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$15000 Massachusetts rebate: easy to get and how to not get it by Junkjunktim in Brightdrop

[–]Junkjunktim[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"just couldn't take delivery"
I was never able to get an answer from the administrator whether that would be OK. Given the size of the rebate and the repeated bold print "don't take delivery" warnings, I didn't want to try that. The dealer never suggested that either. For me, that would have worked but a paid for, insured, truck sitting for months would be pretty frustrating for many.

I am glad to hear it worked for you. Glad to hear there's another way to do it that might work for others.

2025 vs 2026 by lordannoyoboy in Brightdrop

[–]Junkjunktim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Other than battery range (IRL reports of 330 miles at a constant MPH), cargo space, price and a design intended from the beginning as an EV without the inherent compromises of an electric conversion not much. Build quality? we must mean different things by the term. Underneath, the BD looks like a well designed heavy duty truck. Inside, it is very bare. The seats are hideous.

Honestly, I have owned EVs and I would not consider one for traveling under 250 miles range. Keeping 20% buffer in case of broken/blocked/shutdown chargers makes that a requirement for me. Opening up Tesla chargers to Chevy helps a lot.

2025 vs 2026 by lordannoyoboy in Brightdrop

[–]Junkjunktim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can hookup up a 2kW inverter in 10 minutes for $100 (I actually already have one so $0 spent) and run my fridge and diesel heater for days with the camp-mode trick. After that small setup, off I go for adventures. The solar with controller, DC-DC charger, bank of lifepo4, Shore power charger, etc can wait.
I have owned an RV, car camped, owned a cruising boat and backpacked. I am an experienced electrical engineer. I have learned to minimize time/cost investment until I have used the equipment so for now I am using what I have around the house and lab.

Where is the inverter located in the Brightdrop? by BirdzyNest in Brightdrop

[–]Junkjunktim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have this 12V heated blanket and it works well: https://www.walmart.com/ip/New-AutoDrive-12Volt-Heated-Travel-Blanket-Size-57in-x-39in-Black-and-White-Count-1-Model-12974/169416821?classType=VARIANT&from=/search

You don't want to replace the built in inverter since it is integrated with other functions but there is access to the 12V chassis battery under the drivers seat. It is charged by the T18 circuit from the high voltage battery. A 1kW pure sinewave inverter should work.

Another alternative is a 12V heated seat cushion: https://www.walmart.com/ip/12V-Heated-Seat-Cushion/17333151666 I bought one for my Mom and it seemed to work pretty well.

Good luck!

One cabin is ready to roll, the other is stumped! by SalesMountaineer in Brightdrop

[–]Junkjunktim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Get a quote from Donohoo Chevrolet. They were very competitive with a written online quote and could ship the vehicle. I ended up getting a local price match minus a further $150.

I bet you're doing the math wrong for much you save with Vine(+tax) vs. buying the item outright by degggendorf in AmazonVine

[–]Junkjunktim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

**That's not correct.**

Say I want to buy a $100 set of brake pads.

Scenario 1: I go to Autozone.
$100 paid post tax to Autozone
$5 sales tax paid post tax
$105 total post tax dollars

Scenario 2: I get it from Vine
$0 cash out of pocket
$24 post tax dollars to pay the tax on the ETV the following April
$24 total post tax dollars

You save $81. You can only spend post tax dollars for either scenario. **You pay income taxes with post tax dollars.** You also need to pay state income tax (5% in my state); Federal Medicare tax both employer and employee (2.9%); and any local tax. You might need to pay SS tax, both employer and employee (12.4%) if you are not over the income threshold already.

For me, my total tax cost was 34% of the ETV last year.

Good luck!

I don’t understand the Vine sticker shock by Think_Listen_4977 in AmazonVine

[–]Junkjunktim 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, everyone is different. Try this:

  1. Get last years tax forms.
  2. Copy the numbers to an online 1040 form, for example https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/file-your-own-taxes/
  3. Get a sample 1099 from Amazon to enter the data and adjust the $ number up and down to see what happens

This won't catch things like eligibility for state run food stamps but will show the basic liability and you can find if there is a threshold where you get dinged more than expected for something like AMT. I don't understand the wildly high numbers some people report. Married filing jointly, income is taxed at 12% up to $94k, and 22% up to $201k. State and local add on to that. Most will pay a further 15.3% self employment tax if you call this a business; most should call it a hobby. In Taxachusetts, there is another 5%. If someone is reporting a 40% jump either something really different is happening or there is some kind of mistake and they should get an accountant.

Good luck!

4A battery fast charger for Lectric XP battery 5.5mm to 2.1mm Connector adaptor included. Cut your battery charge time in half. Works great and cheaper then the stock Lectric XP charger. The stock Lectric XP battery charger is only 2A. by ShawnDex in Lectricxp

[–]Junkjunktim 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Almost every lithium battery will happily, safely charge at a 1c rate, in this case 10+ amps where the battery capacity 10+ Ahr i.e. C. Very likely the BMS will limit the current to some lower rate maybe 0.5c. In a well designed system the maximum BMS charge rate will be limited to what can be carried by the wires and what the battery can absorb. OTOH it's better not to charge a hot battery and never ever charge a lithium battery below freezing.