Chevy Bolt EV - 238 Mile Range $30K after incentives

[Piotrsko]

Excellent job on the hole for the hitch. I am impressed.

[NeilBlanchard]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

Excellent job on the hole for the hitch. I am impressed.

Thanks - all the credit goes to my brother, for this.

For the gearheads among us - here is a detailed teardown of the Bolt EV motor and transaxle:

Chevrolet Bolt EV Traction Motor – Deep Dive: Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APhRPSdmdmk

[easythereturbo]

I could use a hitch too.

One year later.. here I'm still wishing I had that coasting setting.

[NeilBlanchard]

I am ordering a hitch later today! The TorkLift Ecohitch is the only one with a 2" receiver.

[NeilBlanchard]

I installed the same model hitch on our Bolt EV, on Saturday. I did it on my own (my brother was moving with his wife from her house, to his), so I didn't take any pictures. Here's the post of the installation of his:

https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthre...tml#post578132

I also bought a Curt T-One trailer light connection harness, and therein is a tale. The unit is designed for the Chevy Volt, and said that it fits a Chevy Bolt, as well. It does have to correct connectors, that T into the left and right light groups that are in the bumper of the Bolt EV.

Two problems became apparent, though. Here's my email that I sent to TorkLift:

I received the T-One connector a few days ago, and I finished installing it today. It is made for the Volt - and it is supposed to "fit" the Bolt EV; which is what I have. While it does "fit" - it has two fairly serious issues:

The location of the 12v battery in the Volt is in the back, under the floor of the hatch area (where a spare tire is often located). So the wire on the T-One that connects to the battery is roughly 3 feet long, or so. The 12v battery in the Bolt EV - is up in the front of the car, under the hood, on the driver's side - where many if not most, are located. I had to add 16 feet of 12 gauge wire to be able to connect to the positive terminal; and I needed to make 2 splices, so I could keep the 10A fuse in place.

The second issue is a bit more subtle. While the Volt is a hatchback, it's taillights are located on the body of the car. The Bolt EV is a hatchback as well - but it's main taillights / brake lights are located on the *hatch door* itself. The turn signals are located in the bumper. The issue is that by law, there have to be "alternative" tail / brake lights on the body - for when the hatch door is open. This is because, if the door is all the way open, the lights would not be visible.

So, basically, I have to open the hatch door, in order for the trailer tail / brake lights to function. The T connections on the unit do "fit" in that they plug into the left and the right side lights *on the bumper*. I don't know where to find the connectors for the lights in the hatch door - and the turn signals are in the bumper, anyway. They are probably too far away for the length of wires on the T-One unit you provided.

I hope this all is clear - if you have questions, I'd be happy to answer, if I can. I think you need to not sell this unit for the Chevy Bolt EV, and hopefully Curt can make one that does have 1) a long enough wire to reach the 12v battery, and 2) connectors AND INSTRUCTIONS to connect it properly to the Bolt EV *without* having to tow a trailer with the hatch door (slightly) open.

[redpoint5]

I've resorted to tapping into the light harness itself and using LED trailer lights, which won't overload the circuit. I can't see using a controller and wiring in power and a fuse when the necessary wires are already there. Would be nice to get T-plugs so I don't have to pierce the stock wiring, but that's a minor issue.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I've resorted to tapping into the light harness itself and using LED trailer lights, which won't overload the circuit. .

Any issue with bulb monitoring giving false warnings?

[redpoint5]

Nope, although I don't know if any of my vehicles are that smart (Prius).

[NeilBlanchard]

Originally Posted by sendler

Any issue with bulb monitoring giving false warnings?

The T-One does not cause a bulb warning. I was tempted to use the plugs, and tie them directly to the 4 pin connector, but at first at least, I am borrowing my brother's trailer which has conventional bulbs.

And I would still have to crack open the hatch door.

[NeilBlanchard]

The 2020 Bolt EV gets a 10% larger battery - 66kWh! And a higher range of 259 miles.

https://insideevs.com/news/366579/20...9-miles-range/