Battery Vehicle Society

I can only confirm that I haven`t heard of SAFT modules freezing in practice here in Scandinavia. In theory it is possible. Temperatures of minus 40 have been reported this year.
Modules kan lose up to a litre of water before the water fill lamp comes on so the eletrolyte is much more concentrated than in newly topped up modules. Not a good reason for waiting for a service though.

Most owners are experiencing drastically reduced range in this weather and some experience incomplete charging cycles when plugged in over night.
Interesting about the possibility of water freezing in the hydraulic circuits. Integrity of the hoses can be ascertained by pressure testing at the overflow. The filling nipple should be sealed.

hmm... just throwing in a crazy idea.... since the car is plugged in... could it be possible to add some kind of heater to the curcuit and set the temp to 20 degress ?

Yes. Swiss users have done that.

You are so right Chris. I went for a ride in one of these new Indy electric cars the other day. Insurance meant that I could only drive it on the airfield. You know what? It's miles behind the Blingo. Much more sluggish & funnily enough, much noisier. The brakes were abysmal after the Blingo power set up. Range; 40-50 miles. Speed 60mph. Charging time 8 hours. So! Whats new. Have to admit the interior was plushier than the Blingo though. As a vehicle though, in my opinion, not as good. That's progress folks. chatwindows.

I have worked out a set up for my Multispace, that will bypass the radiator but will keep the coolant flowing, so this should ensure even cell temeratures but reduce the heat loss that passing through the rad causes.
Its been a pain to plumb in but a lot of that is due to re-locating the Radiator to the NS of the van rather than the centre. The plastic hoses can be easily joined using a light 5/8 bore rubber hose,with a short length of 15mm copper tube slipped into the plastic to stop it being crushed. Control is by a simple Thermostat with its thermistor attached to a section of 15mm copper pipe in the coolant circuit.
Ive now got another valve (these are Jaguar X type heater valves) and I will be doing this to my in use Van.


Grumpy-b

Grumpy-b wrote:I have worked out a set up for my Multispace, that will bypass the radiator but will keep the coolant flowing, so this should ensure even cell temeratures but reduce the heat loss that passing through the rad causes.
Its been a pain to plumb in but a lot of that is due to re-locating the Radiator to the NS of the van rather than the centre. The plastic hoses can be easily joined using a light 5/8 bore rubber hose,with a short length of 15mm copper tube slipped into the plastic to stop it being crushed. Control is by a simple Thermostat with its thermistor attached to a section of 15mm copper pipe in the coolant circuit.
Ive now got another valve (these are Jaguar X type heater valves) and I will be doing this to my in use Van.


Grumpy-b

Interesting Grumps, any chance of a how-to thread with some pics ??

ChrisB

Hang on RE the testing of the water top up plubing, the service info shows a small hand pump pushed into the overflow / brether pipes if the plubing is ok a very slight pressure can be achieved (too much would blow pipes off)

perhaps a balloon could be used if it deflates your pipes are knackard

What service info are you reading, Tesla? I haven't seen anything like that.

It's mentioned in the Saxo service manual. And also the Saft battery manual I think.

EVan wrote:It's mentioned in the Saxo service manual.

Just a thought... is it at all possible to get hold of english written workshop manuals for the saxo?