Harvester Gas-Powered Range Extender for Cybertruck

[SlegMD]

Imagine all the convo’s you’re going to have to have regarding your CT pulling up to the pump in the gas station
“Hey man I thought that thing was electric….”

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[mcm4ss]

I put in the reservation. LOVE my CT. yes, but range is an issue. It was supposed to be 400+. A 16k battery? Having an issue. That 16K is a BIG down on a Scout. I will not be getting rid of the CT but not having the range, or the promise is difficult. I guess I was dreaming but figured a software update would have pulled 375+ out of my truck. No matter what I do I am 50 miles short on almost any trip I care to take.

 

[MeadowShade]

I AM WITH YOU !

The range is lame argument anyway. It that was not true, there would be a huge backlog for Silverado and Hummber. Both have huge battery packs.

Hmm how much time do you actually save IF you have a 200kw battery pack?

The Siverado uses almost as much power when empty as I do towing a camper.

Oh but I forgot, GM does have a GREAT charging network ... oh wait ... zero.

 

[CybertruckWraps]

Scout Motors is building this into their vehicles. Promising 500 miles range!

 

[Tinker71]

A 7000 w inverter generator can run 18 hours at full load with 14.5 gallon tank.

So 18 hrs x 20 mph generator run time is 360 miles operation. Add back your 350 mile bev only pack you are 710 miles between charge stops. Granted this is not continuous driving.

Not super efficient but not bad on a pound per added range calculation. 416 lbs including fuel. Great for over landing or emergencies. It is easy to carry additional fuel cans.

 

[Woodrick]

It is always fun to watch newbies with their range anxiety. The sky is always falling.

 

[WHIZZARD OF OZ]

The Scout Harvester concept is intriguing. It has the ability to add 150 miles of range to a 350 mile range BEV pack. I want to hear more. How big, what ICE tech? I am thinking this is the ~ 12 HP ICE that I have been lobbying for forever. It just needs to be big enough to take advantage of the onboard charger.

This is how this would work. If you tell your vehicle that you intend to take a long trip, as soon as battery level drops below ~95% the range extender kicks in. It won't turn off until you are sure you can get to the next supercharger. For example if you are driving 70 mph your 'harvester will run for the next 7 hours. The range extender will add 20 miles of range for each hour of operation. You will still run out of juice at ~500 miles and will need to stop and charge to keep going, but as long as you have some fuel in your tank you won't be completely stranded. Just wait an hour and you can drive another 20 miles.

The Ram Range extender is a full on v6 gas motor, which is heavy. Like a giant battery this is something you need to haul around every day when you only need it occasionally. The harvester range extender or similar could weigh as little as 250#. Imagine being able to add this to the CT on a little removable skid.

Packaged right, this could be fairly light and removable even. This could be especially awesome if the little ICE could heat the rig with waste heat through the battery conditioning loop and heat pump which would almost eliminate winter range loss.

Hackers unite.

VERY INTERESTING
My colleague Mr. Archer wants a Winnebago and is considering the CYBERCAB as a follow vehicle.....no 'A' frame.
I suggested it just follows and island hops to a charging pad every so often to keep itself 'HEY CHARGER'
Mr. Archer suggested it just meets up in SYDNEY! 'The WINNEBAGO IS SIDENKNEE!!!''

 

[Tinker71]

Not sure we have all the facts
15 hours may be too long. Assume sustained driving is where they get the 500 miles. The harvester is adding 150 miles and if we assume 400 wpm then that is the Harvester adding 60 kw.

So a 10 kw generator is about 1 gallon per hour. 6 gallons could do it

we have to remember weight and space considerations too. Also, like Tesla, range will always include a strong “tale wind”!

This is why I love the small range extender. Low weight penalty, never truly bricked. Even a little fuel cell would work. Less noise and emissions equipment.

 

[MeadowShade]

This is why I love the small range extender. Low weight penalty, never truly bricked. Even a little fuel cell would work. Less noise and emissions equipment.

I am leaning that way. Sort of like a spare. Oh wait. We don’t have a spare!

 

[Crissa]

Also, like Tesla, range will always include a strong “tale wind”!

No, the EPA numbers assume a speed of 50mph, and haven't been updated in decades.

This is why I love the small range extender. Low weight penalty, never truly bricked. Even a little fuel cell would work. Less noise and emissions equipment.

But they're not small. And can be 'bricked' just like any other if the low voltage system fails.

-Crissa

 

[Crissa]

It was supposed to be 400+.

No, only one version was supposed to have that much range, and it wasn't the first version. The ranges were 250, 300, and 500. They didn't say the extended range would be standard.

-Crissa

 

[mcm4ss]

No, only one version was supposed to have that much range, and it wasn't the first version. The ranges were 250, 300, and 500. They didn't say the extended range would be standard.

-Crissa

yeah. still have that video, still have the reservation. still says 500 and I do not have 500. Of course I did order the tri motor and got the AWD. Bend said I did not have a choice.

 

[carsly]

Why not fill the bed with Ecoflow batteries and replace the tonneau and roof glass with solar panels instead?

Oh wait, Tesla is working on a range extender battery pack that will do most of this work already AND recharge at Superchargers without need for any specially rigged electrics. I think just pay the $16K and move on if that's what you need.

Seems simpler than strapping down a 20kw Kohler generator and a lot of propane bottles.

 

[mbeltran]

I’ll wait for the Tesla Range Extender to drop in price. Can you imagine the noise and vibration of a 10 hp motor running in your vault? No thanks!

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