Diesel RVs: Re: [diesel_mercedes] Just do the math. OFF TOPIC.

Lawrence,

I do try to do the math before any decision. There are some factors that are hard to find, mostly efficiency and losses.

Where is the cost of elect calculated, grid costs? Different parts of the country have drastic different costs.

If this is grid costs, what are the conversion losses to the charger? Then what are the losses during charging the battery?

If you don't drive the car, what is the discharge rate? Some numbers I see are just from the car's monitors. Others are measuring power losses through each conversion. Some Tesla owners are seeing approx. 10 miles of losses for each day not driving.

Is off grid solar capable of charging the car? I expect that grid elect pricing may go to spot market rates. There are a ton of new elect cars using the grid, all wanting immediate recharges. In NH, the cost of elect passed $1.00 per KWH during the peak times. We are already maxing the power grid on many days.

Obama just signed some bill to add elect charging stations and get more municipalities to go to elect cars. I'm thinking the next "big oil" will be "big elect". Electric may be a captive customer that you can't easily use alternatives.

You may have it really good for a few years with flat rate elect rates, no spot pricing, and solar grid ties at retail rates. The US is like a game of Monopoly that lobbyists convince the public to jump into their profit plan.

I think I may buy nuclear energy and elect grid stocks and keep my Mercedes right now. I am interested if you do have measurements/calculations.

This can go off board as this is off topic.

Carl

On 7/19/2016 11:58 AM, Lawrence Rhodes primobassoon@sbcglobal.net [diesel_mercedes] wrote:

I am paying $258 a month(5 years it's mine with no interest) for the privilege of driving a new car which is smooth quiet. I spent 900 dollars to drive for 3 years(39k miles) in electricity on our first lease. It will cost $5,500.00 for a new battery in 8 to 10 years if I make past the warranty date. If not Nissan replaces the battery for free. I get in the carpool lane solo as well as reduced tolls.

I have been into the w123 vehicles as deep as any one. Put in a transmission by myself, starter, many alternators, self leveling system including a ruptured front high pressure hose as well as two rear modules, vac pump, cutoff switch, seats many fiddly bits. I also saved 25k dollars or more in fuel by running vegetable oil in more than a decade of running these wonderful machines plus 20 conversions for myself others. So I know what I'm talking about.

If you add up all the money you spent on acquisition, maintaining, fuel you will find electrics very attractive. They are also clean air vehicles which our beloved Mercedes are not. So no dirty hands time spent on my back like a whore to these ancient chariots......just do the "complete" math. I have better things to do with my time and money...but they were fun while it lasted. Lawrence Rhodes