[WopOnTour]

Recently posted as an informational bulletin
WOT

 

[NYRob]

Didn't know it was AGM, nice to know... truly maintenance free!

 

[hvacman]

Didn't know it was AGM, nice to know... truly maintenance free!

Yes, it is maintenance free until it dies - which it will. It is a lead-acid battery and will fail and have to be replaced in 4 years, like most lead-acid batteries. I'd bet just about every Volt made before 2013 has had its original 12 volt battery replaced. For some - the lucky owners- the Volt's computers provided a warning. Many have failed with zero warning and required either an emergency jump (not always successful) or a tow back to the dealer for service. I for one believe that "replace 12 volt battery" should be a GM-recommended service at 42 months in the owners manual - if it hasn't failed by then, it will soon. it can save the owner a lot of grief.

 

[hvacman]

It is ironic that they rate the Bolt's 12 VDC battery with "CCA" (cold-cranking amps). Continuing with the traditional lead-acid battery in BEV's, rated to crank an engine and with less than half the life of the HV battery pack - only makes sense if the industry sees the need for a BEV to be able to jump-start a conventional ICE vehicle.

GM and LG Chem are understandably-proud of the less-than-one-in-a-million cell failure rate with the Chevy Volt's HV battery packs. Time to go for that reliability in the 12 VDC battery, too.

 

[Loboc]

It is ironic that they rate the Bolt's 12 VDC battery with "CCA" (cold-cranking amps). Continuing with the traditional lead-acid battery in BEV's, rated to crank an engine and with less than half the life of the HV battery pack - only makes sense if the industry sees the need for a BEV to be able to jump-start a conventional ICE vehicle.

If it's anything like Volt, the power unit (that charges the 12v battery) puts out enough amps to easily jump start most ICE vehicles.

 

[TheBlueFlash]

Yes, it is maintenance free until it dies - which it will. It is a lead-acid battery and will fail and have to be replaced in 4 years, like most lead-acid batteries. I'd bet just about every Volt made before 2013 has had its original 12 volt battery replaced. For some - the lucky owners- the Volt's computers provided a warning. Many have failed with zero warning and required either an emergency jump (not always successful) or a tow back to the dealer for service. I for one believe that "replace 12 volt battery" should be a GM-recommended service at 42 months in the owners manual - if it hasn't failed by then, it will soon. it can save the owner a lot of grief.

MY2013 and onward trickle charged the 12V while plugged in. I wonder if that reduced the failure rate of those AGM 12V batteries or at least allowed owners to get a few more years out of them? I have a 2013 with 50k miles and still on the original 12v battery.

 

[Steverino]

MY2013 and onward trickle charged the 12V while plugged in. I wonder if that reduced the failure rate of those AGM 12V batteries or at least allowed owners to get a few more years out of them? I have a 2013 with 50k miles and still on the original 12v battery.

You have 4 years on your trickle-charged battery. I have a 2011, with over 6 years on the original, no trickle charge 12V AGM battery. So I'd say the trickle charge has no effect on the life of the battery.

 

[!arry4pyro]

You have 4 years on your trickle-charged battery. I have a 2011, with over 6 years on the original, no trickle charge 12V AGM battery. So I'd say the trickle charge has no effect on the life of the battery.

Same here on my 2011. I also own a 2003 Silverado and it still has the original battery.