Monday, August 10, 2009

Phantom AC


Today is probably the hottest we have gotten this summer in NJ, and not so much heat hot but humid heat hot - that really bites. It seems the MINI E feels it too and I saw my battery temp go over 100 for the first time and it stayed there on my drive home - it hovered around 104 and dropped to 103 by the time I finished my 20 mile commute.

I used the driving lights, AC and radio on the way home and noticed a bit of a drain overall, maybe 10% more then usual, all in all not terrible, but when you are this in tune with a car you notice everything.

Now I'm trying to get the MINI E to charge - still have just the 110 remember - as soon as I plug it in the fan comes right on and loud. So I opened the windows a crack to see if that helped, nope. I closed up the car and a few seconds later I heard a hum from the engine bay, it sounded like the AC. I opened the car (hum stopped), got in, closed the door and did not insert the key. In a split second I heard that faint hum and felt cool air coming from the vents....is the MINI E cooling itself and how much recharge power is it taking to do that? Opened the door or rolled down window, hum stopped as did the cool air. First time I've noticed this.

Anyone else run across this?

5 comments:

  1. My experiance with #183 in so-cal is that the Mini-E is often above 100 degrees. average outside temp here is around 85 during the day. Typical is car stats out at 85 degrees sits during the day and then the ride home car gets to 104degrees.

    When I am racing a bit it goes to 107 or 108. I have only had the partial regen light come on once during a prolonged enthusiastic drive. It came on at 112 degrees so I decided to go a little slower :)

    The fan will come on with some varibles depending on the heat. I chage only with 240 36 amp so can't offer anything on the 110 situation.

    Cheers
    Peder

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  2. also, my guage looks a little different than the one you posted :) Ha HA!

    Peder

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  3. I'll try getting into my car tonight and see if the AC is blowing on charge. I'm in the desert and my garage temperature is often 110 degrees when I plug in, and the battery temps with be higher. I usually charge with the windows down, but I'll try with the windows up and let you know what happens.

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  4. I tried it last night but the AC didn't come on. The air temp and battery temp were both about 100 degrees, and I was charging with 220v. The battery fan sounded less labored with the windows down than up so I will always charge with one window down from now on!

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  5. Thanks for giving it a try soareyes - I guess my MINI E is "Ghost in the MINI Shell" :)

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