I’m trying to figure out how long it takes to get the battery to the right temperature. When I use a fast charger, it should start the conditioning, but is there any way to check if it’s working? I know it turns off after a while, but how long does it stay at the right temperature?
I have a lower spec Niro without battery preconditioning. I use a Bluetooth OBD dongle with ABRP that shows the battery temperature.
In winter, I condition the battery manually on long trips by charging it from 30% to 50%. This takes about 15-20 minutes while it’s cold, and the temperature reaches around 26C (79F). After that, I drive until it drops to 15-20%, and the battery stays at 26C, which allows it to charge to 80% in about 35 minutes.
So once the battery is warmed up, it stays at that temperature for more than an hour in my experience.
I have a MY23 model. If you tap the EV app on the homescreen and select the car, it will open a sub-screen. The second tab shows energy consumption for the current charge, divided into car, HVAC, electronics, and battery conditioning. It shows the percentage used and the kW consumed.
I tried using Kia navigation and set it to a fast charger when the outside temperature was 5°C. Five minutes from the fast charger, I kept checking the energy consumption screen, but it didn’t show any power used for battery conditioning. I had already been driving for 1.5 hours on highways.
I also noticed that when I use Google Maps (Android Auto), it stops the Kia navigation, and vice versa. I wish there was a way to manually turn on battery conditioning or see the battery temperature.
@Briar
That’s awesome! I found that screen you mentioned because of your post. It’s really helpful, and I can see it working now. I will try that screen next time I need a fast charger to check how long it stays on and when it turns on while I’m using navigation. Thanks for sharing!
@Marcell
Please let me know how it goes, and also if you can track the outside temperature.
Has anyone used an adapter to fast charge at Tesla chargers? What adapter are you using? Can you share the link, much appreciated.
Rory said:
Has anyone used an adapter to fast charge at Tesla chargers? What adapter are you using? Can you share the link, much appreciated.
You can’t use Tesla fast chargers until mid-January at the earliest. But I’ve used the Tesla Magic Dock Superchargers without any issues. It’s basically the Tesla branded adapter without the release button.
I’m also planning to order the A2Z Typhoon Pro adapter.
@Poe
That’s interesting. Are you in the US? In Australia, it works already, and I used one a few weeks ago. But it’s more expensive here unless you have a Tesla membership. The rate here is $0.92 per kWh, while other brand Superchargers are $0.68 per kWh. They all use the CCS2 chargers here.
@Poe
Wow, thanks! I’m in Pasadena, CA. Now I know exactly which adapter to buy in January.
Rory said:
@Poe
Wow, thanks! I’m in Pasadena, CA. Now I know exactly which adapter to buy in January.
If you want to be ready from day one, I recommend ordering before January because there’s currently a 2-week wait, and demand is rising as more cars get access. Also, check out reviews of the A2Z adapters on YouTube, like the State of Charge channel. They have discount codes that can save you some money.
@Poe
Thanks .
@Rory
That’s the one .
In my 2019 model with the winter package, it felt automatic based on the temperature. I’ve driven in 17°F, and I could hear a hum underneath the car. I never activated anything.
Not sure about the Gen 2 NiroEV.
@Brett
This will be my first winter with the 2020 Niro with the Warmer and Heat Pump. So far, I got the heat pump working, and it only used about 500 watts to keep the cabin warm at 30°F (I set the heater to 63°F). I did a 60-mile trip and only used about 2% of the battery on heat. The seat and steering wheel heaters used about 200 watts. Do you ever check the power usage when you hear the hum under the car? I wonder when it will turn on. I keep checking, and I assume it needs to get below 32°F?
Thanks.