DIY Electric Car Forums > Blogs > bruceme

It's a morality call really, wait your turn. I imagine in the future with increasing volumes of EV Cars this issue will be addressed with different charging stations but until then...simple don't touch another person's car.

*but it's a volt...it has gas in there so they don't need the charge as much haha

Poor planning on your part is not an emergency for anyone else - nor is it an excuse for violating their privacy.

Frankly, for someone who has not been programmed to believe there is no such thing as right and wrong, this is fairly cut and dried. If the charger has a "Charge Complete" indicator and it is so indicating, fine - even then you should leave a note saying the charger had already cut out. Anything else is just a rationalization for unethically foisting the consequences for your bad judgement off on someone else.

Come to think about it, that latter type of rationalization does seem fairly popular with a certain group of people. Where have I heard that type of argument before, that stealing from one group of people for the undeserved benefit of another group is just fine as long as you can say "they needed it more than the people you took it from?"

So, I guess prudence simply says, make sure you can get home before you leave, and don't count on a public charger 'cause someone's probably gonna steal it 5 minutes after you park.

The obvious solution is all cars should have a cellphone number on them. And i have always thought this. Right above the plate.

Of course we all know the correct answer to the question... you wait your turn. unless you can find the owner and get his permission to unplug.

Unless charging is complete, don't unplug it.

It's first come first serve. Like others said you will have to be there a while to get any meaningful amount of charge. If you do the horn is going to start honking, the owner will probably get a email and text telling them something has happened. They will be out shortly to see what's going on and what are you going to say? I am only borrowing for 3 or 4 hours....

As a wise guy once said: "You don't $%&# with another man's vehicle."

The proper etiquette is to wait until the charger is available.

If you unplug a volt, by default, it will set off their car alarm.

corbin

I think the solution is more charging stations.

(edit: captain obvious to the rescue!)

whatever scenario allows you to unplug the vehicle without a card/badge/keys/code. Don't nit pick fella

Isn't the charge plug locked (not possible to disconnect) when the vehicle is charging at an public charging station? Aren't the stations locked until the owner arrives and shows their charging badge / card to the machine?

Or do you mean an actual standard 110/230V appliance outlet style charging station?

mmm depends on your circumstance and people skills I guess. If you've got to get away urgently I would say no coz it's still gonna be 20 mins best case scenario before you get some decent charge. so you might as well arrange other transport.
If you're gonna be stuck there all night coz you can't get a charge, then you haven't got much choice. You can always plug the volt back in again once you're done. Only thing that wont work in your favour; is if they come back half way through your charge and find you've just unplugged them. Chances are you're not gonna get a very welcoming initial reaction.
I suppose Charge etiquette could be stated on the Charge station. Ideally Ev's would get priority over Hybrids. Kinda like a bonus for having an Ev, can't see it working thou tbh, it's just luck of the drawer, and we need more charge stations!

Bruce, can you share the model # of the tyco relay you used? Thanks! Scott

the beauty of the ceramic core is that as it heats up its resistance drops to the point where it wont overload or burn up. you may want to play around with a different switching system. at a higher blower setting your ceramic core may put out MORE heat as it's heat is not building up and it's resistance will be mainained at a higher rate hence it will continue to put out more heat, It wont feel like it on your hand but the cabin will accumulate more heat. thats how my ceramic unit workes, it's kind of counter intuitive. good luck.

Good idea. I have found that I can drive in very cold weather without much heat as long as the windows are clear.

Do you have a thermometer to check to see how much difference in temp the heater provides?

hey great heds up thanks. tell me what charger are you using. I have a zivan and would love to use your adapter.