Comments on: Lutz Provides More Volt Details: Photovoltaic Roof to be Unveiled in January, and Volt Development Ahead of Schedule http://gm-volt.com/2008/10/09/lutz-provides-more-volt-details-photovoltaic-roof-to-be-unveiled-in-january-and-development-ahead-of-schedule/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:07:32 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: wwskinn3 http://gm-volt.com/2008/10/09/lutz-provides-more-volt-details-photovoltaic-roof-to-be-unveiled-in-january-and-development-ahead-of-schedule/#comment-73715 wwskinn3 Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:38:12 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1324#comment-73715 Does this photovoltic roof mean there is no chance for a convertible Volt? Does this photovoltic roof mean there is no chance for a convertible Volt?

]]> By: Dan Petit http://gm-volt.com/2008/10/09/lutz-provides-more-volt-details-photovoltaic-roof-to-be-unveiled-in-january-and-development-ahead-of-schedule/#comment-73529 Dan Petit Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:32:40 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1324#comment-73529 One of the great advantages that GM has when designing from "a clean sheet of paper", is that the various types of energy can be redirected to do very helpful things instead of being thrown away. The ICE throws away 80 to 90 percent of the heat produced from combustion out the exhaust, cooling system, and block. However, perhaps with the Volt, after the exhaust (from the Generator-Range Extender) leaves a Catalyst, it can be sent into a heat exchanger to quickly heat the vehicle and batteries. The idea is to protect the batteries from low temperature discharge-damage, such as when parking outside in very frigid temps when parking anywhere no outlets would be available. I'm an independent trainer of Advanced (ICE) techs. One thing I can tell you is this: In designing the hundreds of different automotive software systems to faultlessness, one thing you can bet on, is that GM's decades of highly practicable designs by armies of engineers of the highest talent are doing incredible things. I know this because GM is the very best at helping the independent technician with the most complete array of diagnostic datastreams (Parameter ID's) with which technicians can far more easily diagnose systems needs. I'll bet that the Volt's PIDs will be the route by which we will all learn about electric propulsion, and the technological changeover coming very, very soon.. The Toyota Prius also has exceptional PIDs in its "Hybrid Vehicle Battery" PID subgroup, which tell us everything we need to know about each battery block.(1-14). I hope ALL plug-in manufacturers openly release all PID's and not "sequester" (not show) (as I call it) any datastream items for Plug-ins. Hopefully, GM's industry-standard in allowing far morel PIDs to be viewed and studied will also be the case for all other makes. I do not believe that doing so would be opening any "Pandora's box", especially since that each high voltage component would be more readily seen as still at a high voltage state, and thus, a highly appropriate and necessary set of warnings. The reason why I need to know this is that if you lend-out your plug-in, and someone abuses it to a very nasty extent, then there ought to be a date-time stamp for the freeze-frame (a set of fixed data items that tell us how badly something happened) in order to help tag the responsibility to where it belongs. That way, GM should not :have to "hear It", and, new designs can be given a far better chance to retain their reputations. Processors can and do very easily discern these things. Warning the abuser by flashing a "Systems Abuse Logged" MIL (and a reeeeeely loud buzzer) might deter extended abusiveness, and protect the owners vehicle from the "Lead-Foot" mindset prevalent today. Dan Petit Austin, TX One of the great advantages that GM has when designing from “a clean sheet of paper”, is that the various types of energy can be redirected to do very helpful things instead of being thrown away.
The ICE throws away 80 to 90 percent of the heat produced from combustion out the exhaust, cooling system, and block.
However, perhaps with the Volt, after the exhaust (from the Generator-Range Extender) leaves a Catalyst, it can be sent into a heat exchanger to quickly heat the vehicle and batteries. The idea is to protect the batteries from low temperature discharge-damage, such as when parking outside in very frigid temps when parking anywhere no outlets would be available.
I’m an independent trainer of Advanced (ICE) techs. One thing I can tell you is this:
In designing the hundreds of different automotive software systems to faultlessness, one thing you can bet on, is that GM’s decades of highly practicable designs by armies of engineers of the highest talent are doing incredible things.
I know this because GM is the very best at helping the independent technician with the most complete array of diagnostic datastreams (Parameter ID’s) with which technicians can far more easily diagnose systems needs.
I’ll bet that the Volt’s PIDs will be the route by which we will all learn about electric propulsion, and the technological changeover coming very, very soon..
The Toyota Prius also has exceptional PIDs in its “Hybrid Vehicle
Battery” PID subgroup, which tell us everything we need to know about each battery block.(1-14).
I hope ALL plug-in manufacturers openly release all PID’s
and not “sequester” (not show) (as I call it) any datastream items for Plug-ins.
Hopefully, GM’s industry-standard in allowing far morel PIDs to be viewed and studied will also be the case for all other makes.
I do not believe that doing so would be opening any “Pandora’s box”, especially since that each high voltage component would be more readily seen as still at a high voltage state, and thus, a highly appropriate and necessary set of warnings.
The reason why I need to know this is that if you lend-out your plug-in, and someone abuses it to a very nasty extent, then there ought to be a date-time stamp for the freeze-frame (a set of fixed data items that tell us how badly something happened) in order to help tag the responsibility to where it belongs. That way, GM should not :have to “hear It”, and, new designs can be given a far better chance to retain their reputations. Processors can and do very easily discern these things.
Warning the abuser by flashing a “Systems Abuse Logged” MIL (and a reeeeeely loud buzzer) might deter extended abusiveness, and protect the owners vehicle from the “Lead-Foot” mindset prevalent today.
Dan Petit Austin, TX

]]> By: Estero http://gm-volt.com/2008/10/09/lutz-provides-more-volt-details-photovoltaic-roof-to-be-unveiled-in-january-and-development-ahead-of-schedule/#comment-73510 Estero Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:54:47 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1324#comment-73510 I don't see the need for the 'sliding door' to prevent thieves from stealing power. And, that 'sliding door' is prone to malfunctions and many other problem situations. A far simpler idea would be to dispense electricity after the plug is inserted AND a credit card is swipped, in that order. It stops dispensing electricity when the battery is charged OR it is unplugged, whichever comes first. It will not dispense electricity again until the process is started all over again. Or, am I missing something here? I don’t see the need for the ’sliding door’ to prevent thieves from stealing power. And, that ’sliding door’ is prone to malfunctions and many other problem situations.

A far simpler idea would be to dispense electricity after the plug is inserted AND a credit card is swipped, in that order. It stops dispensing electricity when the battery is charged OR it is unplugged, whichever comes first. It will not dispense electricity again until the process is started all over again.

Or, am I missing something here?

]]> By: Kudzu http://gm-volt.com/2008/10/09/lutz-provides-more-volt-details-photovoltaic-roof-to-be-unveiled-in-january-and-development-ahead-of-schedule/#comment-73508 Kudzu Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:27:03 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1324#comment-73508 I********Will********be***********one**********of**********the**********first********buyers I********Will********be***********one**********of**********the**********first********buyers

]]> By: Joe Gakenheimer http://gm-volt.com/2008/10/09/lutz-provides-more-volt-details-photovoltaic-roof-to-be-unveiled-in-january-and-development-ahead-of-schedule/#comment-73507 Joe Gakenheimer Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:19:51 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1324#comment-73507 That is cutting edge. The Volt is becoming even more interesting by the moment. That is cutting edge. The Volt is becoming even more interesting by the moment.

]]> By: Lutz: Photovoltaic Roof to be Unveiled in January and Development Ahead of Schedule - GM Inside News Forum http://gm-volt.com/2008/10/09/lutz-provides-more-volt-details-photovoltaic-roof-to-be-unveiled-in-january-and-development-ahead-of-schedule/#comment-73484 Lutz: Photovoltaic Roof to be Unveiled in January and Development Ahead of Schedule - GM Inside News Forum Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:55:33 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1324#comment-73484 [...] a sliding door that locks the cord in place, opening only when a credit card was swiped." FULL ARTICLE __________________ I don't have a ride, but I do have a car. CNBC: "By all accounts, Rick [...] [...] a sliding door that locks the cord in place, opening only when a credit card was swiped." FULL ARTICLE __________________ I don’t have a ride, but I do have a car. CNBC: "By all accounts, Rick [...]

]]> By: Florida http://gm-volt.com/2008/10/09/lutz-provides-more-volt-details-photovoltaic-roof-to-be-unveiled-in-january-and-development-ahead-of-schedule/#comment-73455 Florida Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:51:11 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1324#comment-73455 I've never been much for alternative fuel vehicles but this one has my interest. And the styling is not bad either. I will definitely being looking forward to the release. Hopefully on time. I’ve never been much for alternative fuel vehicles but this one has my interest. And the styling is not bad either.
I will definitely being looking forward to the release. Hopefully on time.

]]> By: NZDavid http://gm-volt.com/2008/10/09/lutz-provides-more-volt-details-photovoltaic-roof-to-be-unveiled-in-january-and-development-ahead-of-schedule/#comment-73418 NZDavid Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:47:20 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1324#comment-73418 Statik I think the housing bust has a long way to go, going by the following. http://bp3.blogger.com/_pMscxxELHEg/RxzD0s_7EYI/AAAAAAAABB4/ljDSXZhMG3o/s1600-h/IMFresets.jpg I just pray the Volt & Eflex rises from the ashes. PS: I dropped about 20K this year so far. Hope I can still afford a Volt. Leasing the battery is starting to look good from where I sit. Statik

I think the housing bust has a long way to go, going by the following.

http://bp3.blogger.com/_pMscxxELHEg/RxzD0s_7EYI/AAAAAAAABB4/ljDSXZhMG3o/s1600-h/IMFresets.jpg

I just pray the Volt & Eflex rises from the ashes.

PS: I dropped about 20K this year so far. Hope I can still afford a Volt. Leasing the battery is starting to look good from where I sit.

]]> By: Jeffhre http://gm-volt.com/2008/10/09/lutz-provides-more-volt-details-photovoltaic-roof-to-be-unveiled-in-january-and-development-ahead-of-schedule/#comment-73370 Jeffhre Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:00:22 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1324#comment-73370 Putting a PV system at your home, optimized for solar conditions in your area, will run your meter backwards at much higher efficiencies. It will do this when you are at work, when you are plugged in, when the car is garaged etc.Even when you are parked in shade or under covered parking or its cloudy and the suns angle is too low to affect the ad hoc angle PV array on your car. Money put into a PV array at home will always be more effectively spent. Jefro #15 PV on a house takes it about 3 years until you are net energy positive. With incentives here in California it has typically taken about 15 to 18 years to recoup the initial investment, disregarding the time value of funds. Putting a PV system at your home, optimized for solar conditions in your area, will run your meter backwards at much higher efficiencies. It will do this when you are at work, when you are plugged in, when the car is garaged etc.Even when you are parked in shade or under covered parking or its cloudy and the suns angle is too low to affect the ad hoc angle PV array on your car. Money put into a PV array at home will always be more effectively spent.

Jefro #15

PV on a house takes it about 3 years until you are net energy positive. With incentives here in California it has typically taken about 15 to 18 years to recoup the initial investment, disregarding the time value of funds.

]]> By: Statik http://gm-volt.com/2008/10/09/lutz-provides-more-volt-details-photovoltaic-roof-to-be-unveiled-in-january-and-development-ahead-of-schedule/#comment-73368 Statik Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:36:25 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1324#comment-73368 #144 Arch You may well be right. On the other hand I have lived well off of the stock my dad bought back in the 50s. I do not buy stock to sell. I buy it to leave for my kids just the way my dad did. He got lucky a few times. Maybe I will too. JMHO Take Care Arch ---------- #146 Grizzly As Arch said, not everyone is a day trader. If you believe in the US economy and invest like Warren Buffet and not Like Kirk Kerkorian this might not be a bad investment, you certainly won’t get it any lower. ------------------------------------------------- All respect to your father Arch. He didn't live through this. He didn't know what subprime was and a credit default swap might as well have been some kind of tab you ran at the local pub. Grizzly, it can ALWAYS get lower...and I don't believe in the American economy, I don't believe in any economy, but the one I make for myself. I'm sorry, but I'm the go to guy on this. I am 'the man' When George K was there standing up to, owning/buying the shares and saying "It has crossed its 10 day, 20 day and just crossed above its 50 day moving average" on April 30th, 2008, I was there. ---"Does this even remotely make sense…the stock popped?…but who amongst us would willingly buy these shares? (or at least to admitting to it on the record, lol)....(FYI, I’m 70 percent cash/gov’t sercurities(not American)–scary times)" http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/30/get-ready-for-the-a123-systems-ipo/#comments When you yourself on July 1st said, "This is only a glimmer of what’s to come, it just won’t be overnight! Hang in there!....There is something to be said for digging in with a superior business model. I just bought some GM stock, and I assure you even for the modest cost I don’t expect to lose!" I was there. --"I bid you good luck. Right or wrong, it is never a good idea to invest in a stock that you care about. It’s a big market out there, lots of good and bad companies. It’s hard to make level headed decisions about a company you are so closely involved with. (No slight at all intended here to you man…just be careful, it’s ugly out there)....You really should have dug into the ‘why’ they surprised before you bought today, if you did. GM can’t continue to give $8,000 off a new truck and finance it at 0% to boost sales…it just can’t" http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/01/gm-on-june-sales-asia-doesnt-have-a-monopoly-on-fuel-efficient-vehicles/#comment-49884 Further to that on the June 23rd, 2008 thread (Statik #83): http://gm-volt.com/2008/06/23/gm-requests-7000-tax-credit-to-chevy-volt-buyers-mccain-offers-gm-5000/ "As many of you know, I’m not all that positive on the economy, or GM’s representational portion of that pie. To that end I have adjusted my portfolio to a mostly cash with a small portion of high yield guaranteed papers (about 95%), with 5% still in equities. I’ve stated this position before…also not news." "However, as I examined my position the last month or so, I have come to realize that the asset I have worked most at, the one I have feverishly pay off, my home, is under considerable risk" "I live within 50 miles of the GM Oshawa Truck plant, so maybe I can see the wave coming quicker than most. So this week I put my house on the market. Now let me be clear, I love my house, I could very well stay where I am am not be affected by the downturn (except for the depreciateing value on my property). I have flipped in and out of houses all along the way…but this one was to be ‘the last one,’ sadly the pressure to ‘cash’ out and put my equity into something with a nice guaranteed yield has become greater than staying in my house." "Do you have cash in the bank? Do you have equities? How secure are they? Do they have a good currency asset mix? Do you have equity in your home now? If so, how much? If the economy continues like this for another year how much will it be? Or two years? Are you OK with that?" "Hopefully in a few weeks I will be 100% liquid, and having my equity working for me as hard as it can, as safely as it can. That is my solution, that is my comfort zone. At first I was bummed to sell, I won’t lie, putting the sign on the lawn was tough, this was where I was going to spend the next 30 years. But now, I couldn’t be more excited to be 100% bulletproof. Maybe in 5 years, I’ll buy it back for half price." Cheers, and good luck. ============================================= You'll notice in all those threads the amount of heat I took, or the amount of naysayers...but I've been here...everyday...pounding the table. I know no one wants to hear I told you so right now. And that isn't my point to dredging this all up. I know for most people, my words sting so hard and they are in such a bad place they can hardly stomach them or understand them...I've been in that situation before when I was younger. The song is the same today as it was a month ago, 3 months ago, a year ago. This is NOT fixed. There is no 'winning scenario.' I'll tell you the answer right now...and you don't have to believe me, but consider my record. You'll know it's done when you see analyst downgrades on downgrades and expectations are so unbelievably low that companys have no choice but to outperform. That day is not today...it is not even close. /I wish you all....all the best #144 Arch

You may well be right. On the other hand I have lived well off of the stock my dad bought back in the 50s. I do not buy stock to sell. I buy it to leave for my kids just the way my dad did. He got lucky a few times. Maybe I will too. JMHO

Take Care
Arch

———-

#146 Grizzly

As Arch said, not everyone is a day trader. If you believe in the US economy and invest like Warren Buffet and not Like Kirk Kerkorian this might not be a bad investment, you certainly won’t get it any lower.

————————————————-
All respect to your father Arch. He didn’t live through this. He didn’t know what subprime was and a credit default swap might as well have been some kind of tab you ran at the local pub.

Grizzly, it can ALWAYS get lower…and I don’t believe in the American economy, I don’t believe in any economy, but the one I make for myself.

I’m sorry, but I’m the go to guy on this. I am ‘the man’

When George K was there standing up to, owning/buying the shares and saying “It has crossed its 10 day, 20 day and just crossed above its 50 day moving average” on April 30th, 2008, I was there.
—”Does this even remotely make sense…the stock popped?…but who amongst us would willingly buy these shares? (or at least to admitting to it on the record, lol)….(FYI, I’m 70 percent cash/gov’t sercurities(not American)–scary times)”
http://gm-volt.com/2008/04/30/get-ready-for-the-a123-systems-ipo/#comments

When you yourself on July 1st said, “This is only a glimmer of what’s to come, it just won’t be overnight! Hang in there!….There is something to be said for digging in with a superior business model. I just bought some GM stock, and I assure you even for the modest cost I don’t expect to lose!” I was there.
–”I bid you good luck. Right or wrong, it is never a good idea to invest in a stock that you care about. It’s a big market out there, lots of good and bad companies. It’s hard to make level headed decisions about a company you are so closely involved with. (No slight at all intended here to you man…just be careful, it’s ugly out there)….You really should have dug into the ‘why’ they surprised before you bought today, if you did. GM can’t continue to give $8,000 off a new truck and finance it at 0% to boost sales…it just can’t”
http://gm-volt.com/2008/07/01/gm-on-june-sales-asia-doesnt-have-a-monopoly-on-fuel-efficient-vehicles/#comment-49884

Further to that on the June 23rd, 2008 thread (Statik #83):
http://gm-volt.com/2008/06/23/gm-requests-7000-tax-credit-to-chevy-volt-buyers-mccain-offers-gm-5000/
“As many of you know, I’m not all that positive on the economy, or GM’s representational portion of that pie. To that end I have adjusted my portfolio to a mostly cash with a small portion of high yield guaranteed papers (about 95%), with 5% still in equities. I’ve stated this position before…also not news.”

“However, as I examined my position the last month or so, I have come to realize that the asset I have worked most at, the one I have feverishly pay off, my home, is under considerable risk”

“I live within 50 miles of the GM Oshawa Truck plant, so maybe I can see the wave coming quicker than most. So this week I put my house on the market. Now let me be clear, I love my house, I could very well stay where I am am not be affected by the downturn (except for the depreciateing value on my property). I have flipped in and out of houses all along the way…but this one was to be ‘the last one,’ sadly the pressure to ‘cash’ out and put my equity into something with a nice guaranteed yield has become greater than staying in my house.”

“Do you have cash in the bank? Do you have equities? How secure are they? Do they have a good currency asset mix? Do you have equity in your home now? If so, how much? If the economy continues like this for another year how much will it be? Or two years? Are you OK with that?”

“Hopefully in a few weeks I will be 100% liquid, and having my equity working for me as hard as it can, as safely as it can. That is my solution, that is my comfort zone.

At first I was bummed to sell, I won’t lie, putting the sign on the lawn was tough, this was where I was going to spend the next 30 years. But now, I couldn’t be more excited to be 100% bulletproof. Maybe in 5 years, I’ll buy it back for half price.”

Cheers, and good luck.
=============================================

You’ll notice in all those threads the amount of heat I took, or the amount of naysayers…but I’ve been here…everyday…pounding the table.

I know no one wants to hear I told you so right now. And that isn’t my point to dredging this all up. I know for most people, my words sting so hard and they are in such a bad place they can hardly stomach them or understand them…I’ve been in that situation before when I was younger.

The song is the same today as it was a month ago, 3 months ago, a year ago. This is NOT fixed. There is no ‘winning scenario.’

I’ll tell you the answer right now…and you don’t have to believe me, but consider my record. You’ll know it’s done when you see analyst downgrades on downgrades and expectations are so unbelievably low that companys have no choice but to outperform. That day is not today…it is not even close.

/I wish you all….all the best

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