Friends are ditching their gasser for an EV (Leaf? Volt?) Update: Bolt!

[JSH]

Originally Posted by ldjessee00

We only charge at home in a 110 socket in our garage for our Leaf... We do have to make sure no one uses the microwave while it is plugged in because they put the microwave and the garage on the same circuit. (facepalm)

Never assume buying the model home for a division is going to mean it is built better than all the others... even one from the late 60s.

I have considered putting in a NEMA 14/50 in the garage, but that would require some major electrical work in my house. It would not quite involve rewiring the whole house... but most of it.

I charged my Spark EV on 110V for the 3 years we leased it. I had previously run a separate circuit for just my air compressor so I just plugged the EVSE into that dedicated plug. It took about 10 hours to top off the battery.

(This was on days I didn't charge for free at work)

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I told him the batt was probably toast, and the question was whether he left some 12v accessory on, or if the battery is defective. He's got a call in to the Nissan dealer to get it looked at at.

I'm not aware of any vehicle that logs which circuits are active, especially when "off". How old was the battery? Even ones maintained well have a limited lifespan, and I expect the majority of the damage to occur on dealer lots as people open doors and leave them open without driving the vehicle long enough to top up the battery.

I certainly wouldn't take a car to a dealership over a 12v battery issue. Plenty of battery shops will load test it for free (I bought a load tester on sale for like $15), and will offer better pricing for a replacement.

Good work going straight to the problem!

[MetroMPG]

That's the thing: the car's only 2 years old.


He thinks it'll be a warranty item, otherwise I would have sent him to the local parts store and we could have changed it in the driveway.



Will keep you posted.

[redpoint5]

I'd give it 50/50 odds of being replaced under warranty. On the one hand, it shouldn't fail that quickly, on the other, they will claim it's a wear item like tires.

[Piotrsko]

Batteries are pretty much prorated on replacement so you pay for 2+ years of "use" it will be warranted, but won't be free

[MetroMPG]

Know what the dealer told him?

"If you see it go below 12v (resting voltage), let us know."

He's seeing resting voltage around 12.4v two hrs after the last charge or drive. 12.2v 12 hrs later.

First bit of winter weather we get, it'll be dead.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Know what the dealer told him?

"If you see it go below 12v (resting voltage), let us know."

He's seeing resting voltage around 12.4v two hrs after the last charge or drive. 12.2v 12 hrs later.

First bit of winter weather we get, it'll be dead.

Did they load test it? Any crappy battery can briefly hold a decent voltage when unloaded.

Advise your friends to pick up a cheap 12v jump pack and keep it in the car. Doesn't need to be high output since powering on a Bolt is nowhere near as extreme as starting an ICE.

Really that's my recommendation for anyone driving a vehicle that doesn't have a dedicated starter motor. They are as little as $20 on sale. Probably not a bad idea to get a more expensive one for those who do have a starter motor too.

[MetroMPG]

Nissan Leaf.

They actually do have one of those Lithium boost packs.

[freebeard]

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Torque News 1 hour ago
I am test-driving the 2020 Leaf and would like to write fresh things about this good vehicle and make a nice report. Can you please give me a few ideas? What is next for the Leaf? Who makes batteries for Nissan Leaf? What's the future for Nissan Leaf? Tesla dominates the news, but what's the "story" with Nissan Leaf? Thank you.