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EV Charging Stations Posted on December 24, 2020 17:34:39.

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Crescent City Trip EV charging stations Posted on December 24, 2020 17:34:30.

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Mendocino area EV charging stations Posted on February 16, 2020 08:52:54.

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2019-09-22 e-Golf Drive SLO to Santa Rosa Posted on September 22, 2019 17:31:30.

e-Golf SLO to Santa Rosa
September 22, 2019

Left SLO with 31/32 capacity at 7:24 AM, 65 degrees, 20820 miles odometer reading. Drove the speed limit except between Paso Robles and King City and didn’t use air conditioning until after King City.

Fast charged in Paso Robles at Cool Hand Luke’s Steakhouse ChargePoint, 1111 Riverside Ave. 24 mi, 20849, 7:56 arrival, 35 mins to charge, started at 72%, ended full, no interruptions. Slower 25 kW charger. Got bagels and coffee at Oak Pass Cafe; dark roast was too bitter but decaf, latte, bagel and bagel sandwich were all good.

Hypermiled 100 miles between Paso Robles and Salinas to make sure we could stay above 20%. It’s 680’ downhill and there was no noticeable headwind, but just to be sure I drove 55 MPH to King City even in the 70 MPH section where there was almost no traffic so it was easy for the few cars to pass me. The slow chargers at King City at 615 Canal Street next to the decommissioned ChargePoint fast charger is 52 miles from Paso Robles, so we needed to be above 58% when we got to King City to skip using them; if we were below 58% we would need to charge the same amount above 58% assuming constant efficiency, but the wind speed could increase. But if we only used the slow charger to top up it wouldn’t add too much time. Say we came in at 48% so we had to charge to 68% or +20%, that would take about 1 hour at level 2 charge rate. But fortunately we arrived at 21/32 or 66% so we skipped it. The temp at 9:50 AM was only 79 degrees so not using air conditioning was OK. After King City the traffic picked up so I started driving the speed limit again to be safe. Arrived at Salinas fast charger at Nob Hill Foods EVGo, 1320 South Main St. at 10:44 AM with 34% capacity, ODO 20949. Took the Monterey Peninsula exit to get there. Note that this is higher than the 25% in the reverse direction 5 days earlier, but the other direction was started at 95% instead of 100% and was traveled at 65 MPH and was 680’ uphill so the latter two changes only made a 4% difference.

Determined that driving slowly does matter by setting the cruise control on a flat straight stretch, letting it stabilize, then writing down 10 instantaneous efficiency data points spaced 5-10 seconds apart:
55 PMH: 6.32 mi/kWh avg, 0.68 mi/kWh standard deviation, 226 mile range if driven steady from full with 35.8 kWh pack
60 MPH: 5.29 mi/kWh, 0.52 mi/kWh standard deviation, 189 mile range, 16% worse
65 MPH: 4.65 mi/kWh, 0.41 mi/kWh standard deviation, 166 mile range, 26% worse
70 MPH: 3.94 mi/kWh, 0.39 mi/kWh standard deviation, 141 mile range, 37% worse
Granted this is fraught with error such as slope and wind speed and accelerations make a big difference, so more study is prudent.

Fast charged at Milpitas Great Mall EVGo, 447 Great Mall Drive, 67 miles from Salinas, 12:42 PM 45% start, 98% end after 45 minutes. ODO 21016. Ate at Chipotle on the far side of the mall, took the whole 45 minutes to walk there and the restrooms and back. Lots of clothing stores.

Drove 97 miles home to Santa Rosa, arrived at ODO 21113 3:25 PM, 293 miles, 8:01 door to door vs. 4:30 hours minimum driving time at the speed limit with no traffic, but there was at least 0:40 of traffic slowdown at Gilroy, San Jose, Oakland and Novato, so with 2:05 charge time and 0:12 slower driving between Paso Robles and King City it probably would have taken 5:45 using gasoline stopping once for gas and bathroom and once for lunch. So we added about 2:15 to drive our 125 mile range EV. Worth every minute to me, given we did it without gasoline. I will prefer it in the future over gasoline if it is an optional trip such as going for a visit or seeing a show. We don’t need to rush. We kept ourselves busy eating and analyzing data, but we could bring books and computers and do homework or doodle or take a walk while charging.

2019-09-17 e-Golf Drive Santa Rosa to SLO Posted on September 21, 2019 17:39:03.

Santa Rosa to SLO, 9/17

Depart Santa Rosa
100%

Arrive in Milpitas
64 mi range
39%
5.1 mi/kWh
No AC (outside 65-75F)

Fast charge for 43 minutes, 19.9 kWh

Depart Milpitas
164 mi range
99%

Arrive Salinas
81 mi range
17/32
4.6 mi/kwh
AC 78F (outside 75-80F)

Slow charge for 25 minutes, 2.9 kWh
Fast charge for 24 minutes, 11.5 kWh
(fast charge started at 60%)

Depart Salinas
95%

Charger not working in King City
4.8 mi/kWh
AC 78F (outside 75-80F)

Arrive Paso Robles
33 mi range
25%
4.6 mi/kWh
AC 78F (outside 75-80F)

Fast charge for 10 minutes, 2.4 kWh, then fault
Fast charge for 16 minutes, 4.7 kWh

Depart Paso Robles
70 mi range
50%

Arrive SLO
40 mi range
1/4

Setting 2017 e-Golf Charge Level Posted on August 20, 2019 08:46:09.

Set 2017 eGolf Charge Level

By default an EV will charge to 100% for maximum range. But you can set it lower to extend battery life by reducing the expansion of the cathode as it absorbs lithium ions during charging which reduces the mechanical strain on the materials that leads to micro cracking and breakdown over repeated cycles. 80% is recommended, since it is the knee of the curve for lithium — lower doesn’t help battery life much but does inhibit your range significantly.

To disable or enable reduced charging mode one time from charging port:
- Open charge port.
- Insert charging plug, making sure it clicks. Yellow light should come on, then green light should start pulsating as it starts charging.
- Press upper button to override reduced charging mode and charge to max level.
- Press lower button with clock icon to enable reduced charging mode, if selected from console.

To disable or enable reduced charging mode persistently from console:
- Press “Car” button on console.
- Tap eManager icon, second icon from left along the bottom. If label not showing, hover your finger over the icons and the name of the icon will pop up.
- To disable reduced charge mode, tap to uncheck all Departure Times.
- To enable reduced charge mode, tap to select desired Departure Time. Example: the first one on the top row.
- Tap turnaround arrow icon in upper right to go back to main menu.

To configure reduced charging mode:
- Press “Car” button on console.
- Tap eManager icon.
- Tap right arrow on the right of the Departure Time that you want to change.
- Tap to set Departure Time. Example: 5 AM.
- Tap to select Days. Example: select all 7.
- Tap Charging Location.
- Tap right arrow on desired location. Example: Home.
- Tap along horizontal line to set Max Battery Charge Level in 10% increments. Example: 80%
- Optional: tap Max Charge Current and select 5, 10, 13 or Max Amps. Example: Max is approximately 32 amps, but lower levels are required if charging through a portable EVSE from a 240 volt 15, 20 or 30 amp NEMA outlet. A 40 or 50 amp outlet is required to charge at Max.
- Note: you can also presetting climate control to preheat or precool the car while plugged in to maximize driving range, but this can take unnecessary energy if left on repeatedly in milder weather.
- Tap turnaround arrow icon in upper right a few times to go back to main menu.

Setting JuiceBox Charging Times Posted on August 20, 2019 08:44:36.

Set JuiceBox Charging Times

Our Time of Use PG&E electric rates are higher 3-9 PM, so it is best to not charge during these times to save money and reduce grid load. We have not figured out how to get the eGolf to not charge during these times even when plugged in, but our eMotorWerks JuiceBox EVSE is hooked up to our WiFi and can be configured to limit charge times.

To disable not charging during time of use peak rates:
- Go to home.juice.net.
- Log in — need to know username and password.
- Under JuiceBox, click More Details.
- Click Settings.
- Under Schedule:
o click Time-of-Use to toggle off.
o Click Update.
- Log Out.

To configure JuiceBox to not charge 3-9 PM:
- Go to home.juice.net.
- Log in.
- Under JuiceBox, click More Details.
- Click Settings.
- Under Schedule:
o Click Time-of-Use to toggle on.
o Set Weekday Start 9 PM, end 3 PM.
o Set Weekend Start 9 PM, end 8:59 PM.
o Click Update.
- Log Out.

Don’t use the JuiceBox Phone App to do this, we can’t get it to work.

How to add the JuiceBox to our WiFi is not included here; requires logging on ti its WiFi the first time it booted.

2018-10-14 e-Golf Drive To Santa Cruz Posted on October 22, 2018 08:57:45.

Left Santa Rosa full Sat PM. Arrived at 25% charge at Whole Foods off Stevens Creek at Hwy 85. Very crowded, too forever to get in and out
Started fast charging on EVGo at 3:19 PM. Stopped at 3:54 PM 93% charged.

Went to Felton, then back to Scott�s Valley, did not charge overnight. 21/32 charge left.

Arrived Sun AM with 69% charge at Santa Cruz Whole Foods EVGo, 99 amps 9:24 AM, 100% at 9/58 AM.

Went up to Summit Road, then down to Lexington Reservoir, then SJC, then Apple visitor center. Filled up to 27/32 on level 2 Chargepoint. Had to get employee to help, it was misconfigured and wouldn�t accept visitor�s card.

Went back to SJC, then arrived at 27% at Terra Linda 6:14 PM EVGo fast charger. Stopped at 73% at 6:38 PM.

2018-10-03 e-Golf Long Drives Mar-Sep 2018 Posted on October 04, 2018 00:08:56.

Vacaville 3/16/2018

66 miles to Vacaville Journey Coffee, 5/8 tank left, 47 degrees, eco plus mode all the way, 60 mph except once override to pass. No heat.
Around 73 miles at Vacaville Kaiser 19/32 tank left so ~178 mile range, 4.3 mi/wh. But it said 81 miles left, 154 miles. Need 54 miles to get back to work chargers in Rohnert Park plus 25 buffer so 79 could make it without charging. But there are 3 Sema Connect chargers and no one here. One person came up with a plug-in but didn�t plug in grrr. Need to get a Sema Connect card, but 800 number worked. Charged about 45 minutes, 94 mi range when I left.

Truckee 3/30 � 4/1/2018

Stopped at Walmart in West Sac, ate at Chipotle. 32% charge when we arrived. Fast charge on EVgo. 70 degrees out, 8 PM. When done charging after 30 minutes charge was at 27/32 with 130 mile range.
Passed Roseville fast charger 11/16, Loomis 5/8, Auburn 1/2, Colfax 5/16.
Stop at Dutch Flat with 5/32 left and only 13 mile range, too low, 57 deg out. Only charged at 81 amps, not 100 amps. Batteries must have been too hot after climbing the hill, causing battery manager to throttle back the charge rate. 9/16 charge when we left.
Kingvale chargers were gray = not network connected, so we stopped at Nyack with 3/8 left. Only charged at 66 amps. Finished after ? hour at only 66% and 49 mi range. Maybe charging at Colfax better, before the big hill?
3/8 when we arrived at Tahoe Donner. 120V charged from there.
Left full 4/1/2018, drove 88 miles to West Sacramento, 32% charge left. After ? hour got up to 84%

Truckee 7/6-8/2018

Stopped in Davis at 40% at 8:13 pm; 100% 45 mins later.
Stopped at Colfax at 40%; charged at only 70 amps...too hot again? Only 84% after 45 mins. Restarted the charge at 49 amps and charged another 15 mins up to 93%.
Arrived in Truckee with 27% charge. 120V charge overnight.
The next day charged at Tahoe City Save Mart, 45% at 9:38 am, 90% after 1/2 hour. Went to Emerald Bay and back to Truckee. Charged 120V overnight.
Left for Donner Pass full! Sunday 9:40 AM, arrive at PCT trailhead 27/32, arrive back in Truckee 5 pm 7/8. Charged on 120V for a little, then left for home 6:50 pm 29/32.
Arrive West Sac Walmart 42%. Left at 9:10 after it stopped at 89%.

Truckee 9/21-23/2018

Leave Santa Rosa full 6 PM. Stopped at Davis 49% 8:03 pm 82 degrees. Full before 8:44, less than 41 minutes.
Stopped at Colfax 9:52, 43%, 72 degrees. Charged at full 100 amps, down to 32 amps at 96% when it stopped at 10:36, 45 minutes later.
Arrived at Truckee ~11:30 PM with ~35% charge.
Left for home Sunday midday. Started at 13/16, forgot to re-plug in after going shopping Saturday.
77% at Albertsons, charged at 99 amps 1:02 pm, at 1:24 99%.
Stopped at Vacaville outlet mall 9/32. One SAE combo was busy. Used EV Go level 2 charger 30 amps 240V 20 MPH charge rate 4:30 PM start 39 mile range. At 4:55 switched to fast charger. At 5:19 stopped at 75%.

4 long gas burning trips in the eGolf since we�ve had the eGolf

1. College tours in April to UCLA, UCSD and Cal Poly. Did not feel like we had the time to charge on our compressed trip, but should recalculate.
2. Cal Poly orientation late July.
3. Backpacking in early August in Desolation; not enough cargo for 4 backpacks but could get topper.
4. Cal Poly dropoff mid-September.

2017-12-26 e-Golf Drive From Truckee Posted on December 27, 2017 14:30:14.

Left Tahoe Donner 6:20 AM after filling on 120V, 1619 ODO, 21F. All heater systems off.
Arrive 7:19 AM Save Mart on Keitzke Lane in Reno, 76% charge, 1662 ODO, 28F. Fast charged while shopping at Lowes. Left full around 8 AM.
Arrive 8:47 AM at Save Mart Truckee, 63% charge, 1703 ODO, 25F. Fast charged while eating Breakfast at Truckee Bagel. Topped up to 97% charge.
Arrived at Tahoe Donner, 1708 ODO. Filled up on 120V in garage. Left full at 2 PM.
Arrived in Vacaville 4:45 PM, 11/32 charge, 1844 ODO, 57 mi range left. Started Level II EVgo charge. A little while later there was a "Charging error 5" and it stopped charging. It only got to 7/16 charge, 72 mi range. No text or email sent, but the app did show it was offline; we thought the app had crashed. Switched to fast charge at 7:05 PM, 57F. Stopped it early, 13/16 charge, 135 mi range. Called EVgo to report incident. They said there was a power surge that shut it down for safety. Asked for text warning next time, and for a waived fast charge fee. They wrote it in their notes; we will see.
Arrived home in Santa Rosa, 11/32 charge, 1904 ODO, 46F, 47 mi range.