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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I'm a Karma owner since December 2011 so it thought I had seen it all by now. I've been a reading the board for a few weeks and appreciate all the insights, so I thought I'd at least sign in. I've had every issue on the boards (and more) and discussed all with the dealer and corporate at Fisker. I've spent my share of shop time (4 "visits"). Great driving car, bad software (on v6.14 now), and lots of life lessons about early adopting new technology. Still enjoy the drive and the fact the "car" is more than just that. Happy to share my experiences when I see something I have already dealt with, but happy to respond when called on.

I have about 2,500 miles on it, use it daily, charge with level 2 at home and level 1 at work. I get about 30 - 35 miles on a charge (my commute is 20 miles so it works). I had the battery recalled in December, a new tire due to a nail ($400), and lots of finger prints on the windows when parked on the street.

One quick insight from an insider at Fisker I spoke with two weeks ago is the development work on a 440 (?) volt charger. 60 min full charge. Would obviously be game changing.
 

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CAbio said:
I'm a Karma owner since December 2011 so it thought I had seen it all by now. I've been a reading the board for a few weeks and appreciate all the insights, so I thought I'd at least sign in. I've had every issue on the boards (and more) and discussed all with the dealer and corporate at Fisker. I've spent my share of shop time (4 "visits"). Great driving car, bad software (on v6.14 now), and lots of life lessons about early adopting new technology. Still enjoy the drive and the fact the "car" is more than just that. Happy to share my experiences when I see something I have already dealt with, but happy to respond when called on.

I have about 2,500 miles on it, use it daily, charge with level 2 at home and level 1 at work. I get about 30 - 35 miles on a charge (my commute is 20 miles so it works). I had the battery recalled in December, a new tire due to a nail ($400), and lots of finger prints on the windows when parked on the street.

One quick insight from an insider at Fisker I spoke with two weeks ago is the development work on a 440 (?) volt charger. 60 min full charge. Would obviously be game changing.
Neat. Thanks for sharing. Did you put any "protection" on to the exterior? How is it holding up. With/without? I'm almost too panicked to drive a lot until I get this clear bra done.
 

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CAbio said:
One quick insight from an insider at Fisker I spoke with two weeks ago is the development work on a 440 (?) volt charger. 60 min full charge. Would obviously be game changing.
Would that require any hardware changes to the current gen of Karmas?
 

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SoCalGuy said:
CAbio said:
One quick insight from an insider at Fisker I spoke with two weeks ago is the development work on a 440 (?) volt charger. 60 min full charge. Would obviously be game changing.
Would that require any hardware changes to the current gen of Karmas?
The on-board charger, for one. If you connect a 440V (most likely DC) current to the charger in the Karma today, it will melt into a puddle and then start a fire.
 

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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
I have the clear bra and added the same protection around the rear wheel fenders. While the lines of the clear protectant are visible for the first week, they fade with time (and dirt). Mine is a black karma so it is no longer an issue. Looks good after 3 months. I highly recommend it.

No idea on the charger, just brief comment by their guy in charge of charging technologies at a demo day. I asked him about the 6.15 as I was down by the corporate offices. He said the 6.15 software was working great on the cars they were testing in So Cal, but don't expect too much from it (eg. it will fix the major stuff, but they will need a few more versions to get it right). This was two weeks ago so hopefully they have worked out the kinks in releasing the 6.15 which was slated for early April.
 

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CAbio said:
SF Bay Area. I thought I was the only Fisker up here but saw three yesterday alone on the road. Nice to see some company.
Hi. If you saw a black one on 101, it was probably me. Welcome to the Forum. Forum member @Dennis is putting together a meet and drive in April, so check the regional boards and see if you can make it.
 

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Fabulist said:
CAbio said:
SF Bay Area. I thought I was the only Fisker up here but saw three yesterday alone on the road. Nice to see some company.
Hi. If you saw a black one on 101, it was probably me. Welcome to the Forum. Forum member @Dennis is putting together a meet and drive in April, so check the regional boards and see if you can make it.
Here's the link:

http://fiskerbuzz.com/forums/Thread-Bay-Area-Karma-meet-up-and-run-on-Sat-April-14th
 

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The Illinois tollway just installed a bunch of the Blink DC (440/80v 3 phase powered) charges...unfortunately for myself and other Fisker drivers Fab is correct ....these would melt the Karma's batteries down into a lump of goo.

Currently the Karma can draw 20amp max while charging so it can not even take full advantage of the Level 2 30 amp chargers....although I get a full charge (from 1/2 full) in about 1.5-2 hrs with the level 2.
 

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Grebechini said:
The Illinois tollway just installed a bunch of the Blink DC (440/80v 3 phase powered) charges.
Can anyone actually use those? I thought the SAE had not finalized the 70A DC spec. for the connector and the Leaf has a proprietary connector for fast charging. Not really a wide audience for these at the moment, right?
 

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The CHAdeMO Adapter used widely in other countries.. This is used on the Leaf at an additional cost of $700

The Blink DC Fast Charger is outfitted with a CHAdeMO compliant EV connector; the most widely used connector for fast-charge-capable electric vehicles worldwide

ref:
http://www.blinknetwork.com/chargers-commercial-dc-fast.html
[hr]
and here is a picture and info about the LEAF

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/03/chademo-quick-charge-standards/

good comparison of the DC fast charger input (HUGE) vs the J1772 that we have on the fisker
 
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