Regen. when braking - how?

[EVsince2016]

About once a week I leave home on 100% and as all directions are downhill I do steady braking down hill to polish the disks

 

[Paulj]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I find it quite surprising that the level of KERS is so high that it can actually stop the car. It seems that the traditional braking system is really just a form of backup. Watching the discs for signs of rust through little use is a very good point and not one that anyone coming into an EV for the first time would ever think about, I'm pleased that something useful has come out of this discussion.

 

[Paulj]

Aren't forums great?

 

[Petriix]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I find it quite surprising that the level of KERS is so high that it can actually stop the car. It seems that the traditional braking system is really just a form of backup. Watching the discs for signs of rust through little use is a very good point and not one that anyone coming into an EV for the first time would ever think about, I'm pleased that something useful has come out of this discussion.

Regen can't stop the car. The brake pedal will blend the friction brakes in as you brake harder and they completely take over when you get to about 5mph, below which you don't get any regen at all.

 

[Paulj]

Out of interest, I have just taken the car out and at about 50 mph, put it into neutral then braking and, as far as I could tell no KERS was used and all the work was done by the friction brakes, so maybe that is a way to keep them working over time.

 

[Jomarkh]

Why did you put it into neutral. Kers 3 works best in drive just taken your foot off the accelerator ?

 

[smokie]

Yes Paul, I mentioned that method upthread

Jomarkh, occasionally slipping it into neutral (thus bypassing KERS) and doing some long braking stops build up of crud on the actual brakes

 

[Petriix]

I wouldn't coast in neutral at speed as it could lead to a buildup of back EMF which might do some damage. Coasting from low speed or just breaking against the creep of the car should keep the brakes clean enough.

 

[smokie]

The suggestion isn't that people should coast. It is to occasionally spend a short period in neutral solely while braking, to force the mechanical braking to be used , thus keeping them clean and preventing them sticking. I don't think a few seconds in neutral would harm anything, and I'm not clear why it would be different doing it at high or low speed. I think the idea behind suggesting high was that some braking force would be needed whereas at low speeds you really could end up coasting around

The other suggestion was to not manually take off the handbrake after use but I don't believe that was seen as being so effective.

 

[Kithmo]

I wouldn't coast in neutral at speed as it could lead to a buildup of back EMF which might do some damage. Coasting from low speed or just breaking against the creep of the car should keep the brakes clean enough.

I think the manual says 3 mph max or something similar.