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Why the BMW i3-REx

Discussion in 'EV (Electric Vehicle) Discussion' started by bwilson4web, May 15, 2016.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Introduction

    Having found the ShorePower, truck electrical stations midway between Huntsville AL and Nashville TN, I decided to do an all electric, round trip to measure times, distances, and costs.

    Huntsville To Nashville And Back
    • Arrive Tennessean Truck Stop - 6:37 to 7:39, started with 70 miles EV indicated at 100% SOC. Tripmeter reports 1:02 hr, 55 mi, average speed 54.0 mph. Connected to ShorePower getting 212VAC @30A, 6.36 kW but though power was on, took about two minutes to contact activation service for 2 hour charge, $3. Had breakfast and used excellent WiFi to plan Nashville destination, Green Hill YMCA, in Nashville. Found a data plate: Model TSE-4, Part: SP-0585-R02, 120/240 VAC, 102 Am NEMA 3Rm Wire Size: 4awg to 3/0, Intertek.
    • Arrive Green Hills YMCA EVgo - 9:43 to 10:48, left with 81%, 62 mi indicated. Arrived 13.5% with 11 mi indicated. Total distance 115 mi, 2:08 hr, 55.1 mph, 4.3 mi/kWh. Connected to EVgo which reported: 45 min and 8 seconds, 17.07 kWh, cost $15.75 at 11:36. I returned to charging station at 12:10 AM not realizing the charging session had ended. The e-mail notification was OK but an iPhone SMS text would have been more useful. Had a Lox cream cheese, toasted bagel for lunch.
    • Arrive Tennessean Truck Stop - 11:58 to 13:04, left with 96.5%, 69 mi indicated. 1:05 h duration, 60 mi, 3.9 mi/kWh, 56.8 mph. Arrived 12.5%, 9 mi indicated. Connected to ShorePower which was still hot without calling the enable service. Had a bowl of soup and set destination for the HSV fast DC charger. Left with 71% and 59 mi indicated to map distance of 49 mi.
    • Arrive HSV Fast DC charger - 14:55 to 15:57, ICE started 30 yards from charger, 6% and 6 mi indicated. Started charger and paid $0.25 parking meter fee.
    • Arrived home 17:14.
    Lessons Learned
    • The phantom charge is misleading. The last 91-100% charge does not have the same kWh of energy per percent as the lower percentages. This makes sense as the current falls off above 88% so it makes sense we are not storing the same kWh as before. So even though I left with an indicated 10 mile pad, I arrived at the HSV Fast DC charger at the threshold that just started the ICE. I stopped it in about ~10 seconds as I parked.
    • It appears ShorePower activation is 'honor system' at the Tennessean Truck Stop. I had to turn on the NEMA 14-50 circuit breaker but it was never turned off by their activation service.
    • Every hour of driving is ~2 hours of L2 charging at 208-210 VAC at 30 A. In contrast, a fast DC charger takes about 45 minutes. However, both suffer from a higher indicated charge in the 91-100% SOC level that does not have the same kWh energy level as the 81-90%. What this means is a detour to a fast DC charger needs to be less than an hour or you might as well use a full-power, L2 charger.
    • EV costs were $3, $15.75, and $0.25, for a total of $19.00. Had I driven on gas, it would have cost ~$12 and saved nearly 5 hours of charging. The total trip time was ~11 hours for both driving and charging.
    Bob Wilson
     
    #581 bwilson4web, Feb 12, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2019
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  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Now I can compare and contrast two routes, driving EV only, between Huntsville and Nashville:

    [​IMG][​IMG]

    Via direct route, 30A, 208VAC, L2: (GOOD, CHEAP)
    • Shortest distance, -30 mi., 114 mi
    • Cheapest charging, $3 (or honor system)
    • Longest time, +20 min, total 4hr 5 min
    Via detour to fast charger: (GOOD, FAST)
    • Longest distance, +30 mi., 143 mi
    • Most expensive, $12
    • Shortest time, -20 min, total 3hr 46 min
    Via direct route, REx: (FAST, CHEAP)
    • Shortest distance, 114 mi
    • Medium cost, $6, 2.3 gal
    • Shortest time, -1hr 40 min, total 2hr 5 min
    Bob Wilson

    ps. GOOD, FAST, CHEAP - pick two
     
    #582 bwilson4web, Feb 12, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2019
  3. el Crucero

    el Crucero Senior Member

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    Now, let's do that trip in my Tesla model 3MR with an "all out" range of 264 miles


    Huntsville 100%
    Nashville 56% 01:54 112 miles
    Huntsville 11% 01:57 112 miles

    253 Wh/mi
    total cost = $0.00 (i3 = ~$19.00, ICE = ~$12.00)
    time = 03:52 (i3 = ~11 hours, ICE = ~ 7 hours)
    total distance = 224 miles


    I picked all three, GOOD, FAST, CHEAP
     
    #583 el Crucero, Feb 12, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2019
  4. SAronian

    SAronian Active Member

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    Thank Bob,

    The best of many variables. Hoping 2019 offers a ramp up in fast DC locations.
     
  5. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    I've noticed that when plugged in to a charger, the heater no longer blows warm air. However, enabling pre-conditioning does blow warm air while on charger. But then comes the question of when, especially if traveling.

    As an experiment, I waited until the L2 charging current reached ~16A, about 50% of the normal 32A rate:
    [​IMG]
    The preconditioning load draws more current to heat the cabin. But this only brings the load up to the maximum the car can take. After a brief return to peak power, it ramps down but shares the load with battery charging. In effect, we are thermally charging the cabin while the battery charging ramps down.

    Bob Wilson
     
  6. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    My BMW i3 Saved My Life - BMW i3 Forum


    It took a second for the ACC to determine it could not safely stop on its own. It took a split second when the alarm went off to slam on the brakes, and in the next second I made a choice to attempt an evasive maneuver, as it was clear the car would not stop in time. Unfortunately I was hit my a 30-foot box truck hurtling full speed through the HOV lane. Before I knew what hit me (quite literally), my i3 lurched to a halt two lanes over.


    I was safe, save from a couple bruises. I didn't even have any cuts from the glass debris. The i3's construction saved me from serious injury or worse. Unfortunately though, this ends my 2-year relationship with the car. In that time I put nearly 22,000 miles of nearly pure commuting on the car.

    It was all caught on dashcam.

    Full album: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmARETR7

    [​IMG]
    Accident 2019-02-14
    by Aaron Slater, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Where it died
    by Aaron Slater, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Interior Damage
    by Aaron Slater, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Interior Damage
    by Aaron Slater, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Interior Damage
    by Aaron Slater, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Interior Damage
    by Aaron Slater, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Interior Damage
    by Aaron Slater, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    The Morning After
    by Aaron Slater, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    The Morning After
    by Aaron Slater, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    The Morning After
    by Aaron Slater, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Rear Damage
    by Aaron Slater, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Rear Damage
    by Aaron Slater, on Flickr

    [​IMG]
    Damaged Frame
    by Aaron Slater, on Flickr​

     
    #586 bwilson4web, Feb 18, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2019
  7. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    ^^^
    Ouch! I first I thought it was you Bob, then I watched the video and realized it was So Cal. Then, I saw the So Cal plates.

    Unfortunately, I think that i3 driver might end up getting ruled at fault for making an unsafe lane change, even if it were to avoid rear-ending someone.

    Unfortunately (?), my new '19 Bolt doesn't have adaptive cruise control (not even as a option) but it does have one display in the dash that I leave up for "follow distance". It tells you how far apart you are from the car in front in seconds. It ranges from 0 or near 0 up to 2.5 seconds. Above 2.5 seconds, it unfortunately only displays >2.5 seconds. I leave that display up always to help me keep my distance from cars in front.
     
  8. SAronian

    SAronian Active Member

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    That is an unfortunate accident and it looks like the i3 design prevented the injuries. I have had the automatic braking engage once, and it was so last second that I braced for an impact which did not occur. The brakes were automatically applied with more force than I thought possible and the car stopped with several inches to spare.
     
  9. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    I thought all i3 Cars have adaptive cruise control. Shouldn't there have been automatic stopping/warning?
    .
     
  10. el Crucero

    el Crucero Senior Member

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    We'll never know since the driver decided to bail into another lane rather than let the electronics stop the car. He pulled into the path of the truck in the lane to his left and the truck hit him. In the same circumstances, I can see a lot of drivers doing the same thing whether they have ACC, TACC, EAP. or not trusting their brakes. There, but for the grace of dog, go I. I think there is a good chance this driver will be found at fault because he probably was following too closely behind the car in front to stop in time without leaving his lane. I always set my EAP to the maximum "7" on the freeway in an attempt to not become a statistic.
     
  11. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The car gave the warning and started braking before the driver decided to evade.
     
  12. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    I guess if anything, this just goes to show how far we actually are away from fully autonomous driving cars.
    .
     
  13. GasperG

    GasperG Senior Member

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    No, this just shows how far BMW i3 from 2013 is from the autonomous driving car.
     
    el Crucero likes this.
  14. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Or it shows how far away we are from having people trust the automated systems.
     
  15. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    ok if you say so. Here's a link to a Tesla video just moments before nearly running over a guy & driver taking control in just the nick of time.

    I'm sorry ...... but what car is nearly ready for autonomous? As an owner of both AP1 & ap2, the hardware used for AP1 (mobileye) which Tesla gave up on, is still Superior (in the opinion of many owners who've used both) - in some instances - such as forward collision avoidance.
    Not saying the system isn't great, just speaking from experience. You see, a fully autonomous system needs to not only do a nice job, it has to take into account for every deer, moose, stupid person, cow, etc that might run out into the road. So there's no need to get all uppity against the i3.
    .
     
  16. GasperG

    GasperG Senior Member

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    I just wanted to point out that certain models will have certain system, that are capable of certain things. I don't believe that systems that we see in current production cars are where we are today.

    It may be that we are almost there but the cost is just too high. Tesla is doing it the other way around, using fairly simple sensors but trying to make up in computer processing, but still Tesla may not be the reference where the technology is today.
     
  17. el Crucero

    el Crucero Senior Member

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    Well, how many Over The Air software updates has i3 had since 2013? How about a 2018 i3? It is difficult to make improvements in older cars without OTA updates. There is only one maker I know of who does that and it is not BMW.

    There is no "autonomous driving" available at this time by any maker but could be by the end of this year. The subject accident was caused by driver error.
     
  18. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Many of the 'lease' BMW i3 are loaded with options. But if you buy one, you can 'cheap' yourself into something I would not touch with a 10 ft GM pole(cat.)

    I drive on dynamic cruise control all the time. I have seen the emergency BRAKE message at least once a year and am grateful! Most often, it is a driver who pulls in front cutting their leading and my safety space into frightening short distances, 3-4 yards (m).

    Bob Wilson
     
  19. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    After visiting a hardware store, a flat:
    [​IMG]
    The offender is in the upper left corner.

    Some sort of sheet metal screw based upon the head:
    [​IMG]

    Using a flat, get it high enough to grasp the head:
    [​IMG]

    Needle nose, vice grips make it easy to unscrew:
    [​IMG]

    More easily than trying to remove with the flat screw driver:
    [​IMG]

    Here is the little bugger. The flat head allows it to rest in the parking lot, pointy end up:
    [​IMG]

    Unfortunately, no space to work on the repair. So a handy biological (pine needle) went in the tire so the car could back up enough to work on it. I probably should have just backed up with the original object to make it easier to take out:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    So here is the plug in the 'needle' tool to insert. The infernal needle tool:
    [​IMG]
    Covered in adhesive, it made an impressive wad and would not go in the tire. I briefly thought of backing up over the tool to force it in ... but came up with another approach.

    I had 'rasped' the hole larger but decided to try a flat screw driver:
    [​IMG]
    It appears to have worked. The wide-side of the flat screw driver avoids clumping up the plug at the entrance of the hole. I am thinking about getting a similar flat and grinding it in about 1-2 mm with very narrow shoulders. The wider surface area will avoid the clumping.

    So I put a plastic bag over the external, patch wadding, and backed over it:
    [​IMG]

    Now to go test it.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  20. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    How did the tire repair go?