Dave's shonkers - continuing electroshite

[Dave_Q]

On 28/10/2022 at 22:44, Dave_Q said:

I've also decided to put AT tyres on for the winter, I've ordered some Insa Turbo BFG knockoffs and I've found 2 steel rims, just need 2 more.

This is now done, 2 of the wheels were already sanded and primed, the other 2 were in standard scrapyard condition so I embarked on a thorough* paint prep process.

Quick wire brush on a drill:

Apply rust converter

Paint with gloss black (this was one of the better prepped ones)

The finished article:

Very happy with both the looks and the ride. The tyres are a tad bigger than standard (215/65 vs 195/65) but there don't seem to be any clearance issues and it rides nicer with a bit more sidewall, previously it was on 225/50/17. 

If I'm still happy with them in a few weeks I might just sell my alloys and run these all year.

Elsewhere in the fleet, Audi has done a good few miles since the turbo replacement with no issues other than needing 2 tyres and a knocking which turned out to be a loose engine mount bolt? It is leaking from the turbo drain and also leaking vacuum from the brake outlet at the tandem pump so they need looking at.

Vespa engine is due back from the builder in about 3 weeks and neither of the other bikes have moved due to weather.

Gonna fix these minors on the Audi then finally get round to fitting the TT seats in the van plus a bit of carpeting and insulating to make it a a bit nicer inside.

[Dave_Q]

Audi fixed for now. 

The problem was a leak from this hose stub on the vacuum bit of the tandem pump:

Seems like maybe it was a press fit once and now it's not? I tried unscrewing it as it looked like it might but no dice. 
Dismantled the pump to see about trying to seal it up with epoxy or something but no access.

So I bought a used one off ebay. Same pump but a later revision which has a plastic outlet which I believe is removable and has an O-ring you can replace if needed. 

No idea if this was upgraded because of the issue I have on mine or if it was a cost down effort. 

Anyway its not leaking anymore which is the main thing. 
Likewise the turbo drain, looks like it was just leaking because I didn't do a good enough job of cleaning up the flanges. 
Gasket was no good so I've used high temp gasket wob for now, will order the gasket anyway just in case.

[gm]

On 10/4/2022 at 12:32 PM, Dave_Q said:

Did try to check this as well, nothing popped off, the hoses have a robust looking quickfit type connection. But it's a contender for sure. The thing also has a DPF so could be clogged etc, needs to be on a computer.

Also waved off the Ignis just now.

 I thought these wheels looked familiar  

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/643966907378980/?hoisted=false&ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A6428e751-13ef-4610-bbbb-75a460ce3d43

[Dave_Q]

4:59 on a weekday morning and it's collection time.

It's modern and it's electric so feel free to not be interested.

A saga in 2 parts.

PART THE FIRST - in which our hero attempts to get a train to Milton Keynes under peril of "a late change to the timetable"

[Dave_Q]

In frankly unprecedented scenes, the first train, a Transpennine effort to Leeds is not only on time it was actually stood at the platform waiting 5min early.

[Dave_Q]

Fuck me we are 2 for 2 on trains.

[Dave_Q]

Tamworth achieved. 

Something quite sad about this station, maybe it's the epic platform/shed ratio (94% platform) or just the sheer volume of BUSINESS FOLKS waiting to get the train to London for work.

[Kiltox]

Dem electric cars r shit u no 

[320touring]

Best of luck @Dave_Q! Hope it's as successful as mine was yesterday 🙂

[Dave_Q]

19 minutes ago, Kiltox said:

Dem electric cars r shit u no 

Just wait for PART THE SECOND - in which our hero attempts to use the UK public charging network 

[loserone]

Oh my.  There's nowt to make you reconsider whether it's a good idea as that.

 

Good luck, we're all counting on you

[320touring]

"It's 2027. The year, not the time. @Dave_Q has found the sole working charger in Birmingham. The queue stretches to Plymouth. By October he has reached the front of the queue. He taps his bank card to start the charger. It has expired in September.

An anguished howl fills the air"

[Dave_Q]

A more detailed appraisal at the first (and hopefully only!) charge stop.

[Kiltox]

57 minutes ago, Dave_Q said:

Just wait for PART THE SECOND - in which our hero attempts to use the UK public charging network 

Oh shit it’s Type 2 only isn’t it? Do you need any support in identifying likely working chargers on your route?

[MiniMort]

12 minutes ago, Dave_Q said:

A more detailed appraisal at the first (and hopefully only!) charge stop.

My hopes of you collecting an Enfield Thunderbolt are fading fast…

…but even so I’m very intrigued 

[Spurious]

1 hour ago, Dave_Q said:

Just wait for PART THE SECOND - in which our hero attempts to use the UK public charging network 

Have you downloaded the 17 apps and have 3 credit cards at the ready? 

Good luck, very interested to see how you get on with it. I'd like the next modern to be a reasonably priced electric thing. 

[hairnet]

its a twizy

joke - that looks like zoe dash i think

i might be renting an amp scary vehicle soon

already have zap map installed

5am tho - no wai id be that desperate tho

 

[Dave_Q]

Charger achieved.

This is an allegedly 43kW charger that seems to be giving 25kW at the minute. TBF I think that's the car charger not the point as a video I saw plotted the charge rates for the Q90 Zoe (which this is) and you only get close to the 43kW for a short part of the charge.

The 80 mile range when I got in it was a bit concerning as this planned charge stop was 84 miles away. The PO had 2.7mile/kWh on the computer. Reset that and the range sprung up to 105 and sticking to Eco mode/60mph up the M1 has got me here with 22 miles to spare.

 

The car is a 2019 Zoe Q90 I signature nav something something.

High miles for 4 years old at 59k but it's battery owned and cost less than some places are asking for 2017s on battery rental.

Spec is awesome, chocolate leather seats and a Bose stereo. I quite like the fact that at a time when most people were ordering these as "appliance shite in appliance white" on battery rental someone went into a Renault dealer and not only paid the extra 5 grand or whatever it was to buy the battery but went for the top spec as well. Dedication.

[Dave_Q]

1 hour ago, Spurious said:

Have you downloaded the 17 apps and have 3 credit cards at the ready? 

Good luck, very interested to see how you get on with it. I'd like the next modern to be a reasonably priced electric thing. 

Charger is a BP pulse which I already had the app for.

Pros: working and straightforward to turn on via the app

Cons: instead of just charging me for the volts used you have to top up in £5 increments. £10 probably not enough and £15 might be too much, it's 48p/kWh.

[320touring]

That is filth! Ace spec and a bought battery? Great work.

Looks like quite the tool for what your family needs are. Hope it's a good ownership experience.

 

I had a nose round @beko1987 's parents one at shitefest and was pleasantly surprised. Loved them road tripping it and charging it at the site too.

 

[Kiltox]

That’s fuckin proper that is! 

[ProgRocker]

A mechanical handbrake. Bloody hell.

[Dave_Q]

Cheers for the positive comments, I think she'll be pleased with it.

Underway again now, have charged to 91%/134 miles in just over an hour.

I've not done the maths but it suggests I didn't get much above 22kW charge rate.

67 miles to home so no sweat.

[Kiltox]

That is pretty interesting, I didn’t realise the 43kW thing was such a red herring. 

[Spurious]

1 hour ago, Dave_Q said:

Charger achieved.

This is an allegedly 43kW charger that seems to be giving 25kW at the minute. TBF I think that's the car charger not the point as a video I saw plotted the charge rates for the Q90 Zoe (which this is) and you only get close to the 43kW for a short part of the charge.

The 80 mile range when I got in it was a bit concerning as this planned charge stop was 84 miles away. The PO had 2.7mile/kWh on the computer. Reset that and the range sprung up to 105 and sticking to Eco mode/60mph up the M1 has got me here with 22 miles to spare.

The car is a 2019 Zoe Q90 I signature nav something something.

High miles for 4 years old at 59k but it's battery owned and cost less than some aces are asking for 2017s on battery rental.

Spec is awesome, chocolate leather seats and a Bose stereo. I quite like the fact that at a time when most people were ordering these as "appliance shite in appliance white" on battery rental someone went into a Renault dealer and not only paid the extra 5 grand or whatever it was to buy the battery but went for the top spec as well. Dedication.

That looks ace. 

Nice spec, seats look comfy and it must have electric seat warmers at that spec. 

Nice to have an old skool handbrake, my Mégane has one too, I was well surprised, maybe the automagic handbrake is starting to fall out of vogue. 

[Kiltox]

They must be rare in that spec, I imagine it cost a few quid too - but the person that bought it clearly intended to use it given the mileage. 

[loserone]

That looks ace, great purchase!

[motorpunk]

I had an early Zoe as a press loaner, along with (IIRC) 5 other people. Of the 6 cars, 4 broke down within days. Mine had a freaky wobble at speed, then wouldn't charge up, and Renault were clueless. They gave us each an ipad not to say anything in the media. None of us published a feature about the  car in the end. 

I like the seats and the gentle styling and hope the car works well for you. Good luck!

 

[Kiltox]

12 minutes ago, motorpunk said:

I had an early Zoe as a press loaner, along with (IIRC) 5 other people. Of the 6 cars, 4 broke down within days. Mine had a freaky wobble at speed, then wouldn't charge up, and Renault were clueless. They gave us each an ipad not to say anything in the media. None of us published a feature about the  car in the end. 

I like the seats and the gentle styling and hope the car works well for you. Good luck!

 

The early models (much like the Kangoo) were much more problematic. I think most of the issues are well ironed out by the ZE40. 

[Cavcraft]

WINNER!!!111!!!

I take it from the photo you can get 134 miles for £11.61, and it is cheaper to charge from home as I'm guessing those charging stations cost more?