"The Next Generation of Electric Cars"

[TEG]

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/video/generation-electric-cars-11744531

..."By the end of this year we will have delivered 35 RAV4 electric prototypes to Toyota"...

 

[PopSmith]

It's exciting to hear more details on the (new) RAV4 EV.

Also, is that some sort of paint they are putting on the motor at 1:17-1:18? Is that just for identification reasons?

 

[Albern]

Another first??? - Interview from the engine bay of car...

 

[doug]

Also, is that some sort of paint they are putting on the motor at 1:17-1:18? Is that just for identification reasons?

Looks like a dielectric varnish. Btw, did they close up the motor manufacturing facility they had in Taiwan?

 

[TEG]

Also, is that some sort of paint they are putting on the motor at 1:17-1:18? Is that just for identification reasons?

Maybe it is a laminating epoxy resin? Perhaps the bottom coat before they wind the stator? I don't know much about motor construction but maybe it is for corrosion protection? Insulation? Hold the windings in place? Heat transfer?
http://www.epicresins.com/electrical_motors.asp
http://www.harmanbawa.com/
(edit: I see Doug was posting something similar.)

 

[vfx]

Would it be a bluing?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineer's_blue

 

[PopSmith]

Looks like a dielectric varnish. Btw, did they close up the motor manufacturing facility they had in Taiwan?

Ah, thanks Doug. I figured it wasn't "paint" but I had no clue what it really was.

It might be varnish, I found this when I Googled it:

http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/4228.html

• Protect motor windings, small dry type transformers, and coils from arcing, discharge and oxidation
• Class F thermal protection (20,000 @ 150°C)
• High dielectric strength

That sounds a lot more accurate than "paint". :redface:

 

[TEG]

Btw, did they close up the motor manufacturing facility they had in Taiwan?

Seems like it:
http://www.greencarreports.com/blog...a-electric-car-startup-struts-its-green-stuff

...the electric motor assembly and testing areas, recently brought in-house from a vendor in Taiwan...

Also from that article:

One surprising fact: Roadster owners recharge opportunistically, often using plain old 120-Volt power, much more often than expected--and use 440-Volt quick charging less than projected.

(Not surprising since they can't charge from 440V!... I think they meant to say 240V.)

 

[Doug_G]

Yeah that looks like varnish, which is commonly used on transformer and motor windings. The windings (wires) themselves will of course already have varnish insulation on them, but this extra coat is probably intended to lock the wires in place and maybe also provides just a little extra protection and dielectric strength.

Who uses 120V charging??? I haven't even taken the cable tie off my 120V cable yet. I keep it in the trunk just in case of an emergency (e.g. car gets stranded somewhere).

 

[tdelta1000]

These videos reveal a little more about TM and its progress.

 

[cinergi]

Who uses 120V charging??? I haven't even taken the cable tie off my 120V cable yet. I keep it in the trunk just in case of an emergency (e.g. car gets stranded somewhere).

I will. While I have the UMC and a NEMA14-50 outside, I'll use the 120 cable after my commute because it's MUCH easier to manipulate and a bit more waterproof (I have no garage). I only commute 32 miles a day, which should be recovered in ~6 hours by the 120.

 

[vfx]

... I only commute 32 miles a day, which should be recovered in ~6 hours by the 120.

Oh the naiveté.


The newbie thinks that in the first 6 months in a Roadster he will only driving to work and home..

 

[cinergi]

Oh the naiveté.


The newbie thinks that in the first 6 months in a Roadster he will only driving to work and home..

LOL. Indeed. Today's a prime example especially because I was giving everyone a ride. I'm down to 53 estimated miles just from today's activities.

 

[tennis_trs]

... I haven't even taken the cable tie off my 120V cable yet. I keep it in the trunk just in case of an emergency (e.g. car gets stranded somewhere).

I would at least test it. My first MC-240 didn't work. I assume the MC-120 is less complicated, but I'd still test it (and I did, when my car wouldn't charge right after delivery, due to the bad MC-240) before I really needed it.