[Fabulist]

(We're planning to do some long road trips in the Karma when it arrives, and I suspect I won't have much chance to charge up, e.g., on the drive to the Grand Canyon, which will hurt my initial MPG numbers... alas!)

No worries. Just tow one of these behind the Karma and whenever you stop, you can use the power collected by the wind turbines and PV panels to charge the Karma's battery.

(Photo Credit: @marswill. See this post for more information).

On the slightly more serious note, there is at least one company that makes a portable level II charger that can plug into a standard dryer plug that you may be able to find at a hotel, friends home, or campsite. Here is the one I know about, and there may be others. This may be a practical alternative to the portable level I charger that comes with the Karma.

 

[ebarneyr]

How many miles on your Karma?

EVSE Upgrade offers an upgraded Leaf portable travel charger for the Karma....up gradeded to 208-240 v with 16 amp level 2. I ordered one and expect it in tomorrow. Go to http://evseupgrade.com/ .


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[Fabulist]

RE: How many miles on your Karma?

EVSE Upgrade offers an upgraded Leaf portable travel charger for the Karma....up gradeded to 208-240 v with 16 amp level 2. I ordered one and expect it in tomorrow. Go to http://evseupgrade.com/ .


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$1000+ for a portable charger seems on the steep side. Please post about how well it works. They seem reluctant to upgrade Fisker's own portable unit, which would cost a lot less. I wonder if it is possible to change out the plug for a European Spec. EVSE that can already handle 220V/16A for a dryer plug. That should be a lot cheaper, even including the spare Fisker EVSE.

From their FAQ:
Can you upgrade my Fisker Karma, Chevy Volt, or BMW Active-E EVSE?

All of these units are manufactured by Lear and are intended for emergency use only. Due to the lack of UL Listing and the use of very marginal 16AWG cable, we strongly recommend you avoid using these units if at all possible. If usage must be attempted it is recommended to keep a vigilant watch while charging, and also fully uncoil the cord and allow plenty of airflow. If you intend to charge from a poratble unit often, We recommend the purchase of one of our new upgraded Nissan units which is much more safer and more reliable.

 

[ebarneyr]

True, but I could not put a wall charger in our CO condo complex but do have a 240 v plug near by. This Leaf upgraded travel 16 amp level 2 charger will work on both 240 and 120 with the optional plug piglet adapter I ordered. And at a motel at the Denver airport where I usually leave the car when I fly . Unfortunately, I cannot give you a quick report for the current production date of my Laguna is 13 June and if that holds it will be 10 weeks +\- until it arrives. I talked to Lear eng. in MI about the European Fisker travel charger Lear makes for Karmas there. Was told it would work . Maybe Dutch could ask his dealer what the price is in Euros for a spare so you can compare. Not sure it has auto voltage detector as the EVSE upgrade one I bought. I am told it will be the only one I need to have in the Karma, usable on both 240 and 120.

 

[ct-fiskerbuzz]

... Not sure it has auto voltage detector as the EVSE upgrade one I bought. ...

They don't need voltage detection. An "EVSE" is basically just a fancied-up wire, with one or more plugs at one end (to go into 120 or 240 or 208 or whatever volts) and the funny SAE connector at the other (to go into the car). There's no reason for it to cost $1000 either. Mass produced, each EVSE should cost under fifty bucks.

 

[kabalah70]

Well, they aren't as mass produced as we would hope and there is some safety detection circuitry in there. But I agree that most of the cost is probably profit.

 

[ct-fiskerbuzz]

Well, they aren't as mass produced as we would hope and there is some safety detection circuitry in there. But I agree that most of the cost is probably profit.

Indeed, that's why I said "under $50" rather than "under $5". (I just bought a micro-USB charger to replace one whose cord the cats chewed up. The charger and USB wire together were $1.78. Shipping was $2, more than the unit itself! Of course micro-USB chargers are mass produced by the millions.)