As my BMW i3-Rex purchase approaches, I'm looking at driving from Houston TX to Huntsville AL via the casinos. The range extender might not be great but at least we'll be able to drive the car. However, we plan to stay over night at Casinos in: Lake Charles LA Baton Rouge MS Vicksburg MS So I'd like to charge the car over night and think I've found "ChargePoint" stations in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge. Nothing in Vicksburg except the Nissan dealer and I suspect it is not 'open to the public.' So these are the options I'm thinking I have: Long, heavy duty, 110 VAC, 15A extension cord - coordinate with owner to see if I can plug-in somewhere. Risk, it might trip a circuit breaker on the circuit. Camp overnight at an RV park and snatch a charge. Little or no risk. Beg a charge at a BMW dealer? Google is not being terribly helpful. The BMW i3 forums are OK but the information seems sparse. So I'm wondering if you' all have any recommended sources about 'how to get a charge' on the road? Bob Wilson
Using the J1772 connectors at various dealers "shouldn't" be a problem. 24/7 access shouldn't be taken as a given as the lot may have gates or the spaces may be ICEd. Be polite, call ahead & ask permission. Some free stations need a card for activation. Open accounts with every network in your travel area. At the EEVC meetings at the high school we can charge a LEAF with the 6.6kwh charger without blowing a fuse. Trying to charge two will trip a circuit breaker in the classroom. When possible let the business know you chose to patronize them because of he charging station. Enjoy the trip.
So far, it looks like one casino in Lake Charles has charging stations. A second one has RV hookups. But Biloxi, no luck, yet. I'll give the Tourist office a call on Monday. Bob Wilson
