A Bit different

alexanderfoti

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I have quite an interest in electric vehicles and have started to look at fixing them.

I have a Vectrix VX-1. Its an electric maxi scooter that was approx £10,000 when new, and was far ahead of its time. Unfortunately, due to to NIMH batteries, it has not stood the test of time.

The company went bust in 2012, but I have taken to swapping nissan leaf battery packs into them, its almost like they were made for them.

As a result, people are now contacting me, asking me to help fix their vehicles that have no support in the uk.



Its always something new over here!

Hers my Fazer electric conversion, just to round off the electric fun:



currently having its packs swapped for higher capacity ones.
 

Tony Dyson

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I have quite an interest in electric vehicles and have started to look at fixing them.

I have a Vectrix VX-1. Its an electric maxi scooter that was approx £10,000 when new, and was far ahead of its time. Unfortunately, due to to NIMH batteries, it has not stood the test of time.

The company went bust in 2012, but I have taken to swapping nissan leaf battery packs into them, its almost like they were made for them.

As a result, people are now contacting me, asking me to help fix their vehicles that have no support in the uk.



Its always something new over here!

Hers my Fazer electric conversion, just to round off the electric fun:



currently having its packs swapped for higher capacity ones.

This, in my considered opinion has the potential to evolve into the biggest discussion on the forum, hat's off to you and anyone else who ventures into the world of electric cars and their related technologies, once the hybrid's have been made redundant by reliable and appropriate capacity batteries, the qualifications required to run an automobile workshop will have changed significantly and there's nothing like experience that will assist in that transformation.
 
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alexanderfoti

alexanderfoti

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This, in my considered opinion has the potential to evolve into the biggest discussion on the forum, hat's off to you and anyone else who ventures into the world of electric cars and their related technologies, once the hybrid's have been made redundant by reliable and appropriate capacity batteries, the qualifications required to run an automobile workshop will have changed significantly and there's nothing like experience that will assist in that transformation.

I agree, I can see the transformation occuring already and the only common thing is that the cars have 4 wheels (or 2 in the form of bikes).

Lots of potential for very dangerous injuries as well, so lots of training to do,

I would love to have a B250 electric drive, but their fast AC charging setup is 22KW max, compared to 43kw for the Zoe. Their real world range is 60-70 miles, around half of the zoe, so fast charging is even more important.

Fast DC is available at 40KW for the B250e but not available in the UK
 

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I agree, I can see the transformation occuring already and the only common thing is that the cars have 4 wheels (or 2 in the form of bikes).

Lots of potential for very dangerous injuries as well, so lots of training to do,

I would love to have a B250 electric drive, but their fast AC charging setup is 22KW max, compared to 43kw for the Zoe. Their real world range is 60-70 miles, around half of the zoe, so fast charging is even more important.

Fast DC is available at 40KW for the B250e but not available in the UK
Have you seen this series of videos, starts at the very basics and gives some more detailed info later.
 
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alexanderfoti

alexanderfoti

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Yes I have subscribed to diagnosis Dan for a while, his videos are great.
 

Tony Dyson

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I agree, I can see the transformation occuring already and the only common thing is that the cars have 4 wheels (or 2 in the form of bikes).

Lots of potential for very dangerous injuries as well, so lots of training to do,

I would love to have a B250 electric drive, but their fast AC charging setup is 22KW max, compared to 43kw for the Zoe. Their real world range is 60-70 miles, around half of the zoe, so fast charging is even more important.

Fast DC is available at 40KW for the B250e but not available in the UK
"Lots of potential for very dangerous injuries as well, so lots of training to do,"

This I would argue should be paramount and the first thing to be addressed before anyone ever goes near an electric vehicle, historically the worst you would experience as an auto technician would be a snap from a HT Coil which had the potential to burn but they didn't have the capacity to deliver any substantial levels of current to cause any serious side effects, the high voltages and high currents associated with today's electric vehicles do. We have 5 senses, you can’t see it, you can’t smell it, you can’t hear it, you can’t taste it but you can feel it and by time you have is possibly too late.
 

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Have you seen this series of videos, starts at the very basics and gives some more detailed info later.

I too have seen this video and while it's very informative from a practical point of view, it cannot replace a formal qualification which is where any professional business needs to go. And with all courses involving Electricity above Low Voltage Bands there will be at least 5 days of Health Safety and First Aid training tailored to the relative industry, all of which has served me well and helped to keep me alive and kicking (just :)) all these Years!
 

Oldspanners

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If you need "formal qualifications" then this is the place to start. It gives you some insight into what will be required and stimulates your curiosity.
 

Tony Dyson

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If you need "formal qualifications" then this is the place to start. It gives you some insight into what will be required and stimulates your curiosity.
Well this may be the way in your world Oldspanners but in mine, the theory should always precede the practical.
 

Oldspanners

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Well this may be the way in your world Oldspanners but in mine, the theory should always precede the practical.
That's exactly what the videos are showing you.
If after that you need "formal qualifications" then that's the path to take.
You need to stimulate interest and curiosity otherwise there would never be any development, neither technological nor personal.
 

ajlsl600

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I agree, I can see the transformation occuring already and the only common thing is that the cars have 4 wheels (or 2 in the form of bikes).

Lots of potential for very dangerous injuries as well, so lots of training to do,

I would love to have a B250 electric drive, but their fast AC charging setup is 22KW max, compared to 43kw for the Zoe. Their real world range is 60-70 miles, around half of the zoe, so fast charging is even more important.

Fast DC is available at 40KW for the B250e but not available in the UK

good luck wid dat.!!! at 62 this yr i anticipate the only mobile electric devise i will need to have an understanding of in the next ten yr will be my Quingo and mobile.! for the sheer fun of it i WILL run my stimmers on castrol R mix and i will still race my mower round the garden even if some snowflake kicks up a fuss, probably more so. watch out for H&E ,they will try to complicate yr electrickery plans beyond belief
 

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Good on you Alex. Electric bikes and cars are most certainly the way transport is shifting, fortunately I won't be around to have to experience it being compulsory;)

I just wonder how many charging points and power stations will have to be built to accommodate everything electric.
The future of relying on totally electric vehicles is lot further away than ministers realise I think.
 

ajlsl600

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something thrust on unsuspecting public without proper consideration of all the ramifications methinks. whats new ?
 

AMGeed

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.! for the sheer fun of it i WILL run my stimmers on castrol R mix and i will still race my mower round the garden even if some snowflake kicks up a fuss, probably more so. watch out for H&E ,they will try to complicate yr electrickery plans beyond belief

Ah, my contempt for H&S knows no bounds. Another body invented to raise money at the expense of everyone who has the misfortune to cross their path. Thank heaven I retired before the loonies with clipboards actually tell you how to do your job.

The stories I have heard from mouths ofH&S expurts(sic) expose the lie that its all about personal safety. Its not.
 

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Ah, my contempt for H&S knows no bounds. Another body invented to raise money at the expense of everyone who has the misfortune to cross their path. Thank heaven I retired before the loonies with clipboards actually tell you how to do your job.

The stories I have heard from mouths ofH&S expurts(sic) expose the lie that its all about personal safety. Its not.
The problem is that it has pretty much killed off our ability to compete in a world market (for anything that isn’t specialised). We (because we’re nice) follow all the rules to keep everyone nice and safe which massively impacts upon cost which our competitors overseas don’t have to follow (well they do but they don’t) so we’re safe but screwed.
 

ajlsl600

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i have come in conflict with plenty of them in mining and construction . i also retired ,thank god. as far as H&S concerned i was to be kept in glass jar and only break in event of war..... if yr devoid of any kind of common sense yr qualified for H&S
 

AMGeed

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The problem is that it has pretty much killed off our ability to compete in a world market (for anything that isn’t specialised). We (because we’re nice) follow all the rules to keep everyone nice and safe which massively impacts upon cost which our competitors overseas don’t have to follow (well they do but they don’t) so we’re safe but screwed.

Quite true Russ.

Its all about the money and litigation.
In construction for example a main contractor cannot start work without a public liability insurance. The insurance companies insist the contactor complies to its crazy rules or they won't insure them. H&S make sure the rules are being followed or its slapped wrist time.
Meanwhile, the subcontractor has to price for all kinds of mad thinking which pushes up the cost and slows the job down.
Result= higher costs for everyone.


I was once told by an H&S clipboard nazi to put my shirt back on one warm summer afternoon. I refused and told him to go to the beach and order everyone to cover up. He explained he couldn't care less if I got sunburned and 10 years down the line contracted skin cancer. He was there to make sure I covered up and couldn't sue the company I worked for.

Anyway, sorry I went OT for a moment there:D
 

AMGeed

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i have come in conflict with plenty of them in mining and construction . i also retired ,thank god. as far as H&S concerned i was to be kept in glass jar and only break in event of war..... if yr devoid of any kind of common sense yr qualified for H&S

H&S is mainly staffed by people who failed to become a proper trademan. At least it appeared that way in my time in construction. Thank heavens I'm well out of it too.
 

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Quite true Russ.

Its all about the money and litigation.
In construction for example a main contractor cannot start work without a public liability insurance. The insurance companies insist the contactor complies to its crazy rules or they won't insure them. H&S make sure the rules are being followed or its slapped wrist time.
Meanwhile, the subcontractor has to price for all kinds of mad thinking which pushes up the cost and slows the job down.
Result= higher costs for everyone.


I was once told by an H&S clipboard nazi to put my shirt back on one warm summer afternoon. I refused and told him to go to the beach and order everyone to cover up. He explained he couldn't care less if I got sunburned and 10 years down the line contracted skin cancer. He was there to make sure I covered up and couldn't sue the company I worked for.

Anyway, sorry I went OT for a moment there:D
I’m on some very nice aged whisky, if you want to chill I can recommend a few.
 

keefysher

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Well this may be the way in your world Oldspanners but in mine, the theory should always precede the practical.

Your world has provided me a lifetime of experiences all over the real world putting right the failed theory :rolleyes::geek::D:cool:

People wearing Kevlar (other trade names are available) body armour are probably very happy it works due to practical application from failed theory. Winter tyres from failed theory in a totally different application. Fibre optic cable production for failed theory, and a fair few others.

I wonder what field of expertise you hold Professional Registration in :rolleyes:
 

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