dover5949 Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 19302, 19303 in service this morning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pops1719 Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 40 minutes ago, dover5949 said: 19302, 19303 in service this morning They were yesterday, but unscheduled trips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8010 Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 Why am I not surprised that both buses are 5-10 min behind schedule while the others running on the 100 are running the typical 0-3 min? Sure one could argue that both faced heavy loads and delays, but the ~5 min charge time is most likely the reason they're running late. Hopefully they add another couple blocks in the near future to fix this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin607 Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 On 1/26/2019 at 6:34 PM, Millennium2002 said: It'd be very cool if they could integrate charging into the existing trolleybus infrastructure... but don't the trolleybuses run at a lower voltage? From what I can gather from Siemens and ABB, the voltage required to quickly charge a bus can go up to 1000 volts DC; on the other hand, the trolleybus network is fed 600 volts DC? Can the existing wires, rectifiers, relays, etc. handle such a bump? To answer some previous technical questions, I found some information at yesterday's launch. The voltage supplied to the battery buses is 480V DC. The transformer has a maximum power rating of about 500kW - I can't be more precise because the rating plate says 500kVA which isn't quite the same as 500kW because you need to know the efficiency to convert kVA to kW. But it's powerful. At the presentation the cost of each charging station was quoted at $1m. The system probably needs one fast charger for every 3 or 4 buses so the system is not cheap. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FL04DIFN Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 On 9/11/2019 at 2:28 PM, Community Shuttle said: Nova published photos of 19301-19302 wrapped up on Facebook. I guess that's why they were delivered without liveries. Or perhaps it could be WVMT's new livery since it's an actual "Blue Bus" 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin607 Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 I went to Marine Drive Station this lunchtime. I waited some time but no battery buses appeared. Then a driver told me that they are only doing rush hour trippers. Given the downpour, I decided to go home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pops1719 Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 6 minutes ago, martin607 said: I went to Marine Drive Station this lunchtime. I waited some time but no battery buses appeared. Then a driver told me that they are only doing rush hour trippers. Given the downpour, I decided to go home. Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Community Shuttle Posted September 13, 2019 Report Share Posted September 13, 2019 4 hours ago, Evan Hancock said: Or perhaps it could be WVMT's new livery since it's an actual "Blue Bus" That would be 301-303 unwrapped since that blue is harder to miss at night Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FL04DIFN Posted September 13, 2019 Report Share Posted September 13, 2019 It seems these buses are limited to peak hour only service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cathay 888 Posted September 14, 2019 Report Share Posted September 14, 2019 I tried to spot 19302 again yesterday, but the worst traffic congestions in Marine Drive and made over an hour delay, I gave up~~ Finally, I got both side today in 22nd Street~~ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9924 Posted September 14, 2019 Report Share Posted September 14, 2019 On 9/12/2019 at 8:44 AM, 8010 said: Why am I not surprised that both buses are 5-10 min behind schedule while the others running on the 100 are running the typical 0-3 min? Sure one could argue that both faced heavy loads and delays, but the ~5 min charge time is most likely the reason they're running late. Hopefully they add another couple blocks in the near future to fix this. And this is why there is a testing phase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Dunlop Posted September 17, 2019 Report Share Posted September 17, 2019 On 9/13/2019 at 3:45 PM, Evan Hancock said: It seems these buses are limited to peak hour only service. When Victoria gets electric buses (in the next few years), the electric buses will be limited to trippers only, due to the low range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FL04DIFN Posted September 20, 2019 Report Share Posted September 20, 2019 What's up with the electric buses? Neither of them in service this morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Posted September 20, 2019 Report Share Posted September 20, 2019 53 minutes ago, Evan Hancock said: What's up with the electric buses? Neither of them in service this morning. I got a feeling that things are not going so well... 19303 was not out yesterday either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8010 Posted September 20, 2019 Report Share Posted September 20, 2019 Just now, Phillip said: I got a feeling that things are not going so well... 19303 was not out yesterday either. 19302 took 12 minutes to charge at Marpole yesterday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9924 Posted September 20, 2019 Report Share Posted September 20, 2019 15 minutes ago, Phillip said: I got a feeling that things are not going so well... 19303 was not out yesterday either. 2 weeks into testing? Pretty sure that's a bit too early to come to any conclusion. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8010 Posted September 20, 2019 Report Share Posted September 20, 2019 43 minutes ago, 9924 said: 2 weeks into testing? Pretty sure that's a bit too early to come to any conclusion. There were some issues before launch, hence the reason why the whole pilot was delayed until September. I wouldn't be surprised if there's still some issues here and there, this is still relatively new technology, especially for TransLink and CMBC. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dover5949 Posted September 21, 2019 Report Share Posted September 21, 2019 12 hours ago, Evan Hancock said: What's up with the electric buses? Neither of them in service this morning. 19302 was out in the PM rush 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin607 Posted September 24, 2019 Report Share Posted September 24, 2019 I was away last week, so I resumed my BEB hunt this afternoon. I went to 22nd Street Station and luckily 19302 arrived fairly soon after I arrived. I managed to chat to the driver and some of his colleagues at the charging station so I'll divide my report into two sections: driver information; and personal impressions. i) 19302 arrived with only two minutes before its departure time at 17.01 ii) the driver said that the bus consumes about 40% of its battery charge on a one way run. iii) charging from 60% to 100% charge takes about 10 minutes iv) Management require drivers to charge at each terminal -even if the bus is already late. v) Management is proceeding cautiously with their introduction. One of the other drivers said "they don't trust them (yet?)" vi) Another driver said they will soon be doing some experimental night runs. vii) The driver didn't think the BEB required a change in driving style. He thought that "take off" was a bit less than normal, but I suspect that engineers have deliberately restrained the acceleration rate. My overall impression is that is an very good bus. It is quiet and smooth and performed well on the route. However I do have the following observations: - There does seem to be an element of brake snatch both at slow speed stopping and also speed changes at normal road speed. There is a technical reason for this: These BEBs use Permanent Magnet Motors, which means that as soon as the driver takes his foot off the "gas pedal", the bus immediately switches into braking mode. In contrast Translink's trolleybuses use Induction Motors, which are capable of allowing the bus to coast until the brake pedal is depressed. This gives a smoother transition from say driving at 50kph, coasting to slow down to say 40 kph and then applying the brakes on approach to a red light. - on this outing there was an annoying high pitched whine from a unit in the roof behind the driver's cabin. I had not noticed this on launch day. As has others have said, teething problems are inevitable at this stage. The main thing is to collect experience, data etc over the long term of the trial. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captaintrolley Posted September 24, 2019 Report Share Posted September 24, 2019 6 hours ago, martin607 said: Permanent Magnet Motors, which means that as soon as the driver takes his foot off the "gas pedal", the bus immediately switches into braking mode. In contrast Translink's trolleybuses use Induction Motors, which are capable of allowing the bus to coast until the brake pedal is depressed. Wonder why this is. One would think that coasting would be an advantage in order to get more mileage without using up battery power. Nothing like a good coast on a trolley !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion6784 Posted September 24, 2019 Report Share Posted September 24, 2019 1 hour ago, captaintrolley said: Wonder why this is. One would think that coasting would be an advantage in order to get more mileage without using up battery power. Nothing like a good coast on a trolley !!! Sounds like the bus is regenerating some of the power used for propulsion when braking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin607 Posted September 24, 2019 Report Share Posted September 24, 2019 2 hours ago, Peterbiltguy1989@gmail.com said: Sounds like the bus is regenerating some of the power used for propulsion when braking. Yes, it switches immediately to regenerative braking, but that causes the brake snatch feeling -it's not smooth. In contrast a bus with an induction motor can coast, just slowing down naturally and then either brake or pick up speed again as traffic conditions dictate. I've experienced this in electric cars. The VW eGolf allows coasting but the BMW i3 switches immediately to rather fierce regenerative braking. Technically, coasting can be more energy efficient as there are none of the electrical conversion losses present with regenerative braking. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Dunlop Posted September 24, 2019 Report Share Posted September 24, 2019 If the kneeler and ramp are used often, would that affect the range? Same for HVAC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted September 24, 2019 Report Share Posted September 24, 2019 27 minutes ago, martin607 said: Yes, it switches immediately to regenerative braking, but that causes the brake snatch feeling -it's not smooth. In contrast a bus with an induction motor can coast, just slowing down naturally and then either brake or pick up speed again as traffic conditions dictate. I've experienced this in electric cars. The VW eGolf allows coasting but the BMW i3 switches immediately to rather fierce regenerative braking. Technically, coasting can be more energy efficient as there are none of the electrical conversion losses present with regenerative braking. The Nissan Leaf EV allows coasting, but you have to switch it manually into neutral to do that. I think it is designed that way, coasting IS an option but some OEMs engineer things to make it easier than others do. I suspect you can coast in the BMW i3 too, but you have to know how to switch to that mode. Should be the same with buses. The bus driver's thinking that the electric bus does not require a change in driving style is curious. Everything I know about EVs is that there is a lot to learn to maximize smoothness and the efficiency potential of the regenerative braking. Other TA's and drivers have said that. For example, knowing how to coast and learn how to use the brakes as smoothly as possible. Regen braking (friction brakes are also part of the braking experience) has a different feel and its easy to waste a lot of battery power and drive less smoothly than possible. As you point out, the bite of the regen braking is programmable and can be made stronger or weaker. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin607 Posted September 24, 2019 Report Share Posted September 24, 2019 1 hour ago, Matt Dunlop said: If the kneeler and ramp are used often, would that affect the range? Same for HVAC? Yes. HVAC uses a lot of energy. Although the effect is less in a coastal city like Vancouver, experience elsewhere in cities with a continental climate (think Toronto) is that in a cold winter the HVAC can use about half of the battery energy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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