A New Layer—Not a Replacement (Yet)

Our upcoming piggyback infotainment kit, built around the Khadas VIM3 Pro, is designed to co‑exist with the Chevrolet Volt’s factory systems—not rip them out. From day one, the stock infotainment, safety systems, and displays remain fully intact. Our platform rides alongside them, carefully cooperating with factory logic while opening the door to modern features, deep visibility, and long‑term upgrades.

This approach is intentional. The Volt is already a beautifully engineered car with an exceptional safety record. Our goal is to coax out its full potential, not override it.

1. Modern Infotainment, Fully Customizable

The piggyback system allows a next‑generation infotainment experience while preserving the original GM interface.

Key capabilities include:

• Co‑existence with the stock infotainment system
• Use of the factory display, with optional support for upgraded displays
• Support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and virtually any Android‑based app
• Optional THX‑grade audio output, with add‑on amplifiers and speakers
• A fully customizable interface tailored to how you use your Volt

We’re also developing Volt‑specific custom apps, including tools to:

• Clear diagnostic codes
• Recover or “unbrick” a vehicle when possible
• Enable remote assistance, allowing a qualified professional to securely help diagnose issues from afar

2. Real‑Time Insight the Dealer Tools Don’t Show

Dealer scan tools often summarize or obscure what’s really happening under the hood. Our system provides high‑resolution, real‑time visibility into areas that matter most to Volt owners:

• Propulsion limits
• Battery constraints and derating reasons
• Arbitration logic between vehicle systems
• Thermal and power management behavior

This data isn’t just for curiosity—it’s foundational for diagnostics, longevity, and smarter energy use.

3. Safe Feature Enablement & Experimentation

The platform is built to support controlled experimentation, always in cooperation with factory safety systems.

Potential capabilities include:

• New or refined drive modes
• Tuned regenerative braking feel
• Improved energy management strategies
• Optimized thermal behavior

Safety is non‑negotiable. Our software will not allow actions that could damage the vehicle or endanger occupants. Every feature is designed to respect the Volt’s existing protections.

4. A Gateway to Future Capabilities

The piggyback architecture also serves as an interface layer for what comes next:

• Advanced driver‑assist experimentation
• Future autonomy features as the technology matures
• New hardware integrations we haven’t even imagined yet

By adding intelligence around the vehicle instead of replacing it, the Volt becomes upgradeable in ways most cars never will be.

Designed for Longevity, Not Hacks

It’s taken years to reach a balance where systems are modifiable and safe at the same time. We deliberately avoided releasing dangerous tools that could be abused or harm the Volt’s reputation.

Instead of seizing control, our platform works with the car—extending its value, usefulness, and lifespan.

With our upcoming replacement and extended‑range battery packs, the Volt evolves into:

• An ideal city commuter
• A confident long‑distance road‑trip vehicle
• A car free from range anxiety

Future paths may include DC fast charging, or potentially skipping straight to solid‑state batteries. If owners are investing in a premium pack, it should be truly next‑generation—not a compromise.

Data Today, Reliability Tomorrow

While the infotainment system co‑exists with the stock setup, it also performs a critical role: data collection.

The VIM3 Pro continuously monitors vehicle and battery metrics to help us:

• Determine battery health
• Track internal resistance and cell balance trends
• Detect early warning signs before they trigger a check‑engine light

This data feeds into a centralized system where AI analyzes trends across the fleet, similar to what GM once did before 3G connectivity was retired—only now, owners stay informed.

If our AI detects a developing issue anywhere in your vehicle systems, you’re notified early, while it’s still a manageable situation.

Connectivity Options

Data is transmitted securely via:

• Wi‑Fi (lower cost)
• 4G LTE (faster, always connected)

Owners can choose the option that best fits their needs.

Beyond the Volt: A Universal CAN‑Bus Vision

While the Volt is our starting point, it’s not the end.

We plan to offer similar piggyback systems for any CAN‑bus‑based vehicle, enabling:

• Custom infotainment platforms
• CAN message collection and decoding
• Long‑term support for vehicles at risk of being orphaned

Our priority is EVs, where battery availability can determine whether a car lives or dies. Our mission is simple: no vehicle should be abandoned because replacement or upgraded batteries don’t exist.

With AI accelerating CAN‑bus analysis, we can move faster than ever—freeing engineers to focus on the next most critical platforms.

The Bigger Picture

This is more than an infotainment upgrade.

It’s a foundation for:

• Safer modifications
• Smarter diagnostics
• Longer vehicle lifespans
• A future where EVs improve with age instead of becoming e‑waste

The Volt just happens to be the perfect place to start.

Exciting Progress on Our Chevy Volt Battery Project

We’re thrilled to share an update on our ongoing battery replacement project for the Chevy Volt! Our team has been hard at work on prototyping, testing, and refining the design to deliver a reliable, high-performance solution for Volt owners.

After evaluating different options, we’ve decided that our production battery will use larger lithium-ion cells, a step up in capacity and efficiency from traditional cells. These cells offer better energy density, longer lifespan, and improved thermal stability—key factors in providing a dependable and safe replacement battery.

The prototyping phase is progressing smoothly. We’ve been designing and testing battery holders, wiring, and monitoring systems to ensure each module performs optimally. The prototype helps us fine-tune the assembly and integration with the Chevy Volt’s existing systems, preparing us for full-scale production.

Our goal is to create a battery pack that not only matches but exceeds the performance of the original, giving Volt owners a sustainable and long-lasting alternative. The upcoming production version will benefit from everything we’re learning in this prototyping stage.

Stay tuned for more updates as we move closer to production! We’re committed to transparency and sharing our progress with the EV community every step of the way.

At Nutz N Voltz / Promethean Batteries Inc., we believe that electric vehicles deserve a second life. That’s why we’re working on an open-source customizable, upgradable infotainment and control system for the Chevy Volt.

We now have a public GitHub repo where you can explore, contribute, and build on the software side of this project:

👉 GitHub: monroelkjr-cyber

What’s Included Right Now

The front half of Monroe’s software is already open source, focusing on displays, integration, and automation:

• AAOS (Android Automotive OS) integration
• VCX SE Pro gateway support
• Comma 2 Autodrive with Ardupilot for redundant safety monitoring

There’s also a simple, low-cost way to take control of the Volt’s center display by using pins 6 and 12 on the Volt HMI to input a composite signal (backup camera input). With a basic mechanical switch, you can toggle between the stock backup camera and the new AAOS-driven display.

Hardware Setup

For those eager to dive in, the starter kit costs around $250 in hardware:

• Khadas VIM3 Pro
• VCX SE Pro (connected to the passenger-side secondary DLC for access to the right CAN bus signals)

This setup allows you to:

• Drive the stock display (or replace it later with HDMI displays)
• Add touch overlays, keyboards, or mice for full interactivity
• Run customizable AAOS apps for climate control, radio, navigation, CarPlay, and more

Why This Matters

Traditional solutions require $300–500 LVDS switch boxes. Our approach uses the existing composite input, making it much cheaper and open to further development. As the project evolves, both the dash and center console displays will be fully app-driven, customizable, and future-proof.

The VIM3 Pro’s M.2 slot even supports 5G modems, enabling on-board apps for phone, internet, maps, and a self-hosted OnStar alternative.

What’s Next

Later this year, Monroe plans to release open-source work on the electric motor controllers, transmission, and drivetrain—a huge leap forward in extending the life and performance of the Chevy Volt.

Get Involved

This is a community-driven project, and we welcome contributions in both code and art. Whether you’re a developer, designer, or EV enthusiast, your skills can help push this forward.

🔧 Explore and contribute: GitHub Repo

⚡ Follow our journey as we make the Chevy Volt more sustainable, customizable, and powerful than ever before.

Taking Over the Chevy Volt Center Console

At Nutz N Voltz, we’re always looking for ways to push the Chevy Volt beyond its factory limits. The OEM software and HMI (Human-Machine Interface) were great for their time, but EV tech has advanced, and we believe Volt owners deserve more flexibility, control, and future-ready features.

That’s why we’ve designed a custom circuit board that takes over the center console display, giving us the ability to run a KHADAS VIM3 single board computer alongside the stock Volt HMI. With this setup, drivers will be able to switch between the factory system and our custom interface seamlessly.

What’s Next

Right now, the hardware is in place and testing has begun. Our next milestone will be refining the software environment, building the switching logic between the OEM interface and the KHADAS platform, and laying out the roadmap for the first custom applications.

This is just the beginning, but it marks a major milestone for the project — shaping the Volt into a platform that evolves with its drivers, not one locked to 2010-era software.

Stay tuned as we share progress updates, demos, and eventually, a look at the new custom UI in action.

One of the most challenging — and exciting — parts of building our new replacement battery pack for the Chevy Volt is creating the high-voltage connector system that bridges our battery to the Volt’s existing wiring and control modules. While it might seem like “just a plug,” this component plays a critical role in performance, safety, and long-term reliability.

Why We Need a New Connector

The original Chevy Volt battery connector is purpose-built for GM’s pack layout and module design. Since our pack uses a different cell configuration — 18650 cells arranged in modules — we can’t simply re-use the OEM connector without major compromises.

We need:

• Electrical compatibility with the Volt’s Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) and High Voltage Powertrain Control Module 2 (HPCM2).
• Mechanical security so the connector locks firmly but can be serviced if necessary.
• Weatherproofing to protect against corrosion and moisture.
• High current handling to safely manage the pack’s peak discharge rates.

Our Design Process

We started with the OEM connector footprint to ensure plug-and-play compatibility with the Volt’s harness. From there, we modeled a new housing in CAD, focusing on:

1. Pin layout & load capacity – ensuring each contact is rated above the Volt’s maximum current draw.
2. Sealing surfaces – integrating silicone O-rings and gaskets to keep out dust and moisture.
3. Strain relief – so cable movement doesn’t stress solder joints or crimp points.
4. Heat management – using copper alloy contacts with gold plating for low resistance and better thermal performance.

Materials & Prototyping

We’re using:

• Glass-filled nylon for the connector housing (high strength, heat-resistant).
• Marine-grade copper contacts plated in gold for conductivity and corrosion resistance.
• EPDM rubber gaskets for weather sealing.

The prototype housings are being 3D printed for test fits, while contact pins are CNC-machined. This allows us to refine tolerances before moving to injection molding.

Testing & Validation

Before we roll out the production connector, we’ll test for:

• Vibration resistance – simulating road conditions.
• Thermal cycling – ensuring no cracks or loosening over time.
• Electrical load – confirming it can handle sustained and peak amperage safely.
• Ingress protection – targeting IP67 water/dust resistance.

Why This Matters

This connector is the bridge between our modernized battery pack and the Volt’s proven powertrain. By designing it to meet — or exceed — OEM specs, we’re ensuring that owners can confidently upgrade to our replacement pack without sacrificing performance, safety, or serviceability.

As we finalize the design, we’ll share more photos and possibly a behind-the-scenes look at the CAD models and test rigs.

Laser Cutting & 3D Printing of the Battery Case Is Under Way!

Big news — the 3D printing of our custom Chevy Volt replacement battery case is in full swing, and if all goes according to plan, it may be shipping to us as early as Wednesday! This is a major step toward completing our prototype pack for Volt and Cadillac ELR owners.

Why This Case Matters

Our new battery pack design uses 18650 cells in nine modules, arranged differently from the OEM pack. That means we needed a completely new case to:

Combining Laser Cutting & 3D Printing

The case isn’t just 3D printed. We’re combining laser-cut metal components for strength and 3D printed structural pieces for precision fit and complex geometry.

• Laser Cutting:
• The base plate, mounting points, and reinforcement ribs are laser-cut from aluminum for light weight and durability. Laser cutting gives us:
• Tight tolerances
• Clean edges without post-processing
• Consistent repeatability for future production runs
• 3D Printing:
• The cell holders, wiring channels, and case panels are being printed in glass-filled nylon — a material that’s lightweight, strong, and heat-resistant. 3D printing lets us:
• Rapidly prototype changes
• Create custom cable routing features
• Build complex shapes that can’t be machined easily

From CAD to Reality

The case was modeled entirely in CAD, then split into sections for printing and cutting. The design process involved:

1. Thermal simulations to ensure proper cooling
2. Finite element analysis to predict strength under load
3. Alignment features so assembly is foolproof

After printing, the panels will be cleaned, heat-treated for added strength, and bonded to the laser-cut framework.

What’s Next

Once the case arrives this week, we’ll:

• Test-fit all cell modules
• Install the new high-voltage connector we just designed
• Begin final assembly of the prototype pack

This hybrid fabrication approach — combining laser-cut precision with 3D printing flexibility — ensures our battery case will be both strong enough for daily driving and custom-fit for our upgraded design.

The test Volt is coming along nicely! seats and carpet are out and I am about to cut the hump out and reinstall the battery plate so we can build this battery from the top and keep an eye on it and monitor it while we test it! There's about 50 or more lbs. of sound deadener on that floor they used a lot!