Is this the future for my Gen 1 Volt?

1098 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by 2012voltKPC, 2 mo ago

Prohidium

Discussion Starter · 3 mo ago

My volt is aging out, failing and I might have to get rid of it, OR, should I repurpose it?

I stumbled across this YouTube video of a guy that is turning a Gen 2 Volt battery pack into a DIY (sort of) off-grid powerwall/solar storage device. Essentially, he is resectioning the volt battery into 44volt sections and then hooking them up in parallel to create a 44volt x 8 unit lithium battery storage unit which can be used with a 48V system. It is kind of intriguing. The scary part is when he is cutting/drilling/tapping out the battery and sometimes with his baby on his back (literally).

Chevy Volt Battery, Gen 2, Pick up (off-grid solar) - YouTube

I haven't watched it all the way through yet but it sure looks interesting. I suspect the Gen 1 pack could be sectioned off in the same way.

Has anyone on this forum thought about this or tried anything like it?

FYI, this guy got his Volt Gen 2 battery from a salvage yard for about $2k.

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Prohidium

Discussion Starter · #2 · 3 mo ago

Another guy using a Leaf battery and 2 Volt batteries for an off-grid setup.

Chevy Volt + Nissan Leaf Battery - off Grid Storage - YouTube

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hellsop

· #3 · 3 mo ago

load-spreading (whether from solar or just time-of-use) is a pretty valid use for older batteries that can't keep up with their original-purpose demands. charging or discharging at 1kw is a LOT easier than 30kw.

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stevon

· #4 · 3 mo ago

Prohidium,

You can repurpose a Volt battery pack but to safely use them you need to be very careful with your choice of battery management or BCM for your particular use. You would need to contact battery Cell manufacturer and figure out how to safely charge, discharge, thermal control and manage the cells built up into various battery pack configurations. This is an electrical engineering exercise for sure!

Stephen

Prohidium said:
My volt is aging out, failing and I might have to get rid of it, OR, should I repurpose it?

I stumbled across this YouTube video of a guy that is turning a Gen 2 Volt battery pack into a DIY (sort of) off-grid powerwall/solar storage device. Essentially, he is resectioning the volt battery into 44volt sections and then hooking them up in parallel to create a 44volt x 8 unit lithium battery storage unit which can be used with a 48V system. It is kind of intriguing. The scary part is when he is cutting/drilling/tapping out the battery and sometimes with his baby on his back (literally).

Chevy Volt Battery, Gen 2, Pick up (off-grid solar) - YouTube

I haven't watched it all the way through yet but it sure looks interesting. I suspect the Gen 1 pack could be sectioned off in the same way.

Has anyone on this forum thought about this or tried anything like it?

FYI, this guy got his Volt Gen 2 battery from a salvage yard for about $2k.

Save

Prohidium

Discussion Starter · #5 · 2 mo ago

I would worry about fire mostly! I have been watching a few videos and most charge them with a lithium rated charger similar to how you would charge LiPo type batteries (Based on a multiple of the current capability/rate or something like that) and of course this is charging 48v batteries in parallel vs a series 300v+ battery pack. I would definitely research the proper charger and I doubt it would be inexpensive. Everything would need to be properly fused as well. I can see this sitting in my cold cellar which is essentially a concrete vault. Definitely would want a fireproof door and some sort of suppression system. I actually set up a small 12v solar system using the old 12v AGM battery to power my 12v led undercabinet lighting in my kitchen. The AGM is almost 11 years old now and still working fine. That is the most of my knowledge of solar/battery systems so far!

stevon said:
Prohidium,

You can repurpose a Volt battery pack but to safely use them you need to be very careful with your choice of battery management or BCM for your particular use. You would need to contact battery Cell manufacturer and figure out how to safely charge, discharge, thermal control and manage the cells built up into various battery pack configurations. This is an electrical engineering exercise for sure!

Stephen

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2012voltKPC

· #6 · 2 mo ago

Hi I have had Chevy volt / LG chem batteries running on 6+ grid interactive solar storage projects since 2015. I have cut thru the tops to make 24, 32 and 56 volt arrays. this is extremely dangerous, but have a template that reduces risk. The primary rule is to use a reputable BMS to keep it safe. Then you need to program the charge/discharging parameters. The battery was made to use coolant but in the right environment it can be run dry. I wouldn't try this DIY, but a battery with less capacity isn't worth hauling around in a car has provided me years of energy options in a box on the wall.

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