[Lasidar]

Regarding rate based charging, does this apply also during preconditioning? My off-peak hours are 7pm-7am, but I normally don't leave until 8am. I would like to precondition while plugged into my EVSE, but I'm wondering if my option to only charge during off-peak peak hours will prevent the Volt from pulling power from the EVSE during the precondition.

Any input or tips are appreciated.

 

[PrivatePilot]

Activating a precondition will draw grid power regardless of any rate/time/location based charging restrictions. It's all completely overridden at that point.

We are in the exact same situation as you, also located in Ontario. My wife leaves every morning around 7:30AM (and the Volt is configured to avoid the 7a-9a peak electricity period for normal charging) but it does indeed draw over 3KW from our grid (as verified on my whole-home wattage display) during precondition.

 

[Lasidar]

Activating a precondition will draw grid power regardless of any rate/time/location based charging restrictions. It's all completely overridden at that point.

We are in the exact same situation as you, also located in Ontario. My wife leaves every morning around 7:30AM (and the Volt is configured to avoid the 7a-9a peak electricity period for normal charging) but it does indeed draw over 3KW from our grid (as verified on my whole-home wattage display) during precondition.

Thank you, that is exactly what I was hoping to hear!

 

[telveer]

In my Gen 1, it pulls power from the wall when preconditioning even when the rate is not favorable but once the precondition stops, it will not top up the battery (in some cases, precondition can draw more than 3.3kw, or 3.6 in case of gen 2, and the difference comes from the battery)

 

[PrivatePilot]

In my Gen 1, it pulls power from the wall when preconditioning even when the rate is not favorable but once the precondition stops, it will not top up the battery

You know, I hadn't even thought about that part of the equation.

I think I'll adjust my time of use configuration to move the low-rate schedule end ahead an hour to 8AM, despite the fact it actually ends at 7AM - this way when we precondition at 7:15A every morning it'll top off the battery afterwards.

 

[dmatt13]

Ok newbie time for dumb question. How do I do the precondition? Is it the same as the remote start option on my key fob? thanks

 

[jcanoe]

Ok newbie time for dumb question. How do I do the precondition? Is it the same as the remote start option on my key fob? thanks

Yes, the remote start will precondition the battery and also heat or cool the cabin depending on the last climate control setting.

 

[TSquare]

Or if you leave the HVAC in Off or Fan Only, it will do what ever it needs to reach the set temperature.

 

[dmatt13]

Yes, the remote start will precondition the battery and also heat or cool the cabin depending on the last climate control setting.

That's what I figured but wanted to be sure. Thanks for clarifying for me.

 

[Dgcan75]

So to confirm, even when you use departure time based charging, the car will not precondition if you have entered your departure time as 8 am? You need to activate the precondition button each day before leaving. Do you suggest to do this 10 minutes before leaving? What about cold winters, still 10 minutes before leaving?

 

[Barry]

I believe the preconditioning only runs for 10 minutes (that is how Gen 1 is set up). So triggering it earlier than that means it will be off when you leave. Or you can run it up to two times in case your departure is delayed, or if you want a more thorough warming up.

 

[sparty]

So to confirm, even when you use departure time based charging, the car will not precondition if you have entered your departure time as 8 am? You need to activate the precondition button each day before leaving. Do you suggest to do this 10 minutes before leaving? What about cold winters, still 10 minutes before leaving?

Programmable charge modes and pre-conditioning are orthogonal features. Some local laws prevent auto pre-conditioning from ever happening. Some local laws state a valid driver must have a view of the car when pre-conditioning. So you must always use remote start (pre-condition).

And note - there are scenarios where remote state will not happen:
1) Hood open
2) Xmitter in car
3) HV Battery fault
4) Emmission controls fault
5) 2nd restart will fail if low fuel

And then the remote start can be autonomously canceled if:
1) Coolant is too hot
2) HV battery faults
3) low oil pressure on ICE