Range Extender Alternatives

[BeFamousVideo]

I would really love a range extender alternative that didn’t occupy so much room in the truck bed. I only need about 330 miles of total real world range , so probably 40-50 miles of extra range as an auxiliary battery.

Do you think a range extender that occupies the vault storage compartment and leverages the existing available connections for the the forthcoming range extender would be a viable solution ? Is someone developing this yet?

Your idea of a range extender which is smaller and lower cost may be useful. If the current option from Tesla was 50% smaller and had a similar price point it might sell more as it would also take up less space in the bed of truck. Most people don't want to give up the truck bed space. I know I don't.

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[Beyond]

As far as I can tell from the service manual, there are no existing connectors for it to plug into. It may require a different penthouse or get placed inline with existing connections.
Regardless of connection, the vehicle software would not play nice with an unknown pack. Even if you could get matching chemistry and series cell count.

This could be it and/or a connector for inductive charging:

 

[mongo]

This could be it and/or a connector for inductive charging:

Yeah, I originally though that might be for extender, but the size and service manual call out for inductive charging (along with the photo only showing two pins populated) changed my mind.

 

[Stuck4ger]

Yeah, but that's a one time cost to get up to speed which you regain a portion of via regen.
The real cost of higher speed is the squared term in the aerodynamic resistance equation. 75 MPH is about double the energy needed for overcoming aero vesus 55 MPH.

It’s the same V*2 term in both equations.

 

[mongo]

It’s the same V*2 term in both equations.

Yes, but momentum once gained no longer drains the battery. Aero impacts energy consumption every mile.
Accelerating 7000 pounds to 55 MPH requires 267Wh once , driving at 55 MPH requires >300 Wh every mile (not that all of that is aero).

 

[Outdoors]

From personal experience. I charge to 100% from where I am at. I don't care. I carry an ECO-Flow Delta. I use that for about 4 or 5 days to do all the tasks I need. Not the truck.

Till some addition. Ya get about 150 in and 150 out at slow speeds. Is how I work it. Same way did with my 3. Go in shut it down. Use other things.

The truck can only do what the truck can do. Open roads, and make them dirt. Safe travels.

 

[Trbizwiz]

That's a stupid answer. It doesn't matter how many superchargers nearby when you go out for offroading or camping overland.

If that’s the only use case for additional range, I’d power the trailer. Powered, self propelled pusher trailers, extend EV range. Maybe do a DIY build like the Jeepers do, with those adventure trailers. You could probably get a few Leaf batteries cheap. I think a model 3 battery sells for $3 to $5k on eBay.

 

[cyberos]

This could be it and/or a connector for inductive charging:

@Beyond found the same answer I did, while watching Inside Tesla's Cybertruck Battery Pack - Caresoft Teardown (minute 20:50):

@prizla, I think what you want is something that can plug directly into the "Range extender conn" and mimic the official extended range battery?

I went down a Cybertruck teardown rabbit hole a few weeks ago and learned that the official extended range battery is a "smart" battery, mostly for thermal management. It mostly likely will be connected to the Cybertruck's heatpump as well.

Out of curiosity I checked out the Cybertruck service manual and it does not mention how to connect external batteries to the range extender. It doesn't even describe the regeneraive braking system, which might be another option for charging the main battery while driving.

Anyway, I think your best option is to simply drive a lot slower... but then it's smarter to just drive normally and stop at a Supercharger.

Some dude actually did the 9.5kw generator test that I mentioned in my earlier post, even used the exact same model of generator. Cool to see that the idea actually works.

 

[CyberTruckeeTheOne]

If that’s the only use case for additional range, I’d power the trailer. Powered, self propelled pusher trailers, extend EV range. Maybe do a DIY build like the Jeepers do, with those adventure trailers. You could probably get a few Leaf batteries cheap. I think a model 3 battery sells for $3 to $5k on eBay.

Good idea!

I only need extended range when pulling an RV.

I don't want or need a powered RV. But once range extender connection is known. I can buy the model 3 battery and mount it on the RV and make the connection from there.

Dang, am still on moderator hold. I don't know how long is my prison sentence. ?

 

[mongo]

@Beyond found the same answer I did, while watching Inside Tesla's Cybertruck Battery Pack - Caresoft Teardown (minute 20:50):

@prizla, I think what you want is something that can plug directly into the "Range extender conn" and mimic the official extended range battery?

I went down a Cybertruck teardown rabbit hole a few weeks ago and learned that the official extended range battery is a "smart" battery, mostly for thermal management. It mostly likely will be connected to the Cybertruck's heatpump as well.

Out of curiosity I checked out the Cybertruck service manual and it does not mention how to connect external batteries to the range extender. It doesn't even describe the regeneraive braking system, which might be another option for charging the main battery while driving.

Anyway, I think your best option is to simply drive a lot slower... but then it's smarter to just drive normally and stop at a Supercharger.

Some dude actually did the 9.5kw generator test that I mentioned in my earlier post, even used the exact same model of generator. Cool to see that the idea actually works.

Except that the port labeled range extender is actually for the second rear motor on Beast...

 

[Jethro]

I would really love a range extender alternative that didn’t occupy so much room in the truck bed. I only need about 330 miles of total real world range , so probably 40-50 miles of extra range as an auxiliary battery.

Do you think a range extender that occupies the vault storage compartment and leverages the existing available connections for the the forthcoming range extender would be a viable solution ? Is someone developing this yet?

Would be nice to have the option to charge while driving and then use a super charger to recharge. Having something removable and modular would be great.
I have an extra battery (1kWh) in the back to keep my bed fridge/freezer going while the charging because the bed outlet shuts off….can Tesla change that?

 

[Stuck4ger]

…
I have an extra battery (1kWh) in the back to keep my bed fridge/freezer going while the charging because the bed outlet shuts off….can Tesla change that?

The outlets don’t shut off when supercharging, they shutoff when using an AC charger. When I’ve done such I’ve also had the ability to hook up an extension cord to power the things plugged into the outlets. Tesla could change that but it’s a big hardware change and they obviously made the decision not to implement it.

 

[dalton108]

How about, don’t drive so fast, that is the best results for the lowest cost?

How about the roads I need to use have a posted speed limit of 80mph?

I’d say the average speed that people do on this stretch of highway is 90 and it stands between me and one of my favorite campgrounds. Also, I’m going to need to be pulling my trailer so there goes my range in half.

So, how about you guys that are always suggesting these “simple” solutions recognize that the world is bigger than your experience?

 

[dalton108]

Also sounds like a Prius mindset.

And this sounds like hyper-partisan bullshit. I would never be seen dead in a Prius, but you can thank those hippie motherfuckers for the existence of your cybertruck. No need to be a douche bag.

 

[DoberManPin-Sure]

And this sounds like hyper-partisan bullshit. I would never be seen dead in a Prius, but you can thank those hippie motherfuckers for the existence of your cybertruck. No need to be a douche bag.

Welcome to the conversation, angry man, several months late and clearly with an creative imagination that lead you to post the only douche bag response in this thread.

There's nothing partisan whatsoever in my response, unless you are talking as between drivers who prefer "chill" mode (aka the stereotypical Prius driver) and those who prefer Beast mode.

I have friends who have driven Prius and none or "hippie motherfuckers" or of any particular "hyper-partisan" group (presumably politically partisan in your hostile parlance). One worked in the Bush/Quayle Administration in fact.

So, unless you feel like me implying someone who suggested we drive our CTs/CBs in chill mode is hyper-partisan and douche baggie--in which case, enjoy yourself in your angry rant, b/c I couldn't careless what you think--then you've completely misread the thread and my comment.

Speaking of someone needing to consider a Prius "chill mode". . . .

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