Storing a Cybertruck for months - ok to not leave plugged in?

[Merc_s55]

At the end of April I will be putting my CT into my shed until December. I know it's recommended to leave it plugged in all the time, but leaving it permanently plugged in is a bit of a pain. Can I simply check it once a week and when it gets down to 20%, plug it in and take it back up to 80%? Has anyone stored their CT for months at a time? Thanks for whatever information you have.

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[rixos]

I keep mine plugged and keeping the charge level at 50 percent. Your target charge percentage for long term storage should be 50 percent not 80.

 

[Merc_s55]

Thank you Rixos. I will use 50% as the maximum. But, my question is---can I leave it unplugged and just plug it in when the charge gets low. Leaving it plugged in all the time is a pain because of where it's stored.

 

[Gritted Cybe]

You should be fine leaving it at 80% unplugged. The way I think about these things are if they are like a big solar generator, like a Bluetti or EcoFlow. Fill them and store them. Just check on them every 6 months or so.

 

[Black306]

Is there at least a 110/120v outlet near by? To maintain a charge, that’ll be more than enough.

 

[Merc_s55]

Thanks for the responses. I will be able to run 110 out to it when necessary. I'm just curious if I can leave it for months not plugged in---just checking it once a week until it's down. Then I will run the 110 out and bring it back up. Would there be a down side to that?
Also - Regarding the secondary battery---the small one. Will the big battery take care of keeping the small battery charged up? Appreciate the knowledge on here.

 

[ABILISK]

Are you a starman leaving the planet or something? Why not drive it all summer?

 

[pricedm]

At the end of April I will be putting my CT into my shed until December.

I would be happy to host your Cybertruck in my garage in Denver, CO. Plugged in to a Tesla charger when not going on its weekly "health" drive.

 

[CyberGus]

With everything off (Sentry, COP, wifi) there should be very little power consumption. It should easily last for months.

When it gets below 20% SoC, all those optional features are shut off anyway.

If being stored in a secure area, I'd consider leaving the frunk open so that it will be easier to jump-start if needed. It doesn't help to leave the charge-port door open, since it cannot initiate charging if the MV battery is dead.

 

[cadamo001]

Ideally leave it 50% plugged in. To move the charge % on 110v would take days anyway. So why not just set it once and forget it.

 

[aeroguy]

80-20 should be fine for any Tesla. I used that technique from time to time with my now 12-year old model S with no appreciable battery degradation over 10 years (beyond what I would consider normal 5-10%).

I’d been concerned and surprised if the MV battery dies after a month or two - I haven’t heard of that and have to assume the truck will keep it at a normal charge range. If you want to experiment, after 1 month, as soon as you get in the truck, go into service mode and check the charge state of the MV.

If you have easy access, I’d recommend taking it for a spin once a month so it doesn’t think you forgot about it. And because mechanical systems do better if exercised periodically.

 

[Crissa]

Checking it wakes it up and breaks up the storage mode, using more power.

So check it as infrequently as possible, and make sure everything that uses power and schedules is off like Cybergus said.

Some EVs don't even go into storage mode until they've been untouched for weeks! My Zero has a mode to store itself for six months but it won't enter it until it's counted 30 days incommunicado.

-Crissa

 

[CyberGus]

Will the big battery take care of keeping the small battery charged up?

Yes of course. The "standby" functions of vehicle are powered by the MV ("mid-voltage") 48V battery, which is topped-up by the HV main pack as needed. At least, it will until a critical SoC is reached (I think it's 3%).

It's OK for the SoC to reach "zero percent", which is ~3V, but it's NOT OK to reach "zero volts". If the pack actually reaches 0V, you'll almost certainly need to replace it (same with the MV battery). Once the MV battery is exhausted and no longer being charged, everything shuts off, so the batteries will only suffer from internal losses. But I've no idea how long it can last in that state before there is permanent damage. If the vehicle has shut off due to low SoC, it should be jump-started and charged as soon as possible.

 

[cadamo001]

Over 110v how long will it take to charge 20-80%? That's my point. Just leave it plugged in.

 

[mongo]

Thanks for the responses. I will be able to run 110 out to it when necessary. I'm just curious if I can leave it for months not plugged in---just checking it once a week until it's down. Then I will run the 110 out and bring it back up. Would there be a down side to that?
Also - Regarding the secondary battery---the small one. Will the big battery take care of keeping the small battery charged up? Appreciate the knowledge on here.

Yes, just top it up when needed (should take a few weeks to drop enough to bother if sentry is off)
However, I suggest doing something to protect against critter damage while it sits there.

Over 110v how long will it take to charge 20-80%? That's my point. Just leave it plugged in.

If weather is favorable, 3-4 days ish.
Which covers it for a few weeks without a cord running along the ground (my understanding of the issue).

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