For example, does it take the same amount of time to charge from 0% charge to 25%, as it does to charge from 75% to 100%? I might guess not, but I don't actually know. I think it might be reasonable that the charge circuitry is 'smart' and pushes less current into the battery as the battery approaches full. Anyone know if this is the case? Or perhaps the battery is so 'modern' or otherwise so robust that it can accept full/normal charging current right up to it's 100% point. This may very well be the case as I'm aware that when the vehicle reports the battery is 100% fully charged....in reality....the batter is only something like 70% charged of it's absolute potential charge capacity (only the band between approx 30% and 70% SOC is ever used for the battery to really 'baby' it and ensure it lasts the warranted lifetime).
I'm curious in the abstract about the above, it but also sometimes matters as I plan my driving day, depending on my driving/charging need. For example today we need to make two trips out - each of which will pretty much drain the Volt from full charge. The day is starting out with an empty battery since my wife used it for her overnight nursing shift. So I'm wondering what the best charge pattern is. If the charging is strictly linear it doesn't matter what I do, since the number of total hours I have to charge is fixed - and doesn't matter how I spread that time over the two charging periods (those periods being right now first thing in the morning, and then again between the two major trips today).
For example, I can delay my first trip out and allow the battery to charge to near 100% over a periode of about 4 hours before my first chore outing. But then after that outing, I'm home for nearly no time before heading out again - so virtually no charging happens between outings. Alternatively, I can charge move my first outing sooner in time and head out after only charging for 2 hours. Then home again, another 2 hour charge, and out again. Either way I'm getting 4 hours of charge. Simplifying things, lets say I get a full charge over the 4 consecutive hours. On the other hand, I wonder if the charging is non-linear and maybe the first 2 hour charge will get me 60% charge/range....then I go out and fully drain the battery....back home for another 2 hours and another 60% charge/range....then out again draining that. But in the latter scenario at least I've managed to get 120% battery capacity usage rather than only 100% (both scenarios using the same total 4 hours charge time).
Clear as mud? I'm probably babbling. Really, only my first paragraph above matters....just wanted to try to explain why I care. Trying to squeak out every last potential electron and save every last molecule of gas. ;-)
Anyone actually know (as opposed to guessing) if the rate of charge is linear over the entire 0-100%??
I'm curious in the abstract about the above, it but also sometimes matters as I plan my driving day, depending on my driving/charging need. For example today we need to make two trips out - each of which will pretty much drain the Volt from full charge. The day is starting out with an empty battery since my wife used it for her overnight nursing shift. So I'm wondering what the best charge pattern is. If the charging is strictly linear it doesn't matter what I do, since the number of total hours I have to charge is fixed - and doesn't matter how I spread that time over the two charging periods (those periods being right now first thing in the morning, and then again between the two major trips today).
For example, I can delay my first trip out and allow the battery to charge to near 100% over a periode of about 4 hours before my first chore outing. But then after that outing, I'm home for nearly no time before heading out again - so virtually no charging happens between outings. Alternatively, I can charge move my first outing sooner in time and head out after only charging for 2 hours. Then home again, another 2 hour charge, and out again. Either way I'm getting 4 hours of charge. Simplifying things, lets say I get a full charge over the 4 consecutive hours. On the other hand, I wonder if the charging is non-linear and maybe the first 2 hour charge will get me 60% charge/range....then I go out and fully drain the battery....back home for another 2 hours and another 60% charge/range....then out again draining that. But in the latter scenario at least I've managed to get 120% battery capacity usage rather than only 100% (both scenarios using the same total 4 hours charge time).
Clear as mud? I'm probably babbling. Really, only my first paragraph above matters....just wanted to try to explain why I care. Trying to squeak out every last potential electron and save every last molecule of gas. ;-)
Anyone actually know (as opposed to guessing) if the rate of charge is linear over the entire 0-100%??
