Volt as Emergency Power Generator

[davevolt]

FYI, you can force the engine to start and put some charge in your battery.
I tried an exparament, and ran my battery down to 0 miles. I then switched to mountain mode, and the engine started. It will only run for 15 minutes, use .38 gallon of fuel, and that puts 15 miles of range into the battery.
So never worry, as long as you have gas in the tank, you can generate all the power you need. I have used an inverter on mine to run 120 volt appliances. As long as the car is switched on the 12 volt battery is kept charged by the HV battery, and once the HV battery is drained, the generator will cycle on and off to keep the HV battery at min level of charge. If mountain mode is selected, the syatem will keep 40% reserve in the HV battery, which is 15 miles, or 25KM. I ran a 1000 watt inverter connected directly to the 12v battery, and ran a microwave oven no problem.

[wizkid057]

I know all about the car keeping the HV battery charged using the ICE.

My question goes a little deeper, however, as I would like to know if the car will recognize an external drain on the high voltage battery and react accordingly...

-wk

[montgom626]

Message understood. But the need still exists. Offer an emergency power option for the Volt and people will buy it.

Some uninformed user will run their volt on gas in a closed garage while using it as an emergency generator and terrible things will happen. Also, while in 100 degree weather in a garage, while running on gas, something will overheat and the fire, warranty claims bad press will kill the Volt.

[montgom626]

We have gotten a few calls recently regarding using the vehcile as a back-up generator. I just wanted to clear a few things up and recommend that you do not use the Volt as a one.There are no provisions to connect the vehicle to the home with electrical output and there are no provisions on the vehicle to convert from 360+ DC voltage back to either 240 or 120 volt AC. The vehicle was not intended to generate electricity for home use.

Exactly! The Volt is a car, not a backup Genset

[petefoss]

Not that the Voltec package wouldn't make a very good genset as a standalone unit. Properly implimented of course.

[wizkid057]

"I don't care what anything was designed to do, I care about what it can do!" -Gene Kranz, Apollo 13

[fashionever]

Very cool. You actually have the right "to start"? (Otherwise, it will be drained 12V battery). Start 360V battery 12V "charge". Some discussion on facebook. My answer.

[focher]

Thanks for this thread. I actually ordered the Cobra CPI 2575 2500 Watt 12 Volt DC to 120 Volt AC Power Inverter plus the 4 AWG wire set and a 200A ANL fuse. Couple of questions:

1) Is the fuse really necessary or primarily an added safety precaution? Should I place it in-line with positive or the negative terminal?
2) Am I fine to put the inverter on a portable workbench next to the car? The car is garaged - but will only run with garage door open for ventilation. From what I've read, I don't want very long wiring (3-4 ft max) from the battery terminals to the inverter.

For the most part, I would never stress this anywhere near the 2500W but just wanted something a bit bigger "just in case".

[emartin00]

I did a successful mod to my Volt that adds 120v AC output at 1.2kw.
Here's some of what it looks like in practice. I'm too lazy to post all the pictures and words on two sites (there are a lot) so if you want all the dirty details, go here and look: http://www.coultersmithing.com/forum...php?f=48&t=553

Here's the only visible mods when the thing is put back together - a slot in the cover plate to let the power strip wire out, and a new switch mounted in the access cubby.

I attempted to install my inverter the same way yesterday, but ran into a couple problems. I did however find out what those mysterious spare studs were for...
2012-11-04_13-09-02_766.jpg
2012-11-04_13-08-52_775.jpg
I have the Bose radio, and there seems to be some sort of control system there. Unfortunately I won't be able to hide my inverter under the trunk as you did. I guess I'll pick up a 4AWG disconnect so I can just plug it in when I need it.

On a side note, does anyone know what the blower is for?

[jafrye06]

Why not back feed the house (trip the main and all breakers) with 220 volts? Then power items one at a time.