Electric Car thread
- Thread starter WattsUpDude
- Start date
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
The first electric supported glider flight in New Zealand ended in a ball of flame and a dead pilot.
www.nzherald.co.nz
Battery fire caused glider crash that killed Far North pilot
The fire would have spread quickly and filled the cockpit with toxic fumes.
www.nzherald.co.nz
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Well plenty of gas powered planes have caught fire, but there simply is something more inherent in their energy storage that people can relate to.
Is it leaking, does that pipe look dodgy, is that exhaust melting something, it smells funny.
Batteries can look completely fine, but inside they can be one jolt away from disaster.
Electric paramotors are becoming mainstream, 4Kwh battery strapped to your back, is it worse than a plastic tank of gasoline?
Would you notice a leak before a fire?
Hot air balloons scare the bejesus out of me, massive gas flame inches from the thin structure that holds the entire thing in the air, massive HP tanks of propane right next to you.
My mates do call me the doomster
Is it leaking, does that pipe look dodgy, is that exhaust melting something, it smells funny.
Batteries can look completely fine, but inside they can be one jolt away from disaster.
Electric paramotors are becoming mainstream, 4Kwh battery strapped to your back, is it worse than a plastic tank of gasoline?
Would you notice a leak before a fire?
Hot air balloons scare the bejesus out of me, massive gas flame inches from the thin structure that holds the entire thing in the air, massive HP tanks of propane right next to you.
My mates do call me the doomster
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Another battery recycling plant goes up.
Fire at Kilwinning battery recycling plant enters second night
Residents have been urged to stay at home and close windows as crews continue to tackle the blaze.
www.bbc.co.uk
Sparky731
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
A friend here and I took a road trip in my Honda CRV hybrid yesterday. He hadn’t driven a hybrid before so we chatted about several different features of such vehicles.
However, I neglected to mention one feature that was although not unique to this vehicle, had at one time made me think, huh? This time different?
Anyway, there is this feature I was first reluctant to use. But it is not unique to this car and I have frequently pressed the same labeled button on previous cars. You likely have the same or very similar feature on your cars.
Initially I had to think through just how it might function being it possibly a new, and possibly a radically new design and such.
But, eventually one day I felt oddly compelled to use it. Anyway, I have pushed the button and it does work.
Although you may now give an extra pause and thought each time you press the button in your car.
It is labeled “rear wiper.”
However, I neglected to mention one feature that was although not unique to this vehicle, had at one time made me think, huh? This time different?
Anyway, there is this feature I was first reluctant to use. But it is not unique to this car and I have frequently pressed the same labeled button on previous cars. You likely have the same or very similar feature on your cars.
Initially I had to think through just how it might function being it possibly a new, and possibly a radically new design and such.
But, eventually one day I felt oddly compelled to use it. Anyway, I have pushed the button and it does work.
Although you may now give an extra pause and thought each time you press the button in your car.
It is labeled “rear wiper.”
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
The first time I pressed the rear wiper button on my new Buick, nothing happened. At least I thought nothing happened, since I couldn't see the wiper moving in the rearview mirror.
Then, it occurred to me the rearview mirror is actually a camera mounted on the rear hatch above the glass where it can't see the wiper.
Good thing I discovered this before making a complete idiot of myself by making a service appointment.
Then, it occurred to me the rearview mirror is actually a camera mounted on the rear hatch above the glass where it can't see the wiper.
Good thing I discovered this before making a complete idiot of myself by making a service appointment.
WattsUpDude
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- San Francisco, Bay Area
You use the digital mirror full time? I appreciate that it’s available when I have things stacked in the hatch blocking the actual mirror but it’s not something I like to use daily.The first time I pressed the rear wiper button on my new Buick, nothing happened. At least I thought nothing happened, since I couldn't see the wiper moving in the rearview mirror.
Then, it occurred to me the rearview mirror is actually a camera mounted on the rear hatch above the glass where it can't see the wiper.
Good thing I discovered this before making a complete idiot of myself by making a service appointment.
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
Yes, I use the camera mirrors in all three of my vehicles. I like the fact that the field of view can be adjusted for different driving conditions. They are also self dimming and adjust for ambient light conditions, as well as the headlights on following vehicles.
There is a learning curve associated with their use though. The camera lens can also get fouled by road debris. One of my vehicles has a lens cleaner, but it must be done manually on the other two.
All can be quickly flipped up to convert to a standard mirror if necessary.
scrambler
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Bay Area, CA
I was very excited at the prospect of getting a digital camera mirror when we bought our Bolt, but after trying it, I had to give up.
I don't know if it is an age thing, but the focal distance change taking place when going from looking at the road to looking at the mirror gave me a headache.
I think that these mirrors should not be placed where the traditional mirror is, but at the bottom middle of the windshield.
This would have two major advantages:
First you would not have to take your eyes of the road so much, so it would be safer.
And second, the distance from your eyes would be longer, hopefully easing out the focal distance shift.
The only reason traditional mirrors are where they are, is because this is the only way to get a line of sight to the back road, but with camera mirror, this is no longer an issue. Similar to heads up display that are placed right in front of the driver at the bottom of the windshield.
My 2 cents
I don't know if it is an age thing, but the focal distance change taking place when going from looking at the road to looking at the mirror gave me a headache.
I think that these mirrors should not be placed where the traditional mirror is, but at the bottom middle of the windshield.
This would have two major advantages:
First you would not have to take your eyes of the road so much, so it would be safer.
And second, the distance from your eyes would be longer, hopefully easing out the focal distance shift.
The only reason traditional mirrors are where they are, is because this is the only way to get a line of sight to the back road, but with camera mirror, this is no longer an issue. Similar to heads up display that are placed right in front of the driver at the bottom of the windshield.
My 2 cents
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
I agree, they are not for everyone. The salesman told me candidly that they make some drivers nauseous. Luckily, it's simple to switch to a conventional mirror.
Another thing I find annoying is, camera mirrors, like convex mirrors, make things appear farther away. This often causes other drivers who use them to cut you off when changing lanes.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
There was an advert on the radio today for the new BMW EV suv, the entire advert was its connectivity features and the full dash screen that plays video games.
presumably to keep the kids entertained while you are geofenced to balance the grid.
Or 200 dollars for a premium pass to get home
presumably to keep the kids entertained while you are geofenced to balance the grid.
Or 200 dollars for a premium pass to get home
Taylor57
Well-Known Member
I am already getting range anxiety on my next trip with my EV and it's not til June!!
"Our planning timeframe is a lot longer than election cycles," he [Bill Ford] said.
Jim in Central CA
Active Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Oakdale
I considered taking the plunge and getting a Tesla 3 at the end of last year while the $7,500 tax credit was still in place. Even went for a test drive, and enjoyed it. However, when it came down to it I could not reconcile the cost with the limited range. My hope is that my next car will be a PHEV. This will give me the best of both worlds where virtually all of my driving will be electric only, I can charge it in my garage each evening, and when I have to go on a longer trip I will get the efficiency benefit of a hybrid but not have to worry about range anxiety.
Sparky731
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
The EOY T3 sales were compelling, but also lost on me, although the driving experience is exhilarating. But so is driving my S2000. Daily drive now is Honda CRV Hybrid and am enjoying the ride. When my wife lets me drive it.
Had the opportunity to ride in a Tesla this week. My brother just bought one and this was his first ling trip. We were meeting at a cabin; I was arriving from my house (8 hr according to google maps). He spent the night before 6 hours from the cabin (according to google maps.) Actual driving time for me 8 hrs 45 minutes. Actual time for him using either 3rd party app or car computer for "refills" recommendations, a smidge over 8 hours.
I'm 6'2, had to recline front seat to sit in it; but the seat was comfortable. To close the door, had to duck head to reach door handle.
I found the big screen distracting since every time a car was approaching, I caught it on the screen out of the corner of my eye and looked to see what was happening.
He has elected not to try the auto drive that was pushed out. He assumes "stuff" is visable to control the car the same time he sees it on the screen; most of the time he likes the distance he sees better than the distance the car sees.
If you are wondering what model, "a red one".
I'm 6'2, had to recline front seat to sit in it; but the seat was comfortable. To close the door, had to duck head to reach door handle.
I found the big screen distracting since every time a car was approaching, I caught it on the screen out of the corner of my eye and looked to see what was happening.
He has elected not to try the auto drive that was pushed out. He assumes "stuff" is visable to control the car the same time he sees it on the screen; most of the time he likes the distance he sees better than the distance the car sees.
If you are wondering what model, "a red one".
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