Bought a 2017 Bolt EV

[redpoint5]

I've seen HVAC complaints in the forum. I don't recall if there's a common issue that can be addressed, or if it's simply a poorly implemented design.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I've seen HVAC complaints in the forum. I don't recall if there's a common issue that can be addressed, or if it's simply a poorly implemented design.

There is nothing technically wrong with the HVAC system – it is just a poor fit for luddites or people trying to maximize their range. If I was willing to set the HVAC to 72F and not worry about how much juice it consumes the stock system works great. I’m sure the average person loves it – they must as automatic HVAC is becoming more and more common on cars.

However, it is a poor fit for anyone trying to minimize HVAC power consumption because there is no way to independently control how many watts the electric resistance heater consumes.

[freebeard]

duckduckgo.com/?q=automobile+heat+pump&ia=web

DDG finds at least three vendors for automotive heat pumps. Perhaps I could use a buck converter and run a Leaf/Tesla/Bolt unit in my Beetle? Heated sets should come first.

Anyone trying to minimize HVAC power consumption -- should use insulative matting. On hot days black asphalt radiates against the bottom of your car.

https://carroar.com › sound-heat-insulation
Best Sound Deadening and Heat Insulation Materials for Cars (2022)
10 Best Sound and Heat Insulation Materials for Cars 1. Noico 2. Dynamat 3. Hushmat 4. Kilmat 5. Fatmat 6. B-Quiet Viscoelastic Insulation 7. Siless 8. SoundQubed Q-Mat 9. Uxcell 10. LizardSkin Liquid Insulation In Conclusion Which Sound and Heat Insulation Product Should You Use?

[redpoint5]

I wouldn't do anything to take away from the kart like feel of a beetle, and especially to attenuate the exhaust note.

First priorities are getting things mechanically sound though, no? Cooling in our relatively tame summers is a luxury.

... and that just reminded me of the girlfriend that had a Chevy Aveo with no AC. She'd wear a bikini on hot summer days. Absolutely no motivation to "fix" that situation. Sometimes less is more.

[freebeard]

Just getting it out of the rain is #1.

My one [surviving] mechanic will be back from the Coast where he's working on his rentals. Then we will talk about whether it's better to keep it stock or go 10% more displacement. The NW Bug Run is June the Sixth.

Back to your regularly scheduled thread....

[JSH]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Anyone trying to minimize HVAC power consumption -- should use insulative matting. On hot days black asphalt radiates against the bottom of your car.

A/C use has minimal electrical draw - at least if it follows the same trend as my Spark EV. Running the A/C dropped summer range by about 5%. Running the heat in the winter dropped range by 30%

[JSH]

I decided to start tracking mileage, efficiency, and cost monthly instead of every 500 miles. For the month of May:

Mileage - 1399.7
Efficiency - 4.5 miles / kWh (per the car's gage)
kWh - 311 kWh (calculated from 4.5 m/kwh)
kWh - 219 kWh (from my Wallbox charger)
That means I'm charging at work about 1/3 rd of the time
$29.51 - Cost of home charging
$/mile - 0.02

Gas prices? I hear they have gone up.

Also - my Wallbox charger has been showing a fault at the end of each charge. To clear it I have to flip the breaker to restart the charger. I called Wallbox about this (2nd time) and they are sending me a new charger.

[JSH]

Now that I'm hopefully past the heating season the efficiency is showing 5.1 miles / kWh. I topped off the battery last night and this morning the estimated range to empty was 300 miles even. Not bad.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by JSH

There is nothing technically wrong with the HVAC system – it is just a poor fit for luddites or people trying to maximize their range. If I was willing to set the HVAC to 72F and not worry about how much juice it consumes the stock system works great. I’m sure the average person loves it – they must as automatic HVAC is becoming more and more common on cars.

However, it is a poor fit for anyone trying to minimize HVAC power consumption because there is no way to independently control how many watts the electric resistance heater consumes.

Sounds like it’s a step backwards from the volt

Volt allowed
Comfort- 6kw
Eco - 3kw
Fan only + “appropriate “ defog , humidity and temp setting was actually fan only

[JSH]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

Sounds like it’s a step backwards from the volt

Volt allowed
Comfort- 6kw
Eco - 3kw
Fan only + “appropriate “ defog , humidity and temp setting was actually fan only

There is nothing Eco about using 3 kW for heat. I try to keep it at 1 kW or below. With my Spark EV I could do that because it had a simple knob - Clockwise = hotter / Counter clockwise = colder. The Bolt's automatic system will spike up to 1.5 kW then drop to 0.5 kw.

The Bolt does have a fan only mode that works in all vent positions.