smart EQ - 12V battery maintenance

[ZZZZ]

Pretty certain the 'normal' 12V battery in electric car gets charged same way it does in ICE car - alternator, so the car has to be moving ... facing a couple of weeks without any need to drive, will charge the main battery as usual, however was wondering if I should fit a Maypole receptacle to the 12V battery and put it on?

 

[Tony Dyson]

Seems a wasted opportunity if a charging supply isn't sent to the 12v battery while the main batteries are being topped up? why don't you put a voltmeter across the 12v battery while the main batteries are getting a top up to confirm before you consider an independent 12v charge?

 

[Blobcat]

Why does an EV need a normal 12v battery? What exactly is it there to start...?

 

[ZZZZ]

Yeah, will do, thanks Tony, and I've no idea BC, but it certainly there

I do have a nice Maypole charger left from my old A200, and have a brand new spare receptacle lead, so no bother to fit and plug in.

I too think it should be possible to charge the 12V one, when the main battery is getting charged, but I remember seeing message on the screen, when the car was delivered, about 12V battery needing a charge ... the main battery was at 95% and the car had 14.5 miles on the clock.

 

[Tony Dyson]

I've no idea of the official design philosophy behind an independent 12v Battery but I would hazard a guess that in the case of the main battery approaching discharge states or developing a fault and having to partially or entirely shut down, you would still have a supply for all the lighting/vent and control circuits, hazard flashers and a supply for a scanner for diagnostics, I wonder if any of the 3rd party scanners have the facility to diagnose the EV's? they have been on the roads for some time now haven't they? I digress, I still see no reason why a charging supply couldn't be channeled to the 12v battery from the main battery charging circuit but adding your own independent charger does give you more personal control over the process.
Are you pleased with the overall performance of your new car @GLK ?

 

[onefortheroad]

Why does an EV need a normal 12v battery? What exactly is it there to start...?

Fairly sure its for things like lights, rear heated screen,radio etc etc. Nissan leafs have a solar panel at the rear to keep this battery topped up.

 

[ZZZZ]

I've no idea of the official design philosophy behind an independent 12v Battery ...

I shall read more on the subject and report back, or better still, someone experienced in the matter might chip in ...

Are you pleased with the overall performance of your new car?

Yes, everything other than the range (which I knew would be very limited) - it's agile (though limited to 85mph); excellent acceleration; surprisingly roomy inside; comfy modern seats and very nice steering wheel; remarkably quiet; love the turning circle; I literally ticked (okay, clicked) all available boxes when 'building' the car, so well specced (for a smart EQ).

A few niggles: don't like the flip out key - positively dated; head unit is not displaying album covers from my flash drive (worked perfectly well with my old Android unit in A200); almost got used to wipers and lights controls being in the 'wrong' place, same for release button on the gearshift; cruise is operated from the steering wheel via two separate buttons - ON/OFF and +/-, after years of flipping the lever up or down, back and forth, this is still a bit foreign to me, but I can now do it without looking, so getting there.

Overall, very pleased with it [/quote][/QUOTE]