I found a close up shot of what the Bolt's engine bay will look like and there's a sticker showing you how to cut off the power? Personally don't really know what everything is but I assume someone here can make heads and tails of this.
Anything orange is high voltage (for first responders)
12v battery and brake master cylinder/reservoir on the far right (in the photo)
Blue fluid reservoir is washer fluid
The coolant reservoirs for the 3 loops are visible (red orange fluid)
AC compressor and hoses on the left.
Center is the usual electronics for an EV (inverter/charger/BMS, etc)
The Bolt's layout is so much cleaner than the average gas engine bay and everything is easier to locate. Now I can see where the washer fluid levels are without guessing and thanks to DucRider, I know to stay away from anything orange. Sure they're wrapped in a protective layer but now that I know what they are, it makes me a little anxious.
Anything orange is high voltage (for first responders)
12v battery and brake master cylinder/reservoir on the far right (in the photo)
Blue fluid reservoir is washer fluid
The coolant reservoirs for the 3 loops are visible (red orange fluid)
AC compressor and hoses on the left.
Center is the usual electronics for an EV (inverter/charger/BMS, etc)
Does anyone know what the orange fluid in the translucent plastic bottle near the dash and behind the hood support rod is? Being an ICE driver and totally ignorant of BEV systems, I'm guessing battery temperature regulation fluid?
It's a brave new world out there and I've got a lot to learn.
Many thanks to all of the kind folks on the forum who so generously share their experience and knowledge.
Does anyone know what the orange fluid in the translucent plastic bottle near the dash and behind the hood support rod is? Being an ICE driver and totally ignorant of BEV systems, I'm guessing battery temperature regulation fluid?
It's a brave new world out there and I've got a lot to learn.
Many thanks to all of the kind folks on the forum who so generously share their experience and knowledge.
Coolant (GM uses Dexcool which is orange instead of green)
If you look closely there are 3 reservoirs with the orange coolant
1) Battery Pack (takes 6.9L)
2) Power Electronics (Inverter/charger) & Drive Unit (3.9L)
3) Passenger compartment (1.8L)
All those batteries probably needs extra cooling and there needs to be enough to go around the whole floor of the Bolt where they're located. That's a lot of area to cover and I guess that's why there's so much coolant.
Found a diagram showing us areas that needs cooling.
What might help in the future is constructing the batteries of lighter material. So if the casing is metal, going to carbon fiber could save some, that along with savings elsewhere in the vehicle.
I wonder why the Bolt and other BEV's use a single speed (transmission?) I've learned that the motors used in EV's make max torque at
0 RPM. Wouldn't a few extra speeds help lower the current draw at highway speeds?
If this has been asked before please direct me to the answer, if possible.
I wonder why the Bolt and other BEV's use a single speed (transmission?) I've learned that the motors used in EV's make max torque at
0 RPM. Wouldn't a few extra speeds help lower the current draw at highway speeds?
If this has been asked before please direct me to the answer, if possible.
Thanks again to DucRider.
I understand the torque curve.
I'm having trouble understanding the decrease in KW (draw) as the speeds increase on the right hand side of the graph.
I'm probably getting dumber quicker than I thought I was.
Thanks again to DucRider.
I understand the torque curve.
I'm having trouble understanding the decrease in KW (draw) as the speeds increase on the right hand side of the graph.
I'm probably getting dumber quicker than I thought I was.
That's available torque and power - as in having the "go pedal" mashed to the floor. While a 2 speed tranny might be of some use, the benefits are marginal given the characteristics of electric motors and the added cost, weight and complexity of a multi-speed transmission.
I think I finally get it. Your comment about the "loud pedal" being mashed reminded me of the horsepower/ torque curves I used to study in the many motorcycle reviews I was reading a quarter century ago. Just like an ICE engine torque that peaks first then drops as the horsepower curve continues to rise for a period of time(rpm).
As the speed increases for a BEV the available torque falls quickly requiring more and more "juice" to continue to accelerate. Hence to poor highway mileage for EV's.
Thanks again DucRider. I fell like I should be giving a consultant's fee.
The speed/Kw chart should be.required reading for all motorists who are concerned about fuel economy and the money they spend for the fuel.
I can't count the times I've seen minivans and large suv's flying past me on the highway while I'm doing the speed limit + 2 or 3 mph.
When I get my Bolt it will be used for all those around town "errands" I seem to run now that I'm retired.
Or a string bass, upright bass, contrabass, bass fiddle, bull fiddle, whatever you want to call it.
I’m posting this (including all those name variants in the first sentence) because I really needed this info two months ago, when I was zeroing in on the Bolt as my EV of choice. Long searching...
On a side note, if anybody wants a clean 72CC electric start engine with a CVT and #41 sprocket output, let me know, or if there are any spare Curtis 48V controllers for brushed DC you'd want to trade.
Look!
See!
I can do three!
Three kayaks up on top!
We are not going to let them drop!
(Apologies to Dr. Seuss)
I installed Yakima 50" crossbars with the BigStack boat rack on our 2018 Bolt EV Premier for hauling three kayaks. The crossbars are easily removable without the need for tools, so...
shepdave · updated
boltadmin · updated 
