My EcoFlow Power Station Range Extender Solution

[hemiarch]

The panel is REC 420W Alpha Pure 2 measuring 73.4 x 40.9 x 1.2 in. I mounted it on Inspired Overland's Carbon Fiber Crossbar Kit which comes with stronger gas struts to handle the weight of the panel (47.8 lbs).

Thank you

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[Woodrick]

Have you calculated the range loss with the additional weight?

And if I read correctly, all of this range anxiety was much ado about nothing.

 

[doggod]

have you looked at www.eco-worthy.com ? they have the best price on batteries, $899 for 5.12 kwh, I have seen. Will Prost has tested and torn them apart and they passed his criteria. will be adding the batteries to my garage. will be comparing the EG4 inverters with eco. EG4 has 12000XP for $2600, 12000 kwh output and 24000 solar input. eco has 10000 kwh output and 11000 solar input for $2000. EG4 also has 6000xp which does 6000 kwh output and 8000 solar input for $1550. all are 120/240 volt.

 

[hemiarch]

Have you calculated the range loss with the additional weight?

And if I read correctly, all of this range anxiety was much ado about nothing.

For me it’s not about the extra range at all. It’s about being able to generate something if I’m ever somewhere remote and have planned poorly to make it back to a road/supercharger.
It may take a while, but I’ll eventually make it back

 

[Cybergirl]

Have you calculated the range loss with the additional weight?

And if I read correctly, all of this range anxiety was much ado about nothing.

There's irrational range anxiety and there's rational concern about having enough range when off-roading in the southwest deserts miles from any charging station. Range loss is a fact of life with a bed rack, rooftop tent, solar panel, and camping gear for days-long, off-road/overland travel. Any loss of range by adding 200 lbs of range extension hardware is negligible compared to the range gained. Things can happen on a well-planned overland route that can leave you with a dead battery short of your next charging stop.

 

[hemiarch]

There's irrational range anxiety and there's rational concern about having enough range when off-roading in the southwest deserts miles from any charging station. Range loss is a fact of life with a bed rack, rooftop tent, solar panel, and camping gear for days-long, off-road/overland travel. Any loss of range by adding 200 lbs of range extension hardware is negligible compared to the range gained. Things can happen on a well-planned overland route that can leave you with a dead battery short of your next charging stop.

Well said

 

[pae1andonly]

Anyone else wondering why Tesla - with it's solar panel expertise along with it access to the software and battery extender interface hasn't provided a crossbar-mountable solar package?

Take my money!!!

 

[BENDERR]

More to just follow along, but I bought a dual fuel generator, tested it out that it will charge the truck in a pinch. That was a year ago. Now I decided to go battery and solar, but after looking at the solar generators I decided I could build one out on my own. Renogy and Grok to the rescue. Still need to buy the battery(s) and inverter. So no testing yet. For a solar panel, I went with their 400W blanket, I’ll drape it over the windshield, help keep the cabin cooler while I charge up during my boondocking.

 

[desertmarcy]

@Cybergirl I enjoy reading about your innovations, makes me realize there are all sorts of things that can be done! I live in southern Arizona and used to do back country trips with a hiking group, very much pre-Tesla days, so curious where you are wanting to go. Cabeza Prieta?

 

[mcm4ss]

On the ol UTube there are two videos that illustrate range is more affected by wind. Weight really doesn't amount to much at all. Weird but there it is.

 

[Cybergirl]

On the ol UTube there are two videos that illustrate range is more affected by wind. Weight really doesn't amount to much at all. Weird but there it is.

That's true, and one can compensate for the extra weight by increasing tire pressure. On my Alaska overland trip, I filled my OEM tires to 60 psi (cold). The truck weighed in a 8400 lbs gross. Any loss in range was minimal.

 

[hemiarch]

That's true, and one can compensate for the extra weight by increasing tire pressure. On my Alaska overland trip, I filled my OEM tires to 60 psi (cold). The truck weighed in a 8400 lbs gross. Any loss in range was minimal.

Fascinating. So how does one figure out this compensation ? Where do you weigh your truck and how much do you increase your tire pressure for additional weight?
Just in pragmatic terms, how do you actually do this in practice?

 

[mcm4ss]

now, just need to figure out how to "tap" into those leads on the battery for the range extender we will never get. Seems if we could just feed into that,,,,, then we could have a true range extender.

 

[hemiarch]

Yeah. I’d have to be out of warranty to even consider such an accessory and even then it would worry me without the software support.
HV is not trivial safety wise either.
In my case there is also the matter of the free supercharging and the potential to lose that.

 

[Cybergirl]

Fascinating. So how does one figure out this compensation ? Where do you weigh your truck and how much do you increase your tire pressure for additional weight?
Just in pragmatic terms, how do you actually do this in practice?

I weighed my truck at a landscape supply business at no cost. As to how much pressure? I don't have any formula. Just don't exceed the maximum cold tire pressure specified by the manufacturer. Also, watch for uneven tire wear. Too much pressure for a given vehicle weight will tend to wear the center of the tread faster than the edges. I put 60 lbs in my tires (cold) when the truck is loaded up with gear, then monitor pressures as temperature and altitude changes. I carry a portable compressor to inflate my tires after airing them down for better off-road traction.

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