Testing the health of the 12v AGM_battery
This is my conclusion from researching if it is possible to get an early failure warning for the Chevy Volt's 12v battery. If anyone has something to add or correct, please post and I will adjust this original post.
For this GM_Volt forum's FAQ on the 12v battery:
Chevy Volt 2011-2015 12v Battery replacement FAQ
On how to access the 12v_battery for a generation 2 (2016-2019) Chevrolet_Volt:
joe beermaster
Chevy Volt Battery Location & How to Jump Start
For a primer on electricity and batteries, look at the bottom of this post.
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Why does the Chevrolet_Volt have an 12v AGM_battery?
For the most part, all hybrids and pure electric vehicles have a lead acid 12v AGM_battery, including Tesla cars. There are used to power the_electronics, lights, and to connect / disconnect the high voltage lithium-ion_batteries. By including a 12v battery, manufactures can use existing equipment and provide a secondary system to safely handle the lithium-ion_batteries. Unlike ICE cars, it is not used to start the gas engine. However, the car will not start with a dead 12v battery.
For more information:
Transport Evolved
Tech Primer: Why 12-Volt Batteries in Electric Cars Get Sick -- And How To Keep Yours Healthy
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What causes the 12v AGM_battery to die?
In short, sulfation. It is a deposit buildup that occurs during normal cycle usage but does more so when the battery is not fully charged. The high current flow from starting an ICE car can help clean the buildup. But of course, this is something that does not occur in a hybrid/EV.
For more information:
Battery University
BU-804b: Sulfation and How to Prevent it
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Can one check on the health of the 12v battery?
Maybe.
The problem here is that checking the health of the battery for an ICE car is different than for a hybrid/EV. For an ICE car, one checks to see if it can produce the initial high current to start the gas engine. For a hybrid/EV, one checks if it can maintain the continuous moderate current to run the_electronics.
The Transport Evolved YouTube video (Nissan_Leaf) suggests to look into a new battery when there is a 1 volt drop that occurs between starting the car and an hour later. One can possibly measure the voltage through the interior_12v outlet for convenience.
In a KmanAuto YouTube video (Tesla model S) on checking the 12v battery, he suggests if it is over 10-15 milliohms of resistance. One can measure this with a multimeter or a battery tester. Battery testers that measure resistance are inexpensive. And usually only the higher-end professional multimeters can measure resistance, though they are more generally useful.
Both of these methods make sense. If there is buildup on the battery, it will have difficulty maintaining the needed current.
For more information:
KmanAuto
Tesla 12v Lead Battery Health Check - SIMPLE TO DO!
-----------
Is there a better 12v AGM_battery?
Maybe.
Initially, car_batteries were primarily used to start the car, or need "cold cranking amps". Hybrids/EV need a deep-cycle battery that can withstand the constant moderate usage. Tesla cars use a custom 12v deep-cycle AGM_battery for this reason.
For more information:
EV Innovate
Deep Cycle Battery Selection Confusion
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Can one extend the life of the 12v AGM_battery?
Again, maybe.
Desulfators send pulses of current into the battery to break up the deposits. They can keep an old battery good and rejuvenate some dead batteries. However, hybrid/EV cars may already have some type of built in desulfation mechanism. I was unable to confirm or disconfirm this for the Chevy_Volt.
For more information:
Army Institute of Technology, Pune, India
Review on Desulfation of Lead-Acid Battery for HEV
-----------
Primer on Electricity and Batteries
Electricity is electrons and electrical devices utilizes the movement of electrons. Using a water analogy, imagine we have a water tank at the top of a hill that has a pipe in which water can flow down the hill into a reservoir below. With the moving water, we can then have a waterwheel to do some task. In this analogy, that anode part of the battery is the water tank at top of the hill and the cathode is the reservoir at the bottom.
Voltage is a measure of potential. Higher the water tank is elevated, the more work can be done with the flowing water.
Current is a measure of the amount of electricity flowing through.
Resistance can be viewed as a kind of blockage. Higher the resistance, smaller the hole to let it pass through. For example, LEDs have a higher resistance than halogens. LEDs don't need as much current so they don't let as much electricity through.
Capacitance is analogous to amount of water in the tank.
This is my conclusion from researching if it is possible to get an early failure warning for the Chevy Volt's 12v battery. If anyone has something to add or correct, please post and I will adjust this original post.
For this GM_Volt forum's FAQ on the 12v battery:
Chevy Volt 2011-2015 12v Battery replacement FAQ
On how to access the 12v_battery for a generation 2 (2016-2019) Chevrolet_Volt:
joe beermaster
Chevy Volt Battery Location & How to Jump Start
For a primer on electricity and batteries, look at the bottom of this post.
-----------
Why does the Chevrolet_Volt have an 12v AGM_battery?
For the most part, all hybrids and pure electric vehicles have a lead acid 12v AGM_battery, including Tesla cars. There are used to power the_electronics, lights, and to connect / disconnect the high voltage lithium-ion_batteries. By including a 12v battery, manufactures can use existing equipment and provide a secondary system to safely handle the lithium-ion_batteries. Unlike ICE cars, it is not used to start the gas engine. However, the car will not start with a dead 12v battery.
For more information:
Transport Evolved
Tech Primer: Why 12-Volt Batteries in Electric Cars Get Sick -- And How To Keep Yours Healthy
-----------
What causes the 12v AGM_battery to die?
In short, sulfation. It is a deposit buildup that occurs during normal cycle usage but does more so when the battery is not fully charged. The high current flow from starting an ICE car can help clean the buildup. But of course, this is something that does not occur in a hybrid/EV.
For more information:
Battery University
BU-804b: Sulfation and How to Prevent it
-----------
Can one check on the health of the 12v battery?
Maybe.
The problem here is that checking the health of the battery for an ICE car is different than for a hybrid/EV. For an ICE car, one checks to see if it can produce the initial high current to start the gas engine. For a hybrid/EV, one checks if it can maintain the continuous moderate current to run the_electronics.
The Transport Evolved YouTube video (Nissan_Leaf) suggests to look into a new battery when there is a 1 volt drop that occurs between starting the car and an hour later. One can possibly measure the voltage through the interior_12v outlet for convenience.
In a KmanAuto YouTube video (Tesla model S) on checking the 12v battery, he suggests if it is over 10-15 milliohms of resistance. One can measure this with a multimeter or a battery tester. Battery testers that measure resistance are inexpensive. And usually only the higher-end professional multimeters can measure resistance, though they are more generally useful.
Both of these methods make sense. If there is buildup on the battery, it will have difficulty maintaining the needed current.
For more information:
KmanAuto
Tesla 12v Lead Battery Health Check - SIMPLE TO DO!
-----------
Is there a better 12v AGM_battery?
Maybe.
Initially, car_batteries were primarily used to start the car, or need "cold cranking amps". Hybrids/EV need a deep-cycle battery that can withstand the constant moderate usage. Tesla cars use a custom 12v deep-cycle AGM_battery for this reason.
For more information:
EV Innovate
Deep Cycle Battery Selection Confusion
-----------
Can one extend the life of the 12v AGM_battery?
Again, maybe.
Desulfators send pulses of current into the battery to break up the deposits. They can keep an old battery good and rejuvenate some dead batteries. However, hybrid/EV cars may already have some type of built in desulfation mechanism. I was unable to confirm or disconfirm this for the Chevy_Volt.
For more information:
Army Institute of Technology, Pune, India
Review on Desulfation of Lead-Acid Battery for HEV
-----------
Primer on Electricity and Batteries
Electricity is electrons and electrical devices utilizes the movement of electrons. Using a water analogy, imagine we have a water tank at the top of a hill that has a pipe in which water can flow down the hill into a reservoir below. With the moving water, we can then have a waterwheel to do some task. In this analogy, that anode part of the battery is the water tank at top of the hill and the cathode is the reservoir at the bottom.
Voltage is a measure of potential. Higher the water tank is elevated, the more work can be done with the flowing water.
Current is a measure of the amount of electricity flowing through.
Resistance can be viewed as a kind of blockage. Higher the resistance, smaller the hole to let it pass through. For example, LEDs have a higher resistance than halogens. LEDs don't need as much current so they don't let as much electricity through.
Capacitance is analogous to amount of water in the tank.
