You seem like you know a lot about what's going on with these cars. Do you think there would be any way to mod the car so the Rex will actually fully charge the battery? Or somewhere you could tap in an external generator to charge more while driving? Just for the rare occasion I need to take a long highway trip to somewhere with no charging infrastructure.
Looks can be very deceiving 😂 you can initiate the rex to run in what is called maintenance mode but it only runs for about 10 minutes I believe. Easiest thing to do would be to pick up a jerry can of fuel to top up if in an area without chargers or fuel stations. You can run them pretty much all the time on the rex if needed.
Hello, Do you know how to check the good connexion of the 2 plugs visible at 2:21? Can they be inverted or the connexions plugs do not allow this? Due to the poor visibility when mounting the EME without removing the motor from the i3, I have a doubt of inversion of these cables. But on this video, it looks like whe cannot invert them (not the same connexion). Thanks a lot
Only what's already online I'm afraid, if you join this Facebook group they have lots of technical guides that might help. facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/?ref=share
What are you doing with the rex engine and generator? I was looking for one of those... Nice idea on converting a mini, i started a conversion years ago using an outlander motor but I never got the project moving.
@@BlueCollarEV Is the crank directly coupled to the rectifier/alternator/inverter? I'm quite curious whether you can easily replace the REX engine with a C650 engine.
Great question, I think I did know this a while back. From memory the motor is about 70kg and the inverter another 5kg. I think, sorry I can't be more accurate.
The issue with that would be fixing the motor in the car, I'm not sure how the non rex motor cradle attaches or if the motor housing differs. How do the costs weigh up? Could you not sell the rex and replace with a BEV?
It's certainly not a 5 minute job! I think if you are to compare the amount of hours the rex will run in it's lifetime with an Ice car then you'd be surprised at how little it actually runs. If BMW say there's no need to change it that's good enough for me. If they could charge you for it they would 😅
@@MiniLifeCrisis just found out that the rex 650cc (cubic capacity) is fitted with a 3000cc air filter and with the minimum use its defenatly overrated
@@Personal-Log I often use the REX function on the fly, which means more maintenance because the REX's purpose is to be used as an emergency backup. Supposedly the air filter is located somewhere in the rear bumper, and it's a hassle to get to. If I have the need or chance to replace the air filter, I'll modify it with a custom airbox and K&N filter where it can be easily accessible. Might as well add dual or quad exhaust to the tractor while I'm at it. LOL.
A very ambition project 😊 Lovely work, keep it up 👍 Well I was interested in seeing the shaft out from the REX to the generator since it is the one that brakes on the REX with expense consequences to follow. As I have understood the REX it is a small motorbike motor with a small generator on so the to parts isn't connected mechanical. 😊
Certainly shows how much smaller and less complicated the electric drive is, considering the power of that electric motor compared to the complication and size of the much lower power 650cc Rex engine next to it!!
That's right, there is no mechanical connection between the motor and rex, both operate independently. I don't expect to be stripping down the rex anymore as I'd like to sell it in one piece.
You seem like you know a lot about what's going on with these cars. Do you think there would be any way to mod the car so the Rex will actually fully charge the battery? Or somewhere you could tap in an external generator to charge more while driving? Just for the rare occasion I need to take a long highway trip to somewhere with no charging infrastructure.
Looks can be very deceiving 😂 you can initiate the rex to run in what is called maintenance mode but it only runs for about 10 minutes I believe. Easiest thing to do would be to pick up a jerry can of fuel to top up if in an area without chargers or fuel stations. You can run them pretty much all the time on the rex if needed.
Would it be fair to say mate the eme can’t be removed whilst engine in situ? Did u carry on with the build?
Hello, Do you know how to check the good connexion of the 2 plugs visible at 2:21? Can they be inverted or the connexions plugs do not allow this? Due to the poor visibility when mounting the EME without removing the motor from the i3, I have a doubt of inversion of these cables. But on this video, it looks like whe cannot invert them (not the same connexion). Thanks a lot
Love the vids. DO you have ANY footage of how to get the engine/trans out of the i3?
Only what's already online I'm afraid, if you join this Facebook group they have lots of technical guides that might help.
facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/?ref=share
What are you doing with the rex engine and generator? I was looking for one of those... Nice idea on converting a mini, i started a conversion years ago using an outlander motor but I never got the project moving.
Hi, I managed to sell the rex. I'm pretty sure there is a guy on RUclips that is using an outlander motor, great idea 😃 never say never 😉
I know the engine came from a C650 scooter. Can you show a comparison? I wonder if the REX has a CVT transmission.
The REX i3 only uses the petrol engine as a generator for the battery.
@@BlueCollarEV Is the crank directly coupled to the rectifier/alternator/inverter? I'm quite curious whether you can easily replace the REX engine with a C650 engine.
The cracked mount, is that from a specified year a issue of this car?
Yes, only the very early models, 2014 + 2015, I think they changed the design towards the end of 2015
@@MiniLifeCrisis Thanks 🙏
Do you know what is the exact weight of i3 electric motor with inverter/dc/dcconverter?
Great question, I think I did know this a while back. From memory the motor is about 70kg and the inverter another 5kg. I think, sorry I can't be more accurate.
Are those certified safety gloves?
Absolutely 😉
Do you think it's possible to remove the REX engine and generator to make my i3 a pure BEV?
The issue with that would be fixing the motor in the car, I'm not sure how the non rex motor cradle attaches or if the motor housing differs. How do the costs weigh up? Could you not sell the rex and replace with a BEV?
@@MiniLifeCrisis can I have your WhatsApp number?
@@MiniLifeCrisis I agree, there would be too much electrical work/ECU programming involved. Not worth it.
I bet you can use the engine in something like an Austin 7, Fiat Topolino or Fiat 500, if you can find a good transmission for it.
Sounds like a great idea!
The rex had an air filter ? Wanted to see if you can replace it though bmw said you don't have too for the life of the car
It's certainly not a 5 minute job! I think if you are to compare the amount of hours the rex will run in it's lifetime with an Ice car then you'd be surprised at how little it actually runs. If BMW say there's no need to change it that's good enough for me. If they could charge you for it they would 😅
@@MiniLifeCrisis just found out that the rex 650cc (cubic capacity) is fitted with a 3000cc air filter and with the minimum use its defenatly overrated
@@Personal-Log I often use the REX function on the fly, which means more maintenance because the REX's purpose is to be used as an emergency backup. Supposedly the air filter is located somewhere in the rear bumper, and it's a hassle to get to. If I have the need or chance to replace the air filter, I'll modify it with a custom airbox and K&N filter where it can be easily accessible. Might as well add dual or quad exhaust to the tractor while I'm at it. LOL.
What did both havles look like when separated. Just Fly wheel & bell housing with no clutch?
A very ambition project 😊
Lovely work, keep it up 👍
Well I was interested in seeing the shaft out from the REX to the generator since it is the one that brakes on the REX with expense consequences to follow.
As I have understood the REX it is a small motorbike motor with a small generator on so the to parts isn't connected mechanical. 😊
Certainly shows how much smaller and less complicated the electric drive is, considering the power of that electric motor compared to the complication and size of the much lower power 650cc Rex engine next to it!!
It certainly does! Although batteries, inverter and charger can add to the weight the basic motor is only about 50kg I believe.
That's right, there is no mechanical connection between the motor and rex, both operate independently. I don't expect to be stripping down the rex anymore as I'd like to sell it in one piece.
There seems to be some interest in this so I will do a short follow up video looking at the rex.
That dino juice engine besides that electric motor almost looks obsolete…..
Yeah, it's a version of a motorbike engine I believe
Hope this doesn't become a common swap, if we're forced to buy replacement motors etc from BMW we'd go broke.
There are plenty of salvage cars available as people seem to keep crashing them 😬