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« on: December 09, 2023, 01:30:56 AM »
On Saturday December 2nd, I tried to ride 1000 miles in 24 hours on my Experia. Here's what I learned.
Thermal management is the key. Having experienced failure after failure through the summer I really thought the ambient temperature was the main variable I needed to manage. Like I was able to get 430 or 460 miles in 12 hours with ambient temps in the 80's and 90's (Fahrenheit), so it made sense that if I rode when it was cooler I might be able to optimize and make it to 500 miles in 12 hours. If I could hit that benchmark, then 1000 miles in 24 hours was feasible. Well, even riding in ambient temps in the high 40's the battery was still heat throttling. At the 12 hour mark I was 50 miles and a full charge away from 500 miles and by then the bike was charging at 12kw. When I did hit 500 miles I was 2 hours behind the pace and falling further back each charge stop.
For all my efforts to optimize the ride (weight, tucking, diligently watching the consumption, lowering the charge current to minimize heat) I was barely farther/faster than when I just rode the bike for the first time totally unaware of any of these optimization techniques.
Every ride, with this goal of getting to the SS1000, was basically the same. The first charge stop would be relatively short, like less than 20 minutes, at greater than 20kw. If the temps were lower than 70 degrees then the battery would be green when I left that stop. 100% of the time the second charge stop would turn the battery yellow and by the time I was at 80% the charge rate would be below 14kw. It would take 30-50 miles of riding at 140wh/m or less to get the battery to indicate green again (again depending on ambient temps). The next charge stop would start heat throttling immediately usually starting around 17kw and quickly getting down to 12, 11, or even 9 kw. The slowest charging I have seen on a third (or subsequent) charge was 6kw with the ambient temps above 100 degrees.
Basically, once the battery heats up the difference between the pack temp and the air temp doesn't have as much of an impact on how much heat dissipates or how quickly. Yes, there is some difference but not enough to be impactful if your planning on doing 13 charge stops in 24 hours.
The only exception I've observed was coming out of southern Washington State, through Oregon in a generally southwest direction towards the coast highway. Air temps were mid to low 60's, it was generally down hill and slower backroads and there was heavy fog/light mist. I was able to get two charge stops in a row with the charge rate above 20kw and still had a green battery at the end of the charge session. I wasn't riding with any intent other than to ride so I didn't take note of the consumption. It wasn't until I had so many failures getting more than one 20kw charge session that it even stuck out as noteworthy. I haven't noticed this same increased cooling capacity in rain, only fog and mist and only that one time.
Honestly, I think someone can do a SS1000 on an Energica. I dont know if me on this Experia is that someone though. I don't think the range or comfort are the limitations preventing electrics from doing serious LD rides. It's being able to keep the charge speeds fast enough. Like above your KWH per 100 miles. If you can ride at 12kwh per 100 miles you have to keep the charge speed above 12kw. I average 14kwh per 100 miles so as soon as the charge rate goes below 14kw, I start falling behind.
I've put 8100 miles on my Experia (#94) in 5 months. I've done 1 and a half attempts at a Saddle Sore 1000
Ask me anything.
**except speculation** I'll tell what I've done, or experienced but don't ask would would happen if....or could I have....or why didn't I...
