent on my project but I have no regrets.
My work is so intermittent I might sell the Merc when the current contract is finished and use my Freelander EV for most local driving then borrow SWMBO's car for any journeys further than 80 miles. Until I sort out fast charging I can't travel much more than 40 miles from home.
Honestly I had considered that but I've already increased the weight of the car by a couple of hundred kilos so don't really have much spare capacity. Also the load space is very useful and practical at the moment so I don't want to fill it with more batteries The current range would be acceptable if I had fast charging so that is on the 'To do' list after sorting the heater and automating the charging.Dunno what 2nd hand battery packs are like in the UK in terms of price and condition, but would it be possible to add extra capacity to the Freelander?
Maybe as a detachable "expansion pack" that you load into the boot when needed? You'd need some form of bespoke lift to put it in and store it on when not in use. Might need some meatier springs on the back! Probably pushing the limit on the brakes to.
Maybe not such a clever idea!
Interestingly Tesla models have dropped alarmingly over the last 12 months. I suspect this it due to the RRP of them being cut by many thousands of £.Used EV's have dropped in price by a lot in the last year so there are bargains out there. I would love to buy a Tesla but I need a hatchback or estate with minimum 225 mile range for work (preferably 250 mile) and Model Y's are too new. I was looking at a MG5 estate that would suit but they are still more than I want to spend. An eNiro would be suitable too.
Ironically I could have bought a decent EV for the money I've spent on my project but I have no regrets.
My work is so intermittent I might sell the Merc when the current contract is finished and use my Freelander EV for most local driving then borrow SWMBO's car for any journeys further than 80 miles. Until I sort out fast charging I can't travel much more than 40 miles from home.
Have a look at the BMW iX3…. Similar money to the model Y. Like you, I have no interest in driving an iPad around, and wanted something that still looks like a ‘car’. The iX3 is the ICE car but with EV instead. Very easy to drive, and enjoyable.Interestingly Tesla models have dropped alarmingly over the last 12 months. I suspect this it due to the RRP of them being cut by many thousands of £.
MG on the other hand haven't dropped anything like as much on the second hand market. I'd happily have an MG4, but the prices of those are holding up well on the second hand market.
If I want to stick with something similar to my FL2, then at the moment a Model Y looks like the bast option, although I'm not keen on the lack of dashboard or HUD. Otherwise it would fit in every other way, and it's aluminium too, so doesn't suffer corrosion like steel body vehicles.
I'm sure you'll get your FLEV fast charging sorted Ali.
I was mighty peeved when I saw the issue but have got over it and am now getting on with sorting the problem. I've started to strip down the LV junction box and at the same time am documenting everything to make it a bit easier to figure out when I go to install the fuse holders.
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I'm taking the opportunity to tidy things up a bit which will make future fault finding or additions much easier.
TBH I was sorely tempted to put it all back together and live without a heater but I figured now was as good a time as any to sort it and the LV box at the same time.
I'm looking on ebay for hoses that will fit and reducers as I've kinda run out of suitable hose to cut down. I need a pre made right angle or it will only kink. I think the issue may have been caused by forcing on a hose that was not suitable but can't be sure until I get in there.
I'm not a fan of the look of the BMW, the front has a look that only a mother could love.Have a look at the BMW iX3…. Similar money to the model Y. Like you, I have no interest in driving an iPad around, and wanted something that still looks like a ‘car’. The iX3 is the ICE car but with EV instead. Very easy to drive, and enjoyable.
Real world range (in winter) is safely around 220m, depending on speed etc.
Yes, the Fisker is nice - but I can’t help being reminded of a RR Evoque-ish shape when looking side-on at them.I'm not a fan of the look of the BMW, the front has a look that only a mother could love.
I actually quite like the look of the Fisker Ocean, which might well be a contender. I'm looking at 3 years time, so there'll be more vehicles on the second hand market by then.
They are built by the same crowd that built the Jag I-Pace and the likes of these...Yes, the Fisker is nice - but I can’t help being reminded of a RR Evoque-ish shape when looking side-on at them.
Certainly a lot more EVs coming out now at more sensible numbers.