Cowmeat learns to drive the Volt

[Hank1510]

If that's a Clipper Creek board and the mod is that simple, it might explain why the price is the same between a level 1 and level 2 charger on their site.

[WyrTwister]

I installed a GE WattStation EVSE and feed it with 40 amps of 240 VAC & # 6 copper . More than the Leaf could use , but that EVSE was about the same price as others I found , of lesser amperage .

It should be sufficient for up to , about , a 7.5 kw charger . The Leaf we had used a 3.3 kw charger & the newer Leafs have a 6.6 kw charger .

I think some of the longer range cars coming out may have 7.5 chargers .

Far as I know , the Level 2 connector will work on just about all EV's & plug in hybrids .

But , a 16 amp 240 VAC EVSE may be as much as a Volt can utilize ?

God bless
Wyr

[Nevyn]

Originally Posted by RedDevil

Is the battery shaping up from frequent use, or is the range indicating system anticipating on your driving style?

Originally Posted by cowmeat

I'm not sure, hopefully it's shaping up, but more likely it's programmed to adjust the estimated range by the recent input.

Yep, it's more of a "guess-o-meter" than actual range meter. It's definitely adaptive to driving style.

Was going to be getting a Volt this fall, but opted for kitchen remodel instead (much higher WAF - Wife Acceptance Factor). Will be likely getting a '12/'13/'14 Volt in the Spring with tax return/company bonus.

Subscribed and relevant!


Volt owners - Do the '12 underbody panels fit on a '13/'14?

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Nevyn

Volt owners - Do the '12 underbody panels fit on a '13/'14?

When GM does something they go all out, the 13+ is missing all manner of support structures and brackets.

Cheaper/easier to build a one

[ocnorb]

Originally Posted by cowmeat

That's pretty amazing if it's really that easy to upgrade to the 240v

Are you still using this mod? How is it holding up?

It was designed for European market that has 220V outlets standard, so I'm confident it will live.

It gets used every day I work at work. Zero issues. The other day I had to park in a different spot and the EVSE got soaked by a freak rain storm, but it was fine. Did the mod about 1 year ago. Can't remember exactly, but it was last fall.

[eco_generator]

I drove a Volt a couple of weeks ago, a good friend bought one in central Ohio. They are FUN to drive!! I would have seriously considered getting one, except that it is extremely hard for me not to drive it like a race car. The torque that pulls you out of the apex of a turn is addictive. Reminds me of my old track car with a small turbo 2.2L boxer engine. I would probably wear the poor battery out rather quickly every time I touched it, whilst my wife would probably drive it like a saint... except now that I think about it she didn't drive my old track car like a saint (she didn't realize I could hear the exhaust quite a distance in the neighborhood LOL).

He bought the '13 with about 50k miles. 12 grand. The biggest gripe about that year is you have to go into the menu every single time to tell it to charge at the higher amperage. It defaults to the low amp setting every time you unplug.

The best thing about EV is right now they offer free charging stations at many different places. That might go away if EV cars get a pretty good percentage in cars driven.

[WyrTwister]

I am guessing that you do not have to do that if charging 240 VAC Level 2 .

God bless
Wyr

[Hank1510]

Originally Posted by WyrTwister

I am guessing that you do not have to do that if charging 240 VAC Level 2 .

God bless
Wyr

You're right, only level 1 requires you to enter the amperage every time. It must be some litigation thing. If someone was using 12 amp and moved locations where only 8 amp was available, then they could have electrical problems.

240 volt outlets have different styles of plugs depending on amp ratings, or they're hard wired in.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Hank1510

You're right, only level 1 requires you to enter the amperage every time. It must be some litigation thing.

240 volt outlets have different styles of plugs depending on amp ratings, or they're hard wired in.

A few Someones plugged into a 70 year old garage outlet and burned their house down.

GM was sued because obviously home maintenance is their fault and the wonderful nag screen developed

[WyrTwister]

After Mom & Dad passed away , I inherited there house . It was built i the 1950's with 2 wire Romex to all the existing receptacles .

When we bought the Leaf , I tried charging it from one of the original 2 wire 120 VAC receptacles . With no ground , the EVSE would not work .

Ran an extension cord to a new 3 wire grounded receptacle ( which I had added in the kitchen ) , to get the 120 VAC EVSE to work . Only time I charged it on 120 VAC .

I installed a GE WattStation & 40 amp 240 VAC system . It worked well .

God bless
Wyr