Volts but no Amps

[Mrjmegson]

Hey guys,

Hopefully a quicky.

If my panels have a high voltage, usually 350v, and have got very low Amps, does this mean the system has just shut down, but if I were to add a load, it would start producing again? (See pic)

This usually happens when my batteries are full and we have either no load or very little.

 

[johnb2713]

Hey guys,

Hopefully a quicky.

If my panels have a high voltage, usually 350v, and have got very low Amps, does this mean the system has just shut down, but if I were to add a load, it would start producing again? (See pic)

This usually happens when my batteries are full and we have either no load or very little.

Absolutely, no demand on the system.

 

[Mrjmegson]

So lots of wasted solar potential.

I seriously need to get more batteries as this is happening all the time at the moment, and we aren't even in summer yet.

 

[johnb2713]

So lots of wasted solar potential.

I seriously need to get more batteries as this is happening all the time at the moment, and we aren't even in summer yet.

Or use more, get yourself an nice EV to charge or fit an EV charger to your property and sell your power to other EV drivers, 35p kWh should be easy to achieve.

 

[Mrjmegson]

I'd love to get myself a nice EV, I really want an i3, but just don't have a spare 20k to get one.

I also don't have money for batteries either. Lol

 

[johnb2713]

I'd love to get myself a nice EV, I really want an i3, but just don't have a spare 20k to get one.

I also don't have money for batteries either. Lol

Yep, i3 is a great car (mine is a 17 plate i3 94ah). You can get them a lot less than 20k and being composite construction they don't age body wise, the mechanics are superb. 85,000 on the clock in mine and it's been absolutely fine, still on the original discs and brake pads!

 

[Mrjmegson]

Oh you had to go and make me jealous didn't you.

I absolutely love the i3, everything (almost, no Android Auto) about them.

If I was buying with my head, I'd buy the original Hyundai Ionic, it's got amazing spec and an excellent range, but my heart says i3 all the way.

Have you had it from new?

Lol, I have a question for you that I can't find an answer to. Can you tip the front seat back far enough to let someone in the back without opening the rear door, like we used to do with 3 doors back in the day?

 

[johnb2713]

Oh you had to go and make me jealous didn't you.

LOL, I went from a 4.4 TDV8 Range Rover to the i3, still travelling around the country presenting our CAA approved commercial drone training and testing. My fuel cost dropped from £120 per week to £120 per year!. Strangely I didnt miss anything about the Range Rover, I had more space in the front, the seats were just as comfortable (despite apperances) and the performance was way quicker than the Rangie.

I absolutely love the i3, everything (almost, no Android Auto) about them.

Theres another advantage LOL.

If I was buying with my head, I'd buy the original Hyundai Ionic, it's got amazing spec and an excellent range, but my heart says i3 all the way.

Well there are i3 options around, my 94ah has been known to give me 156 miles on a single charge, there are 120ah versions now.

Have you had it from new?

No, I bought it privately from a guy in London, steep learning curve coming home

Lol, I have a question for you that I can't find an answer to. Can you tip the front seat back far enough to let someone in the back without opening the rear door, like we used to do with 3 doors back in the day?

You can slide the front seat forward and tip it forwards which would allow someone to squeeze though but you may as well open the rear door, it's only tiny but theres no pillar in the way so access is easy. I have had 4 adults in mine and whilst it's not huge everyone said they were comfortable.

My little stormtrooper



It was 2.5 years old with 52,000 on the clock. I bought a BMW extended warranty and a 3 year service plan, I haven't needed the warranty and the servicing is easy, drop it off pickup courtesy car, go back at the end of the day it's serviced and valeted , it was £525 for the 3 year package including MOT's.

I've had some very nice cars over the years, the i3 is by far the best one I've had. It's replacement may well be an Ioniq 5 if I do every decide to change it.

 

[Kot]

So lots of wasted solar potential.

I seriously need to get more batteries as this is happening all the time at the moment, and we aren't even in summer yet.

Or install an Eddie then your hot water is for free, unless you have a comby boiler of course

 

[Mrjmegson]

Or install an Eddie then your hot water is for free, unless you have a comby boiler of course

Yeh, currently got a combi..

 

[Mrjmegson]

Sorry John, I can't figure out how you do those little quotes that you do, so my reply will be a bit scruffy.

I do want the 120ah battery, as we travel up north quite regular from down south, so I'd like to be able to do that in the i3.

I'm blown away that you've had as much range as that from your 94ah, that's amazing, and I assume just comes from learning to drive it, anticipating stops so you can use the regen, etc.

I'm really glad you haven't had any cause to use the warranty, that's very reassuring, and goes with what I've heard.

Wow, that would have been a very steep learning curve, and what a place to do it driving in London traffic.

Do I assume you're an Apple man then? I like the car so much that it's even crossed my mind to switch phones.

Amazing, £120/week to £120/year, that's crazy. Do you juice mainly from solar in the summer, and off peak electricity in the winter?

It does look a very spacious car, and I've seen tests done with 4 adults in the car. The reason I asked about leaning the front seat forward, was everyone says it's incredibly awkward to try to open the back door in car parks, and I do that a huge amount with my little man sitting in the back. So I just wondered if he'd be able to just squeeze through the gap when the seat was simply tilted.

It's been lovely to hear your experience with the i3, not coming from a Youtuber, or automag journalist.

 

[johnb2713]

Sorry John, I can't figure out how you do those little quotes that you do, so my reply will be a bit scruffy.

It's easy, position the cursor after a word (in this case 'scruffy' and press return. It open up a reply line and adds another quote for the remaining message

I do want the 120ah battery, as we travel up north quite regular from down south, so I'd like to be able to do that in the i3.

You could consider a 94ah REX, thats what mine is and though I rarely use the REX it has been a life saver on a couple of occasions when chargers arent working or an unexpected detour on my planned route.

I'm blown away that you've had as much range as that from your 94ah, that's amazing, and I assume just comes from learning to drive it, anticipating stops so you can use the regen, etc.

Well I did manage 43 mpg on my TDV8 Range Rover, I consider using brakes a failure The i3 regen is really good and allows one pedal driving with ease.

I'm really glad you haven't had any cause to use the warranty, that's very reassuring, and goes with what I've heard.

Yep, 100%, well engineered, well thought out car and essentially it's simple. The motor and speed controller are one unit, the battery charger is another unit and theres a computer under the backseat the supervises the aux functions and sat nav.

Wow, that would have been a very steep learning curve, and what a place to do it driving in London traffic.

It was, the i3 is so quick though it's incredible. Absolutely nothing can take you from lights 0-30 is blisteringly quick, an M5 doesnt get in front until 60 mph then youre dead in the water LOL.

Do I assume you're an Apple man then? I like the car so much that it's even crossed my mind to switch phones.

I am indeed, love the iphones and iPads, hate the computers though.

Amazing, £120/week to £120/year, that's crazy. Do you juice mainly from solar in the summer, and off peak electricity in the winter?

Correct, last year Octopus GO was 5p per kWh, I managed 5.5 miles per kWh on average so less than 1p per mile.

It does look a very spacious car, and I've seen tests done with 4 adults in the car. The reason I asked about leaning the front seat forward, was everyone says it's incredibly awkward to try to open the back door in car parks, and I do that a huge amount with my little man sitting in the back. So I just wondered if he'd be able to just squeeze through the gap when the seat was simply tilted.

In all honest I find it easy to open the back door, it's only a very short door so doesnt need much space to open wide, you can also close front door with back door open if space is at a premium.

It's been lovely to hear your experience with the i3, not coming from a Youtuber, or automag journalist.

All of my mates and family knowing what a petrol head I had been all of life said it wouldnt last going from Rangie to an i3. I'm not a skinny bloke either at 6'6" and over 20 st but I still absolutely love this car and I have no plans to change it.

 

[Mrjmegson]

Let me start with your last point first, 6'6" and over 20st and you find the i3 roomy. That's incredible, and makes me want one even more now.

I message off of my (android) phone, so it's not the same as using a keyboard. I'll figure it out one day. Lol. But thanks for trying to help. (Cue the barrage of, "it's because you're using ****** android" jokes) lol

I definitely want an EV only version, as the range extender is just something else to go wrong and need servicing, I want a clean break from the ICE.

43MPG from a big best like that, I bet even Landover don't know it's capable of that. Lol. I know it's a tiny bit different, but I regularly get low to mid 70s from my Smart ForTwo CDi.

Let me get this right, you "AVERAGED" 5.5m/kWh? That's insane. That is some incredible driving. I love you comment " I consider using the brakes as a failure!". I totally agree, I drive a lorry for a living, and the only time I touch the brakes is when some knob cuts me up or comes out of lane on a roundabout and tries to commit suicide using me as the blunt instrument.

So the thing about the rear door I've heard is that once you have both doors open you can get trapped, but it makes perfect sense in a very tight space to just close the front one again.

1p a mile sounds incredible, even better 0p a mile from solar.

 

[johnb2713]

Let me start with your last point first, 6'6" and over 20st and you find the i3 roomy. That's incredible, and makes me want one even more now.

You only have to go in one once to be hooked, it's a superb well thought out car.

I message off of my (android) phone, so it's not the same as using a keyboard. I'll figure it out one day. Lol. But thanks for trying to help. (Cue the barrage of, "it's because you're using ****** android" jokes) lol

Absolutely correct

I definitely want an EV only version, as the range extender is just something else to go wrong and need servicing, I want a clean break from the ICE.

Youve listened to too many EVangelists........ Like I said, I've used very few times so I consider myself an EV driver. Something else to go wrong yes of course it is but it just doesnt go wrong. It's proven engine form the BMW scooter, the only thing I do is run it once per month usually on the 1st for 10 to 15 minutes just to fluids circulated etc. Servicing, is an oil and filter change every 2 years, it's not going to break the bank.
Trust me it's a real asset to have, when you stop at charging spot to find all chargers in use or broken you just drive on and REX comes to rescue as required. Unless youre crawling in traffic youre totally unaware it's running it's so quiet. You should seriously reconsider a REX one, get a loan one and go for a long drive with public charging involved, see if REX is needed to rescue you!

43MPG from a big best like that, I bet even Landover don't know it's capable of that. Lol. I know it's a tiny bit different, but I regularly get low to mid 70s from my Smart ForTwo CDi.

Been there, done that LOL

Let me get this right, you "AVERAGED" 5.5m/kWh? That's insane. That is some incredible driving.

No, really it's not, the i3 is easy to get hi miles / kWh just by one pedal driving, just dont do the traffic light drags hehe it's is super smooth at those, 100% torque from 0 to 100mph!

I love you comment " I consider using the brakes as a failure!". I totally agree, I drive a lorry for a living, and the only time I touch the brakes is when some knob cuts me up or comes out of lane on a roundabout and tries to commit suicide using me as the blunt instrument.

I suffered that a lot in my Rangie towing my 2 tonne twin axle caravan.

So the thing about the rear door I've heard is that once you have both doors open you can get trapped, but it makes perfect sense in a very tight space to just close the front one again.

Yes, it is a narrow exit but it is useable

1p a mile sounds incredible, even better 0p a mile from solar.

Indeed, it's very satisfying running from solar.

 

[Mrjmegson]

That's what everyone says about EVs in general, you'll never go back once you try one, and I've heard nothing but good about the i3 in particular.

Lol, I knew that's what you'd be thinking, typical iPhone user. Lol

I totally get what you're saying about the REX, I'll think about it.

Is/was that your Smart? I absolutely love mine, I enjoy driving it all the time, I hate having to drive our family car. I think that quirkyness is one of the things that attracts me to the i3.

Drivers blow my mind on a daily basis. I'm not exaggerating what I say that if I didn't drive defensively and be able to read what stupid things other people are going to do, I could have a fatal accident each day, one that I'd walk away unharmed from.

Solar powered driving, I can't wait.

 

[johnb2713]

That's what everyone says about EVs in general, you'll never go back once you try one, and I've heard nothing but good about the i3 in particular.

It's so true, two family members have driven mine and then bought one.

Lol, I knew that's what you'd be thinking, typical iPhone user. Lol

Of course, I remember the Samsungs back in 2017ish that were banned from going on aircraft due to their ability to spontaneously combust. I was working offshore at the time and the Samsung users had to leave their phones at the heliport oh dear lol.

I totally get what you're saying about the REX, I'll think about it.

Theres no downside for me with REX it can only help. It does take 0.4 seconds longer 0-60 i.e 7.2 seconds.

Is/was that your Smart? I absolutely love mine, I enjoy driving it all the time, I hate having to drive our family car. I think that quirkyness is one of the things that attracts me to the i3.

I bought to advertise my IT business, we actually had 3 of them, all decaled up, they looked really good.

Drivers blow my mind on a daily basis. I'm not exaggerating what I say that if I didn't drive defensively and be able to read what stupid things other people are going to do, I could have a fatal accident each day, one that I'd walk away unharmed from.

Tempting

Solar powered driving, I can't wait.

You need to practice the smug look hehe

 

[Mrjmegson]

"Your Samsung is on fi-re". Those were the days. Lol

Oooo, the 0.4s is definitely a deal breaker. Lol

Tempting indeed, people had best hope I don't just think F'it one day.

I can't wait to practice the smug look.