Cowmeat learns to drive the Volt

[sendler]

I wonder how much power you are really using from the wall. Chevy is known for optimistic readouts.

[cowmeat]

I'm not sure how to tell, but I didn't notice an increase in my electric bill this month

I guess it would be impossible to really put a number to it without some kind of instrumentation, or installing a separate meter. Since it's cooling off outside a little my AC is not running as much, so maybe that offset the Volt charge added?

BTW, after seeing the long the list of retired vehicles you have in your garage I deleted two of my older cars so my posts wouldn't take up so much room, lol!

[rmay635703]

I recommend setting it about a half hour before you plan on leaving.

You set the clock for when you want the charge to end, so if you leave at 7am then you set it for 6:30am for example

[vskid3]

https://www.amazon.com/P3-P4400-Elec...dp/B00009MDBU/
How to tell how much power it takes from the wall to charge (using the 120v charger).

[cowmeat]

Bought!

Even though it cost me more than the gas I'll use this year . . . . . I'll be finding out shortly how well the Volt's readout matches up with this gadget

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by sendler

I wonder how much power you are really using from the wall. Chevy is known for optimistic readouts.

12kw ish depending on the outside temperature (per my kilowatt meter), burping take 0.1-0.3 extra KWs.

Also understand my "cost" metric is using 12kw, not 10.5.

So I figured losses into the metric.

[Ecky]

Ditto. I use one as well.

[cowmeat]

I finally took the time to set up the charge scheduler last night. Set it for a departure time of 5:30am and plugged it in (early in the evening), and it was fully charged this morning. That's pretty handy, now I can just plug it in when I get home, set it and forget it!

[cowmeat]

So this morning I decided to do an experiment and drive in "L" like usual but in "sport" mode i.l.o. "normal" mode.

I was wondering what would use less of a charge:

A - my usual leisurely pace taking off from a light while keeping the green ball in the circle in "normal" mode and easing the car up to cruising speed

Or

B - a quick launch in "sport" mode to get me up to cruising speed quicker

Normally I use right around 4.0 kWh on my way to work, and this morning I used 4.5 kWh, so I guess that answers that question!

[Hank1510]

Keep in mind that your brake lights don't light up while coasting in L. I really wish the brake lights were operated based on deceleration too.

You can really freak out tailgaters though. L while at highway speeds can really slow you down.