Charging a SmartCar

[lmacy]

Not on the short term plan, but thinking about it. I saw a pic of a SmartCar as sorta toad. It was on a hitch mounted platform and I thought that was intriguing. But that isn’t the question. The new SmartCars are electric cars. They charge off 240v at 32 amps in three hours or 120v at 10 amps for 21 hours. Both figures are from flat to 100% charge. So I was wondering what I would need to charge one while camping.

Does a 50 amp circuit provide 240 volts or just 110? Could see charging at 120 and 10 amps while on a 50 amp source, but not the 240, unless the Smary was the only thing on he circuit. Then there is boondocking, do the bigger rigs have genies that could charge at 240, or would I be only able to use 120? Or is that even practical at either voltage?

Just a rhetorical question and food for thought. I am not an electrical engineer so I won’t pretend to know anything about this.

Answer if curious, or just ignore.

Larry
2013 Solera 24MS

[Duckogram]

My toad is a 2011 Pure. It dinghy tows very nicely. It has about 100,000 miles on it now so we were looking at a new one. The charging and range, a whopping 60 miles, took it off our list. As for putting one on a platform, you don’t have a big enough rig.
My suggestion: FUGHETABOUTIT

[lmacy]

Originally Posted by Duckogram

My toad is a 2011 Pure. It dinghy tows very nicely. It has about 100,000 miles on it now so we were looking at a new one. The charging and range, a whopping 60 miles, took it off our list. As for putting one on a platform, you don’t have a big enough rig.
My suggestion: FUGHETABOUTIT

Thanks, I neglected to mention we are looking to move up to an A diesel for our full time future. That 60 miles is a bit of a damper, but my theoretical question still stands.

Larry
2013 Solera 24 MS

[dblr]

Not sure I am correct but heard the Smart on electric only has a range of around 80 miles

[CedarCreekWoody]

To answer your electrical question the 50 amp outlet does provide 240 volts at 50 amp. Just how you would connect up the car and the RV might take a bit of creativity (or a second outlet).

[aceinspp]

The Smart car mostly likely comes with only the 120ac charger. The 240 volt charger is more for a permanent mount at home and is an extra cost item. don't know if it can be be made into a portable. I have the ability on my Volt to either charge at 8amp(the default) or I can change to charge at 12 amps but I hook my portable charger into my 30 amp power when I'm not using for the camper at home. Charge time is much quicker. Depending on how far you want to drive every day I think 80 miles would be fine . I get 68 miles on my charge and last 2 to 3 days depending how far I drive but the good thing is mine switches over to gas if I run out of electric. Later RJD

[grunt 98444]

Save yourself the headache and buy a lightly used ICE Smart car.
The 453 is the latest model that used gas before the BEV version was released
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...two/2017/specs

[Duckogram]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

To answer your electrical question the 50 amp outlet does provide 240 volts at 50 amp. Just how you would connect up the car and the RV might take a bit of creativity (or a second outlet).

X2 and to address your “platform” thought. That can be done with a hydraulic lift that is capable of at least 2500 lbs. Then there is the weight of the Smarty and the lift 8 ft aft of the tailpipe. You would need a tag axle bus at a minimum for numbers like that. Then you would be about 55’ long.

I’ve seen a Custom rig with a garage on the back made to hold a Bimmer Z3. So while most things are feasable from an engineering standpoint, from a cost and practicallity standpoint its an undertaking very few would begin and all would regret.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

The Smart car mostly likely comes with only the 120ac charger. The 240 volt charger is more for a permanent mount at home and is an extra cost item. don't know if it can be be made into a portable. I have the ability on my Volt to either charge at 8amp(the default) or I can change to charge at 12 amps but I hook my portable charger into my 30 amp power when I'm not using for the camper at home. Charge time is much quicker. Depending on how far you want to drive every day I think 80 miles would be fine . I get 68 miles on my charge and last 2 to 3 days depending how far I drive but the good thing is mine switches over to gas if I run out of electric. Later RJD

I too have a Volt but don't have a motorhome. If I did I'd consider it as a Toad. The 120 volt charger would charge my fully depleted main battery overnight but the Level II charger I installed in the garage (a Clipper Creek unit that could be a portable and plug into a true 240 v 50 amp service) charges a the battery in less than 4 hours.

I buy a tank of fuel once per year. The maintenance mode forces the engine to start so gas is burned and engine lubed periodically. Most of my driving is within a 25-30 mile radius so a round trip can be made by electricity alone. A full charge costs me $1.85 for 65 miles (average range).

Electric cars are here to stay. Bound to see all kinds used as Toad's with all kinds of creative methods.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

I too have a Volt but don't have a motorhome. If I did I'd consider it as a Toad. The 120 volt charger would charge my fully depleted main battery overnight but the Level II charger I installed in the garage (a Clipper Creek unit that could be a portable and plug into a true 240 v 50 amp service) charges a the battery in less than 4 hours.

I buy a tank of fuel once per year. The maintenance mode forces the engine to start so gas is burned and engine lubed periodically. Most of my driving is within a 25-30 mile radius so a round trip can be made by electricity alone. A full charge costs me $1.85 for 65 miles (average range).

Electric cars are here to stay. Bound to see all kinds used as Toad's with all kinds of creative methods.

X 2 Yep about a tank of gas a year. I only live 5 miles from town so I can go about 3 days on a charge. This the 2nd one I've owned and love it. Gets good gas mileage also. I saw no need for installing the faster charging system. The 110 system works fine as mentioned you can change the default from 8 to 12 amp and cut charging time by about 4 hrs. Later RJD