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Fake PHEV charging lead

Free parking
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Charging points for electric vehicles are becoming more and more common in urban areas.

It is noticeable that in locations where there is a parking charge, these bays are exempt.

For those entirely lacking a a conscience or any sense of morality, the new BorgCo Fake Charging Kit is ideal.

The equipment consists of a sturdy plastic case containing a selection of decals - both self-adhesive and magnetic - and a cable with a standard EV charge connector on one end.

However, the other end of the cable has the back end of an EV connector permanently fixed to a moulding that looks like a vehicle charger port, complete with battery-powered flashing LED. The dummy moulding can be attached either magnetically, or using the integral large-diameter suction cup.

The decals are to be strategically placed on the front and rear bodywork to add to the air of verisimilitude.

Pull up, plug in, don't pay to park ...

8th of 7, Jun 28 2016


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       I'm not sure of the electronic specifications of charging ports, but I have heard ideas regarding using the large capacity of electric vehicle batteries for smoothing some of the peaks and troughs of electrical demand. Now, that means that power can flow OUT of the car, in theory at least. Can I install a charging port outside my house that uses the excess power to run my drier? This is cheap and convenient (for me), but will result in an immobile lump of a discharged car. I am however, on good (commission based) terms with a local towing company who will happily remove and store the vehicle in a secure location far away from any potentially corrupt charging stations. Owners are free to drive their vehicle away upon payment of relevant fees, just bring a gallon of electricity /bucket of AAAs/whatever they run on. This re-sets the trap.... ahem, clears the charging station for fresh victims, ahem, concerned environmentalists.   

       I expect the current DNC is the sort of opportunity that would work well for my service.
bs0u0155, Jun 28 2016
  

       Out of interest, do people using these bays for legitimate charging have to pay for the electricity? If not, then presumably there is an opportunity to build a car consisting almost totally of batteries, which could just about haul itself to and from the charging station, returning home with fresh, free electricity.
MaxwellBuchanan, Jun 28 2016
  

       While you're there, why not use the charging point to charge some batteries ?
FlyingToaster, Jun 28 2016
  

       "I never knew they made hybrid Plymouth Furies!"
RayfordSteele, Jun 28 2016
  

       "Remember, you heard it here first, folks ...."
8th of 7, Jun 28 2016
  

       //there is an opportunity to build a car consisting almost totally of batteries//   

       Van, Shirley? Anyhow, EVs are almost totally batteries. And if it is possible to get power out easily, there's more than enough capacity for a small house for a week.
bs0u0155, Jun 28 2016
  

       So, is charging at these public stations free?   

       <edit> OK, so a quick search shows that many of these charging points are free in the UK, and have power outputs of up to 50kW.   

       Mains electricity costs about £0.1 per kWh here. A Tesla powerpack has a capacity of something like 10kWh. Ten such packs would run your house for at least day or two, and (on a simple calculation) would take about 2hr to charge, saving you £10 per charge.
MaxwellBuchanan, Jun 28 2016
  

       // Mains electricity costs about £0.1 per kWh here //   

       ... unless you drain free energy from EV charging points .... or lamp-posts ...
8th of 7, Jun 28 2016
  

       I have yet to come across a single example outside of a secured paddock that didn't require some sort of ID to enable it here in the states. They all also appear to be equipped with lights indicating their current status re. legitimacy.
WcW, Jun 28 2016
  

       The main objective of the idea is free parking... indicator lamps on the pedestal can be faked with a stick-on LED device.   

       // drain //   

       Actually, "harvest" might be a better word...
8th of 7, Jun 28 2016
  

       I'll need to spend some time reading this again. I don't get it.
pashute, Jun 29 2016
  

       // lights indicating their current status re. legitimacy //   

       Obviously the solution is to draw power and just dump it into a dummy load. Maybe fill the boot with water, boiling it away should buy you at least a few hours of free parking.   

       "Why does your electric car have a chimney?"   

       "Not a chimney mate, it's a cooling tower"   

       You could make it look like Mr Fusion.
mitxela, Jun 29 2016
  

       //Maybe fill the boot with water, boiling it away should buy you at least a few hours of free parking//   

       Hmm, actually that becomes a problem quickly. 50kW is approx 25 (unregulated by the EU) kettles' worth. That would be quite a cloud of steam.
bs0u0155, Jun 29 2016
  


 

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