My Dongfeng Nanobox - a case study of an electric vehicle in the Philippines

[vivafoxpro]

I noticed that after charging for a while then turn on Nanobox without turning on the aircon, the radiator cooling fan starts. This led me to conclude that heat generated from charging needs to be dissipated. Here is the the method I always use.

[vivafoxpro]

Wanting to change the color of my Nanobox's DRL, I managed to open one but during the process I tore off the soldered wires and learned that the LEDs are soldered and not user replaceable. It was very difficult to re-attach the wires and I discourage anyone planning the same.

[dr. d]

Wanting to change the color of my Nanobox's DRL, I managed to open one but during the process I tore off the soldered wires and learned that the LEDs are soldered and not user replaceable. It was very difficult to re-attach the wires and I discourage anyone planning the same.

errr...
the video does not appear to be the supporting document of your tearing off the soldered wires...

[vivafoxpro]

Dongfeng Nanobox Programmable Brake Light

Every bit of safety feature we can add to our vehicle is always a good idea. A flashing brake light is better than a steady one. This programmable brake light controller from Lazada is a level above the rest. Not only adding safety, but also cool looking!

[dr. d]

Dongfeng Nanobox Programmable Brake Light

Every bit of safety feature we can add to our vehicle is always a good idea. A flashing brake light is better than a steady one. This programmable brake light controller from Lazada is a level above the rest. Not only adding safety, but also cool looking!

nice DIY project.

as an aside,
are flashing (main) brake lights legal...?

i have seen some of these flashing/blinking (main) brake lights in the past.
in my view, if the bulbs are traditional filament-types, and the blinking is "too fast", it means they will not get bright enough, before current is shut down, making it sub-optimal. in my opinion, pang-LED lang yan. LEDs kasi, can go to full power near-instantly, while filamented bulbs have a lag period. that is, if it were legal...
fortunately, flashing main brake lights appear to have waned.

but for the accessory brake light or third brake light... ok lang sakin.
sa totoo lang, i don't notice the third brake light. i look at the main brake lights kasi. maybe because these third brake lights are... too small or too weak...
if memory serves, those third brake lights were favored by the car behind the car immediately behind ... it gave them early warning...

[Walter]

Third brake lights became useful and in vogue in the US ... because their signal lights are red color ...

[LOLZ]

nice DIY project.

as an aside,
are flashing (main) brake lights legal...?

i have seen some of these flashing/blinking (main) brake lights in the past.
in my view, if the bulbs are traditional filament-types, and the blinking is "too fast", it means they will not get bright enough, before current is shut down, making it sub-optimal. in my opinion, pang-LED lang yan. LEDs kasi, can go to full power near-instantly, while filamented bulbs have a lag period. that is, if it were legal...
fortunately, flashing main brake lights appear to have waned.

but for the accessory brake light or third brake light... ok lang sakin.
sa totoo lang, i don't notice the third brake light. i look at the main brake lights kasi. maybe because these third brake lights are... too small or too weak...
if memory serves, those third brake lights were favored by the car behind the car immediately behind ... it gave them early warning...

Not sure at the legality of third party add-ons but some vehicles/markets(not sure if vehicles for our market are programmed to do this) flash the main brake lights or the hazards when braking hard enough to engage ABS to differentiate panic stops from normal braking to following traffic.

[dr. d]

Not sure at the legality of third party add-ons but some vehicles/markets(not sure if vehicles for our market are programmed to do this) flash the main brake lights or the hazards when braking hard enough to engage ABS to differentiate panic stops from normal braking to following traffic.

it would appear, our local laws might be in need of "modernization"...
but until so, our current laws shall hold sway.

[vivafoxpro]

Other owners of the Nanobox have confirmed my experience that bad odors manage to come in through the recirculate/vent port. It seems to not seal tightly during "recirculate" setting. Here is the solution I found to be effective.

[vivafoxpro]

Flooding is frequent and it's normal to plow through some during our day to day driving. Yesterday we drove through what I would consider moderately deep waters enough to submerge the rear drum brakes of my cute Nanobox. Upon reaching home and parking in my garage, it is a requirement that I engage the manual handbrake. This electric car does not have a "1st gear" to engage as an "engine brake" to keep the car from rolling freely.

This morning, the brake pads dried stuck to the drum and resisted my gentle "throttle" in reverse. Upon pressing the "gas" pedal strongly the brakes broke loose with some cracking sound. I wasn't fazed since I did experience this on my old ICE cars.

I remember a tip from old times that after "plunging" into flood waters, one should lightly press on the brakes while also pressing the gas pedal so the brake pads heat up enough to evaporate any water still on the pads.

This brings up a unique situation with electric cars : Pressing the brake disables the accelerator and gentle braking really does not engage the brake pads but go on battery regeneration.

Off the top of my head, after going through deep enough flood, my idea is to try to drive at a higher speed to expell the water via centrifugal force and upon parking, do not use the handbrake overnight but use some peice of wood or rock to keep it from rolling. This will allow the water to naturally drip and dry.

[vivafoxpro]

Nakialam kasi ERC nung June kaya ngayon binabawi nila...

[dr. d]

i guess we'll just have to put up with this 'sticky brake pad syndrome'.

i wonder,
does the manual brake have to be pulled up all the way, until the brake holds?
baka puede, first click lang ay deactivated na, even as the pads aren't pressing hard against the metal yet?

[bxr monkey]

This morning, the brake pads dried stuck to the drum and resisted my gentle "throttle" in reverse. Upon pressing the "gas" pedal strongly the brakes broke loose with some cracking sound. I wasn't fazed since I did experience this on my old ICE cars.

I remember a tip from old times that after "plunging" into flood waters, one should lightly press on the brakes while also pressing the gas pedal so the brake pads heat up enough to evaporate any water still on the pads.

This brings up a unique situation with electric cars : Pressing the brake disables the accelerator and gentle braking really does not engage the brake pads but go on battery regeneration.

Off the top of my head, after going through deep enough flood, my idea is to try to drive at a higher speed to expell the water via centrifugal force and upon parking, do not use the handbrake overnight but use some peice of wood or rock to keep it from rolling. This will allow the water to naturally drip and dry.

Puwede din yata habang normal cruising, gently engage manual parking brake until may light contact sa brakes? Laging naka press sa handbrake release button para ma adjust ang pressure...

[vivafoxpro]

i guess we'll just have to put up with this 'sticky brake pad syndrome'.

i wonder,
does the manual brake have to be pulled up all the way, until the brake holds?
baka puede, first click lang ay deactivated na, even as the pads aren't pressing hard against the metal yet?

Since the Nanobox has no gearbox, it will roll away on an incline. I used to put my Swift in 1st gear as a "brake" which does not apply here.

[vivafoxpro]

Puwede din yata habang normal cruising, gently engage manual parking brake until may light contact sa brakes? Laging naka press sa handbrake release button para ma adjust ang pressure...

Once the computer detects the pulled handbrake (well before it bites) it goes into regen mode. Exactly the same way it happens with the brake pedal.

[dr. d]

Since the Nanobox has no gearbox, it will roll away on an incline. I used to put my Swift in 1st gear as a "brake" which does not apply here.

get a wheel stopper.
two 12 inch long pieces of 2 x 2 inch wood.
wedge them against a tyre.
do not engage the handbreak.
but i wonder, does it have a physical key, and will you be able to pull the key out?

[bxr monkey]

Once the computer detects the pulled handbrake (well before it bites) it goes into regen mode. Exactly the same way it happens with the brake pedal.

Ah ok, connected din pala regen sa manual handbrake. Walang setting na ma disable or reduce ang regen?

[carxynogen]

Since the Nanobox has no gearbox, it will roll away on an incline. I used to put my Swift in 1st gear as a "brake" which does not apply here.

Question, pwd din ba engine braking to when cruising on slopy road?
I assume to engine brake on EV, you just have to remove your feet from accelerator and the engine will decelerate until it stops.

[vivafoxpro]

get a wheel stopper.
two 12 inch long pieces of 2 x 2 inch wood.
wedge them against a tyre.
do not engage the handbreak.
but i wonder, does it have a physical key, and will you be able to pull the key out?

I just use some chunks of stone lying around.
Yes it does have a "retro" key and steering lock. None of the "keyless" and "push to start" nonsense that marketing cooks up to sell a "feature" when in fact they removed a part and saved some money.

Much like Nike selling us "Air" haha

[vivafoxpro]

Ah ok, connected din pala regen sa manual handbrake. Walang setting na ma disable or reduce ang regen?

Nope , Nanobox is barebone practical but safety features like TPMS, dual airbag and EBD are standard