Maximum regen rate?

3120 Views 15 Replies 12 Participants Last post by wordptom, May 4, 2017

homesteadelectric

Discussion Starter · May 2, 2017

Anyone know what the max regeneration rate on a Gen 1 is? I see up to -40 on the kw meter but is all of that being absorbed by the battery or at some point is just dissipated?

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Hmmmm, how exactly are y'all achieving the 55+ kW rates?

For example, when I get off the Interstate at the exit I use most frequently, one crests a hill and in my ICE vehicles, I just cancel cruise and still have to brake strongly at the bottom about a mile from the crest.

In my Volt, I'll cancel the cruise and if nobody is behind me, I'll drop it into Low at 70 MPH and still have to brake halfway down the off ramp. In this scenario, I will see 12 - 15 kW peaks before touching the brakes and increasing to 14 - 17 kW while braking. I think I saw it hit 18 but I have never seen a number of 20 kW or greater.

I'm basing this on the "Engine" graphs in the main instrument cluster / LCD with the bars at go up in yellow and down in green. I have MyGreenVolt but have not compared those values.

Added: From a topo map, I estimate the elevation drop about 55 feet from the crest to the traffic signal at the bottom of the exit ramp... not exactly a mountain but still a hill nevertheless.

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z80

· #13 · May 3, 2017

canehdian said:
The DIC number is the total high voltage power of the system - if it's positive, power is being pulled from the battery (or engine)
If it's negative, that amount of power is being fed into the battery.

When braking or L-coasting to a stop, the rate of regen is proportionate to speed/rate of deceleration. If you're not going fast enough, you might not see that max number.

If you are driving in single motor mode, you will see maximum 55kW regen from the single large motor (half the max output)
If you were in dual motor mode, you might see up to 60kW regen as both motors work together. This isn't as common as the system usually declutches fairly quickly. Typically 55kW is max.

Would you consider going into Low at 70 mph / 110 km/h be a situation where one would expect to see maximum regen?

What if I shift to Low and apply the brakes ?

(Assume comfortable temperatures and a battery that is isn't at a full state of charge.)

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z80

· #15 · May 4, 2017

canehdian said:
Shifting to L at that speed may get you there, but might be a bit below.
L+moderate to firm brake pressure certainly would.
But as you slow down, the regen rate will drop proportionately. So you'll only see 55/60kW max at the very start of the deceleration.

Between this and other messages on this BBS, I am now convinced that my car has an issue, but I have no clue as to what it is. Therefore I have started a new thread so as to not hijack this one and filled the first post with as much information and I could think of.

Thanks for your reply!

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