Recent content by mikeEmike

I have two SMA string inverters and I did have to replace one after about two years of service. I was able to do it myself in about fifteen minutes after I received parts from SMA. I can vouch that SMA's support was top notch. The inverter I replaced weighed just over 50 pounds, including the DC...

Funny you should mention that. The first time I saw the i3, I thought, "Gee, I guess the person who dreamed up the Pontiac Aztek found work somewhere else."

It looks like it is not eligible for the federal tax credit or CVRP rebate, or any Toyota incentives on new RAV4EVs. Assuming that's true, be sure you take that into consideration when negotiating price. EV salespeople are notoriously bad at giving out the wrong information for stuff like this...

I would say regardless of whether or not a permit is required, that you should get one for an EVSE circuit. It is providing a continuous load that will let you know the hard way if you made a mistake when the new circuit was installed. The RAV4EV chargers are particularly capable of testing the...

I can think of a few reasons: 1) More energy efficient 2) Quieter and smoother ride 3) Starts at $28K (almost half the RAV4EV MSRP) before any credits and rebates 4) Only one manufacturer you have to deal with when problems arise 5) It's a production car, not a compliance car 6) Sold by a...

I wouldn't be surprised if they sweeten the deal. Assuming 2000 units over 18 months, Toyota would need to sell 111+ units/month which they only did in one month so far, and that was the month they started the $10K rebate, and they couldn't sustain that rate for more than one month. The lease...

Not "perhaps". They "are" selling it to satisfy the CARB mandates. Toyota has about as much interest in EVs as Tesla does in gas guzzlers. Ironically, when I was reading through this thread, there was a Toyota ad on the banner on top of the page with the quote, "We treat your car like it's...

I think keeping the car at a 50% charge while on the lot is what is recommended. Most dealers unfamiliar with EVs will charge the battery to 100% and let them sit on the lot, which prematurely wears out Li-Ion batteries. Granted, if you need the extra range to get home after you buy it, you...

You might want to pick up something like an infrared thermometer (~$50). Here is where I got mine: http://www.thermoworks.com/products/ir/irgun.html. I have used it for all sorts of stuff, like measuring how hot a cast iron skillet gets, where a leaky hot water pipe was in my slab foundation...

More like 7 seconds! :P

I used C Toon Electric. The electrician's name is Cory. PM me if you want his contact info. He's a nice guy, and did a good job installing my EVSE. He's up in the Valley. Also, I just want to be sure you're aware that if your utility is LADWP, you are entitled to a $2,000 rebate for the cost to...

Yes, you would have to spend over $3000 on the EVSE installation. I actually would have qualified for the entire $1000 when I installed my EVSE last year because I had to upgrade my service panel in order to safely install the EVSE. Unfortunately, when I decided to install it (Sept of 2012), the...

I can think of a couple other benefits. Sales tax would be less (at 9%, maybe about $1800 less). You can also take advantage of the EVSE credit in the same tax year as you buy an EV, which can be up to another $1000, assuming it's still in effect for 2013. You also don't have to worry about...