The ULTIMATE Citroen Ami RANGE EXTENDER?

Is this the ULTIMATE Citroen Ami RANGE EXTENDER? We trial OUKITEL Portable power station.
#Citroenami #southoffrance #citroenamiuk #electriccarjourney Oukitel
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[@hvxcolors396]

Maybe that Nukitel can give you such a portable nuclear power station, that would allow you to travel the world with your Ami! Keep up the good work.

[@MeandMonAmi]

That’s what we need. Nukes!;

[@prieten49]

It makes for a nice little table if you are having a picnic in your car!

[@MeandMonAmi]

True and you could keep your ice cold!

[@antoniopalmero4063]

The ami roof should be all solar , which could trickle / recharge this power station .

[@chatters7969]

You could fit a 50w flexible panel on the inside of the glass roof and attach to the steel frame with Velcro strips. This would not damage or alter the vehicle

[@sugerbear586]

It would also take some of the heat off the car on hot days.

[@MeandMonAmi]

It would be quite tricky to secure though given the amis plastic roof

[@markthomasson5077]

@@MeandMonAmi3M VHB tape.

[@globalonemusic2381]

Tim: I must observe something VERY positive in the films you and Mr. Boo do. Quite seriously, as we watch each new film, that to which we pay attention is each community where you film. For example, today's film shows a very quite peaceful shoreline community, people in the background minding their own business and over all "social serenity" for all the right reasons. THAT also literally comes through via your tone of voice and overall speech. Always very calm, deliberate, focused, etc. And THAT is a reflection of the environment in which you live and the positive affect it has on the "psychiatric stamina" of calm, focused behavior. :) Honestly, regardless of what subject matter you two address, from the auto, to real estate, to well known houses, etc......all of it presents such an elegant, peaceful and positive presentation of the Riviera Region. Indeed, IT IS. about "environment". :). Excellent, as always, Sir. :). Antoine

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Antoine. I’m so glad you are enjoying. I guess environment has a big effect on everything..

[@lookoutleo]

I have an oukitel power bank, had it for years and it's been very reliable . Very interesting video , thanks for posting

[@MeandMonAmi]

That’s good to know.. these big power banks are so new it’s hard to test reliability

[@nickwebb9290]

What a fabulous gizmo, that’s indispensable 👍

[@MeandMonAmi]

It’s the first one that hasn’t left the cab..

[@haydne]

Love your videos, you are a great presenter! (Yes Mr Boo you are as well) I don't have an electric car, I've been waiting since last July for a petrol Golf, might be ready in June 2023!! Anyway, I love your channel it's a treat to watch it!

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks so much!

[@vikingsystem]

great Elton's range extender, pretty good device, a little bit heavy but worth it. pleasant mid week video Tim.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks. It’s the first one that fits well enough to make worth carrying round. One that totally fits in the suitcase bit would be a game changer

[@Oldsmobile69]

You should see about the dead space behind the rear body panel. There might be room for that thing back there. I've seen someone put a diesel generator in there. Cut a square hole in the plastic and ad some hinges and a lock and you're good to go #amihacks

[@MeandMonAmi]

There’s definitely space under there

[@antoniopalmero4063]

Cheers guys 🇬🇧

[@kerbsidemotors9249]

Loving the adventures

[@MeandMonAmi]

More to come!

[@ToreHansen]

Ami II should have holder for one of this... cool video!

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks!

[@ToreHansen]

Did I miss a maiden episode?! Cool video!

[@MeandMonAmi]

You had a week off

[@davidmarshall5596]

Mister Me and Mister Boo..this is a pretty decent bit of kit. Like you say if you're just doing local commutes then its something you don't really need but for people like yourself on road trips then this gives extra piece of mind to ease range ' anxiety' ad time moves forward battery range will improve so sometime down the line range between charging should increase significantly...great review..stay well & of course stay charged 👌 👍

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks David. It does save us looking for chargers or losing hours of filming time looking for them!

[@richardbas2948]

Hi Tim and Richard, I have a tip for you Mr Boo! When sunshine 'hits' the lens, it will get out of focus, all automatic cameras do..... But if you're photographing 'against the sun', you can keep direct sun of the lens, by simply use your free hand! Just the way you would do to protect your eyes: slightly bent but 'out of sight' of the lens's sensor!

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks good tip! TBH Ithink the odd focus issue is also caused by my laziness in not reframing the computational bokeh of the iPhone in post like I normally do.

[@mjack1935]

nice, it all comes together, just needs a little time.

[@thomasmezei3231]

Great job nice plug, I hope they made you the CEO!😊

[@MeandMonAmi]

Next week! It’s genuinely useful I wouldn’t plug something I think is rubbish or I’d say!

[@bru_haha]

You may want to reach out to Anker to see if they will send you one of their 767 power stations which is supposed to be 3cm narrower than that Oukitel to fit better in that space and has better specs. The EU version is supposed to release in February so it would be timely 😉

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks that’s very interesting.. will look it up..

[@gregmartyn1976]

I wonder if you could put it on its side with the plus side up. Would it fit better and is it safe to have on its side? Great video. Tempting me more and more into going and test-driving an ami. Not as sunny in Scotland but i think it would be great around town. Keep up the great videos

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Greg. I think you maybe could but not sure about yeh implications for the battery. It’s a great fun just be wary you need a fan in Summer and maybe a coat in winter?

[@Silverfoxwolfen]

I wonder if anyone will design a power station that actually fits into the luggage space section of an Ami. The fact it can even charge and support the maximum draw of the Ami is a major plus, the trouble is the cost of the actual units that can do this. Puts a lot of people off from buying one of the units.

[@parkview113]

Eco flow Delta Max 2100 fits and you can have two tehered giving extra 32 miles - I have 2

[@bertjesklotepino]

that yellow 12 volt port, isnt that to hook up a solar panel to have it be charged by a solar panel?

[@julieg5610]

Apologies if this has been suggested before, but have you considered a solar panel fixed to the roof? Akin to what a campervan would have. You could trickle charge your battery whenever the sun is up. I saw a chap had done this with a Chinese electric truck he ordered online! Great videos BTW!

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks. The problem is the relative gain is so small that I don’t think it’s worth it. I’ve seen them on Amos being used on airport runways but it turns out they only power peripherals

[@sailingcate1838]

I live on a sailing boat, so, what you suggest i can use on my boat, i have a small Bluetti and a wonderful Montek that Is very thin and perfect!

[@MeandMonAmi]

That’s great but sadly a small Bluetti won’t charge our car. Which bluetti do you use?

[@sugerbear586]

Someone needs to build a custom Ami battery that fits perfectly into the gap.

[@parkview113]

the Ecoflow Delta Max 2100 kwh does I have one and an Ami plus a second Delta Max giving you total of about 32 extra range (miles)

[@MeandMonAmi]

I agrée one made for the job would sell well I think

[@forrmol]

They should offer 2 version of battery 5 kw and 10 kw.I don't understand why you design such a car and not providing a bigger battery in the space left out.

[@HenkModderman]

Nice!

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks!

[@jackoneil3933]

Thanks Tim! A good find and companion for the AMI. Something else to consider about power stations like the OUKITEL and BLUETTI is that they use Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LifePo4) chemistry batteries that typically are good for about 3000 charge cycles, and are inherently much safer than the Lithium-Ion battery chemistry uses in smaller and less expensive brands and models, such as most popular Jackery Brand models. at 3:00, the extra 10Amp, 12V port is an 'XT-90' Plug socket that's becoming a popular alternative to the traditional 12V cigarette lighter socket. I suspect in your unit's case it may be possible to use it to connect a 12V battery charging cable for charging other 12v vehicles and batteries, or to power 12V accessories that use that style of plug.. One handy feature that appears to be missing from the OUKITEL that the Bluetti might have had, is a secondary battery port to plug to extend capacity.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks Jack. Yes you can’t add another battery to this like the Bluetti

[@bertjesklotepino]

sir, are you sure the 10 amp 12 volt is for what you say it is? I remember such a plug to be used to plug in a solar panel, so that this device will charge up by solar power? I might be wrong.

[@jackoneil3933]

@@bertjesklotepino I did look at the website for the OUKITEL P2001, before submitting my comment, and I just looked a bit deeper on the same website, and I don't see anything that references that connector being designated a solar charging input, but seemingly as a 12 V, 10 amp output. Depending on how the battery management system is wired, it might be possible to charge the main battery back through that same connector, and the battery management or protection circuitry without overcharging or damaging the battery, but I would want to be in so the manual and schematics to make sure before trying to charge back through that port. Also, portable power stations that support solar charging usually have a dedicated MPPT Solar charging port that is labeled and designated with the designed voltage and current input. Basically, a built-in solar charge controller that can step-up or reduce solar charging voltage as needed depending on solar panel output.

[@MeandMonAmi]

@@bertjesklotepino the solar socket Is on the side Bert next to the power in socket.

[@bertjesklotepino]

@@jackoneil3933 Right. You seem to have done your homework much faster than i ever did. I just watched a video from David McLuckie. Anker 767 Powerhouse is the title. Between 2:00 and 4:00 he shows the charge ports and such. That port looks pretty much the same as what we see in the video from mr Tim here. But, if there aint anything in the manual about charging with a solar panel, then i assume i must be wrong. It is just that i recognized that port from this video when i was watching David's video. (or at least they do look pretty much the same......)

[@robertfrost6246]

How about installing a restraining strap for it? You don't want to be dancing with that if you get in an accident.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Indeed!

[@mikeenglish6401]

Wonderful……..

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks

[@paulboardman01]

that yellow plug is ideal for drone batteries

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks!

[@ProfSimonHolland]

will it work on its side / vertically? probably not! Mr Boo... you might enjoy a 4k gopro or a 4k canon 90d with faster autofocus. ....cheers guys.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Don’t think so Simon. We’ve got three go pros! The issue here was I was too lazy to re frame the computational bokeh on the cinematic iPhone 13 Pro Max!

[@ProfSimonHolland]

@@MeandMonAmi i know the feeling! i just made a film with the wrong date! yt fun

[@marchorton1070]

Hi can you drive the ami with the charger plugged in.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Afraid not

[@ziggarillo]

What about the space behind the drivers seat?

[@MeandMonAmi]

Not big enough for battery sadly

[@ScottBakernewthinking]

Does it fit better if you take off the middle netting?

[@MeandMonAmi]

Nope it’s the moulding of the vehicle

[@Jamienomore]

A Very Very interesting Video. Am I correct in thinking that with this Charger in Elton, when your Battery is almost flat and you connected the Charger, you would be able to do a total of 84 miles?

[@mjack1935]

no, roughly 90 km, 56 miles

[@Jamienomore]

@@mjack1935 So you just get an extra 14ish miles.

[@parkview113]

correct I can get an extra 34/6 miles with two Ecoflow Delta Max 2100 kwh stations tethered together - on of which fits right back in the storage

[@MeandMonAmi]

Only add an extra 12 miles range

[@parkview113]

@@MeandMonAmi think Eric. D ( the German guy on F/B with the Jackary said his 2000w Jackary would deliver an extra 16/17 miles on a full charge from the powerbank... (I was in a dedicated conversation with him on the point and that was his reply (26-28 km.) in extra range provided. regards, Bill

[@Aussiedave54]

You should find another one for the other foot😂

[@storm4710]

What happens if you try to drive with it plugged into the power station pulling the cord through the window? Trying to charge while driving? Best regards Martin

[@MeandMonAmi]

No way sadly. Handbrake has to be fully on for charging to commence in any context

[@pt020]

Isn't it possible just to instal a second original battery behind your sit?

[@MeandMonAmi]

I think you’d be better doing that (if it works) under the car

[@BLCBob]

Might have been asked before, but how much range do you lose on the Ami due to the weight of the battery? Would be curious to find out more.

[@MeandMonAmi]

I dont think it’s greatly significant. I mean you could say the same from having a passenger or from having a heavy v light passenger.

[@BLCBob]

@@MeandMonAmi I can't imagine it does much either tbh, I'm just curious.

[@dantoes1]

I was wondering if this would work while driving if you bypass the parking brake sensor,

[@mjack1935]

that would likely interfere with the charging parameters. the voltage inside the drive battery would constantly be higher due to charging and the estimated range could not be determined properly. that could lead to a failure message and somethings being shut down. by the way, the ami can be charged in any batt condition, we do not have to wait until empty. even if it is just topped up, its charger will stop the flow and the rest remains inside the external batt.

[@parkview113]

@@mjack1935 true I have 2 x Ecoflow Delta Max and u can only charge when the handbrake is engaged

[@dantoes1]

@@mjack1935 interesting, I would love to add an extra battery for winter u hijsage, the range in winter is around 40-50km. My model (rocks e) is comming in q2 of 2023. I am also thinking how could protect the battery in winter, have seen videos of a speed drop due cold temperatures.

[@markthomasson5077]

Sure someone who understands the electronics could sort this one.

[@user-ik8zs5yo2t]

Hello Can the vehicle be charged while travelling?

[@MeandMonAmi]

Nope

[@t3labvision179]

Hi, crazy question...Would be possible ti charge AMI when you're driving? That would be insane

[@richardbas2948]

I was thinking of that, but no ev can charge while driving! I was thinking about an extra battery in a small trailer... (rolling weight is lighter than carrying!)

[@t3labvision179]

@@richardbas2948 I mean conceptual is no wrong, think about downhill, car is charging thanks to gravity during driving... Maybe for safety feature they forbid this? Another possibility Would be to convert the battery as a parallel connection for the Ami's internal battery, but then the inverter must to be bypassed..

[@parkview113]

no handbrake has to be on .... I have 2 Ecoflow Delta Max giving 32 extra miles

[@chrisspain]

The inverter, 230V-48V is in the way. It only works with the handbrake on and in N. If you want to charge while driving, you need 48V DC directly to the main Battery. Most power stations have 12 or 24V, so no go. A 48V Solar panel works, snap it on the roof and stick it with a charge controller directly on the battery. I tried 450Wp, it is the same size then the roof but blocks the glass roof. Keeps heat out but limits visibility. However, we went in the blazing sun for one h at 25kph, so 25km and used according to the battery 12km. Started at 74km range, arrived with 62 km range. 3h at the destination and it was up to 74 again. A smaller panel, 300Wp or so, would leave the Window clear but has less power of course. The normal charging (from the door) works as well.

[@chrisspain]

@@richardbas2948 Normal EVs running on 400V Batteries DC. No, while driving you can´t charge. But the AMI runs on 48V, that you can charge while driving, however, not via the 230V charger.

[@edwardmadry4299]

can you ride during charging?

[@MeandMonAmi]

Nope

[@gerrypowell2748]

Interesting,can you plug it in to a solar panel somehow mounted on the car,then charge the batteries on the Ami,possibly amounting to a continuous power to said car🤔🤔🤔

[@chrisspain]

Yes. 48V (52V)panels with a small mppt controller direct to the main drive battery. charges continuously depending on size (450Wp fits on the roof) between 30-50km per sunny day.

[@MeandMonAmi]

I don’t think the size of panels would make a worthwhile difference to anything other than charging peripherals

[@julieg5610]

I did see a different video where someone fitted a 100 watt panel to the roof of an electric pick up truck he had bought online from China. It trickle charged the battery about 4% in a day! He was in the USA.

[@chrisspain]

@@julieg5610 Yes, but a 100Wp panel on a 12kWh Battery is hardly doing something. My AMI hat a 5,5kWh Battery (half the pick up) and charges with 450Wp (4,5 times the pickup) and that has a big effect. The 100Wp panel would give me about 8&% charge a day, my 450Wp panel up to 40%, as the current is way higher as well. I get on a realistic day an easy 30km, in the summer of course way more.

[@virtualspokespeople4066]

I'll get one when the Ami VI comes out with removable batteries, note the plural, that I can take indoors to charge. ;-) I think Citroen missed a trick, there are so many, like me, that would buy but cannot park near the property to charge. think of all those flat dwellers just waiting to buy.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Yeah I think that kind of thing is a few years away though. EV charging is a major issue for flat dwellers!

[@virtualspokespeople4066]

@@MeandMonAmi Yes, that's why I suggested Ami VI :-)

[@nicholasroberts6954]

Good as these luggable Li-Po batteries are (I got one recently) you still got to carry the extra weight wherever you go - the equivalent of a big baby human ! That must impinge on the basic range of the Ami, however little. What's needed is proper motor manufacturer user exchangeable batteries avaiable from nationwide retail outlets, like Camping Gaz cannisters. So the message to Citroen and other electric propulsion manufacturers is . . Wakey . . Wakey . . The potential customer is not wrong according to Focus group mythology. Lets have an industry standard for these user exchangeble batteries, like they do in the IT Industry. If these motor manufacturers had something more than the brains of rocking horses, they'd incorporate a solar cell in the roof and a split the main battery into two electrically rotatable sections, so that you could re-charge whilst parked-up and on the go ! Your current theme music, sounds a bit " The Prisoner" - ish, . .Mr Astley or Mr Goodwin involved ?

[@MeandMonAmi]

Don’t think Mr Astley was involved. I think industry standard batteries etc are some way off sadly

[@AndyBondo]

Good review. The 12 v outputs are used sometimes by CB (radio )operators who go out and transmit in the bush.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Thanks. I’d no idea CB was still going!

[@AndyBondo]

@@MeandMonAmi yeah apparently still is. I was going to buy one here.in France. We are in lot et garrone 47 , from Australia, but can't hardly speak French lol My mrs does all the talking hahahaha

[@berdeter]

Nearly good. Shame the engineers that designed this didn't just take as starting point that it should perfectly fit in a Citroen Ami. They could have it just a bit higher to have the same volume with some cm less in width.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Indeed and two years later we still wait..

[@jmiller991]

Is this powerful enough to run heater? That would be amazing for us poor folks in the UK lol

[@MeandMonAmi]

Oh for sure powerful enough to run a heater. A smaller one would do that too but obviously for less long

[@jmiller991]

@@MeandMonAmi Perfect! Thank you :-)

[@dsman2968]

they make these too? i thought they made made phones

[@MeandMonAmi]

Yup!

[@HWJJSCHUMACHER]

CAN YOU LOAD WHILE DRIVING ??? THAN PUT SOLAR ON THE ROOF ::: AND YOU CAN DRIVE ALL DAY LONG IN THE SUN

[@chatters7969]

I unfortunately no You cannot charge and drive. Plus the ami battery draws about 1800w, equivalent in panels would cover the roof of about 5 ami’s

[@parkview113]

@@chatters7969 all true ....

[@parkview113]

humble advice .... well worth the investment - I have 2 x powebanks and a 400w panel Supplied by Hampshire Generators with a solar panel motorised stand on order that tracks the sun throoghout the day I bought Ecoflow Delta Max 2100 kwh

[@chatters7969]

@@parkview113 I’d love one of the 2kw power banks but it’s a bit out of my price range. I have a 300w ALLPOWERS one which I bought of a friend broken for £50 and managed to fix. I’m going to use this to run a fan heater, power ancillaries etc to save battery power. Going to look at the feasibility of a 50w flexi panel inside the glass roof, double up as a sun shade

[@chatters7969]

@@parkview113 oh and my interior pack came today from N3D, looks very well made

[@santamulligan676]

Honda e10 is smaller

[@ymirfritz9989]

2000 euros for a 2 kWH battery for a 8000 euro quad? Big brain move.

[@MeandMonAmi]

Versions of this can be got for under €1500 now but they ain’t necessary for everyone that’s for sure

[@isaacrimor]

Che bidone....buono su un camper, ma no sulla ami.

[@jufbijtje]

i guess the price went up to almost 1900 euros on amazone de

[@MeandMonAmi]

That sounds a lot!