Forum for the entire range of BMW electric vehicles
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW i3 Forums BMW i3 General Discussion

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-06-2021, 01:41 PM   #1
TimeFor
Lieutenant
TimeFor's Avatar
United_States
180
Rep
489
Posts

Drives: 2019 i3S REx
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Hollywood, CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Dino Electric EVSE Charger - Project

This is a project I worked on during the pandemic. Made a level 2 charger as cool as the BMW i3 It's in my driveway. With gas prices in Los Angeles over $5/gal in some places, I'm starting to get a lot more questions about this and my i3. I tell people I fill up at home with the sweet sweet joules of electricity.

This my 2021 Dino Electric EVSE Pump



Its a 1940's Bowser & Co. gas pump (restored in Dino apparel) with a 32A ChargePoint and customized plug / handle. The pulling up on the handle actuates the J-1772 latch when attached to the vehicle. Having that actually functional is my favorite thing about this project. Anyways, this is how I charge my i3 everyday Hoping the attention it gets inspires more people to make the switch to electric.

Here are some older photos from before I changed the decals to Electric




*I know - I need new pictures with the car actually clean. On the ToDo's.
Appreciate 6
star631.50
vreihen1614883.50
ovesund77.50
Nahlem1144.00
      06-06-2021, 06:52 PM   #2
vreihen16
Recovering Perfectionist
vreihen16's Avatar
Ukraine
14884
Rep
938
Posts

Drives: 2015 BMW i3 BEV
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Orange County, NY

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I have wanted to do this very thing myself, but with a newer 1970's mechanical gas pump. I've got watches programmed on most of the local swap sites for a pump to convert.

Dumb question - Where did the J1772 nozzle come from?????
__________________
2015 BMW i3 BEV, Giga World (Lodge interior), Tech/Driving Assist Packages, 30K miles
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2021, 01:22 AM   #3
ovekvam
Brigadier General
Norway
266
Rep
3,290
Posts

Drives: 2021 Galvanic Gold i3S
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Bryne, Norway

iTrader: (0)

I think it looks awesome. Very well done.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2021, 10:47 AM   #4
Obioban
Emperor
Obioban's Avatar
1611
Rep
2,753
Posts

Drives: M3, M3, M5, M5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Chester, PA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW M5  [0.00]
2017 BMW i3  [0.00]
2005 BMW M3 Coupe  [0.00]
2001 BMW M5  [0.00]
The handle looks heavy... I might be concerned about the long term effect of that on the charge port.
__________________

2005 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Wagon, 2001 M5 Sedan, 2008 M5 6MT Sedan, 2012 128i M sport
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2021, 12:54 PM   #5
vreihen16
Recovering Perfectionist
vreihen16's Avatar
Ukraine
14884
Rep
938
Posts

Drives: 2015 BMW i3 BEV
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Orange County, NY

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
It can't be any heavier than some of the Level 3 charger connectors/cables that I've seen.....
__________________
2015 BMW i3 BEV, Giga World (Lodge interior), Tech/Driving Assist Packages, 30K miles
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2021, 01:20 PM   #6
Obioban
Emperor
Obioban's Avatar
1611
Rep
2,753
Posts

Drives: M3, M3, M5, M5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Chester, PA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW M5  [0.00]
2017 BMW i3  [0.00]
2005 BMW M3 Coupe  [0.00]
2001 BMW M5  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by vreihen16 View Post
It can't be any heavier than some of the Level 3 charger connectors/cables that I've seen.....
That's true, but their use is much less frequent than daily, like a Level 2.
__________________

2005 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Wagon, 2001 M5 Sedan, 2008 M5 6MT Sedan, 2012 128i M sport
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2021, 12:31 PM   #7
TimeFor
Lieutenant
TimeFor's Avatar
United_States
180
Rep
489
Posts

Drives: 2019 i3S REx
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Hollywood, CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by vreihen16 View Post
I have wanted to do this very thing myself, but with a newer 1970's mechanical gas pump. I've got watches programmed on most of the local swap sites for a pump to convert.

Dumb question - Where did the J1772 nozzle come from?????
It was custom made using the original nozzle and a J1772 replacement cord kit from Amazon. I can't take full credit for it. I designed it but I had a local maker / prop artist do the work on it. I keep telling him he should make a few as I bet he could sell just the handles. Its a key part of the conversion.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Obioban View Post
The handle looks heavy... I might be concerned about the long term effect of that on the charge port.
Yeah that could have been a concern and to be honest I hadn't really thought of that. But as it turned out it wasn't really an issue.

The handle is aluminum so its really not very heavy. The metal lock latch on the J-1772 keeps it reasonably secure against the car. The cord weight hanging down has more downward impact force than the handle itself.
Appreciate 2
vreihen1614883.50
      06-09-2021, 02:21 PM   #8
TimeFor
Lieutenant
TimeFor's Avatar
United_States
180
Rep
489
Posts

Drives: 2019 i3S REx
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Hollywood, CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
If anyone else wants to build one, here are a few close up photos of the handle bit. A lot of effort was put in making the new J1772 end waterproof. At least where the internal electrical terminations, switch, and resistor are. It helps that original nozzles held gasoline and thus liquid tight. This was probably not needed because the J1772 cord I started with was differently not waterproof. It was water resistant at best, but it was super suspect when I tore into it. Still, I can sleep easier knowing water isn't going to get inside the connector or cord.






Aside from the custom nozzle. A new receiving piece was needed on the pump side to hold the J1772 end in place. I referred to this as my cod piece. There was a lot of trail and error getting this right. Originals were cast iron. I may or may not cast this piece some day. Though keeping the plastic is safer electrically speaking. Without it the nozzle wouldn't stay upright in my pump. It's also needed to keep too much water from getting in the nozzle hole.



Last edited by TimeFor; 06-09-2021 at 02:29 PM..
Appreciate 1
vreihen1614883.50
      06-09-2021, 11:27 PM   #9
larryv
First Lieutenant
larryv's Avatar
64
Rep
399
Posts

Drives: 17 M3 ZCP 11X5 M Sport 20 I3
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Central Valley

iTrader: (5)

That looks GREAT!!!! and it works.
Appreciate 0
      06-10-2021, 04:09 PM   #10
Noggie
Captain
Noggie's Avatar
Norway
283
Rep
634
Posts

Drives: E31 850i,i3s
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Norway

iTrader: (0)

Very nicely done.
Dont have a fancy one like that, but my callbox is plenty good enough to provide 11Kw charging.

I just put fuel in my bike yesterday at what would be $7.6 a gallon for you, though some days of the week I can get it almost a dollar cheaper a gallon.

Makes the i3 really cheap to run, think I have put about $120 in electricity in it since November (3500km/2175mi).
__________________
_____________________________
-14 Imola Red M5 Competition Pack (sold)
-90 BMW 850i Supercharged
-20 i3s
-20 Ducati Diavel 1260s
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2021, 05:39 PM   #11
TimeFor
Lieutenant
TimeFor's Avatar
United_States
180
Rep
489
Posts

Drives: 2019 i3S REx
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Hollywood, CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Noggie View Post
$7.6 a gallon
Ouch, yeah if there was ever a case for than i3 that's it. Gas is about $4.50 - $4.70 for regular here right now. Put premium gas in the i3 yesterday for over $5. But at least that only need 2 gallons.

My Tundra gets like 12mpg on a good day so I haven't been driving it at all lately. Got the Rivian and F150 Lighting on order to replace it. Whichever shows up first wins I guess.
Appreciate 0
      06-12-2021, 02:05 PM   #12
Noggie
Captain
Noggie's Avatar
Norway
283
Rep
634
Posts

Drives: E31 850i,i3s
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Norway

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by TimeFor View Post
Ouch, yeah if there was ever a case for than i3 that's it. Gas is about $4.50 - $4.70 for regular here right now. Put premium gas in the i3 yesterday for over $5. But at least that only need 2 gallons.

My Tundra gets like 12mpg on a good day so I haven't been driving it at all lately. Got the Rivian and F150 Lighting on order to replace it. Whichever shows up first wins I guess.
Fuel prices in Europe is higher than the US, Norway tends to be at the very top.

My M5 averages 18mpg and the 850 is same as yours, 12mpg. The Ducati gets 47mpg so thats great.

The i3 has definitely become my "go-to car" for office commute and shopping.

Covid has also reduced my need for driving a lot, pretty much been working from home since April 2020, virtually eliminating my annual 5500mi office commute.
__________________
_____________________________
-14 Imola Red M5 Competition Pack (sold)
-90 BMW 850i Supercharged
-20 i3s
-20 Ducati Diavel 1260s
Appreciate 1
vreihen1614883.50
      06-16-2021, 07:34 PM   #13
35mphgolf
Second Lieutenant
91
Rep
240
Posts

Drives: ‘18 Macan Turbo
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: VA

iTrader: (2)



that’s amazing
Appreciate 0
      09-24-2021, 04:01 AM   #14
kuba-kubula
Registered
0
Rep
4
Posts

Drives: BMW i3, BMW E91
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Czech Republic

iTrader: (0)

Really cool "charging" station.

I would be a bit worried around electricity safety due to the handle being conductive, and not made from plastic/ABS...
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2021, 09:59 PM   #15
TimeFor
Lieutenant
TimeFor's Avatar
United_States
180
Rep
489
Posts

Drives: 2019 i3S REx
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Hollywood, CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by kuba-kubula View Post
Really cool "charging" station.

I would be a bit worried around electricity safety due to the handle being conductive, and not made from plastic/ABS...
The metal handle is attached to the cable's ground wire. It would trip the charger's internal GFCI if either L1 or L2 made contact. But all of the contact points are inside the ABS portion of the handle, not the metal side. So I didn't think this was a high risk.
Appreciate 1
vreihen1614883.50
      10-14-2021, 12:01 AM   #16
alainrmz
Registered
0
Rep
4
Posts

Drives: BMW 328i 2016
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 BMW 328i  [0.00]
2022 BMW X6  [0.00]
Original idea!
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:33 AM.




bmw
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST