Range Extender Battery will require install by service center (to be structurally mounted)

[Late_Refustration]

They are calling you narrow minded because you are calling it stupid for not being able to see the opinions and use cases of others, and you respond with that? Pot, meet kettle.

Look. This is a forum, I am not arguing - simply stating an opinion. My response is more rhetorical than argumentative. Analogy appreciated.

Sandy Munro a while back pointed out space for additional batteries. This extender, if DIY, is an interesting concept that someone may use on as needed basis. When it was first introduced, i wrongly imagined it to be a “Thule roofbox” like device that can be installed/removed at home. Instead, you are getting a $15k piece of equipment that needs install at point of sale, and it eliminates usable bed space. I should caveat my response, that in my personal use case, and only my own - this purchase makes no sense. I hope that no feelings are hurt as a result.

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[CTInProcess]

“Any” meaning if there ever is “Any”

 

[Tinker71]

Am one of them.

And/or waiting for after-market removable.

Or, an outfit that can rig a used Tesla battery pack from a M3 or any model underneath the RV and connect to CT.

Wait for a trailer with a pusher battery. Then you aren't carting it around when you don't need it.

 

[Tinker71]

There's a connection point beneath the compressor if I remember the diagram right.

We obviously know the extender goes in the bed. We know it goes against the wall. I'm not sure what point people are trying to make here?

I have said this before but here it goes again. Install 48VDC battery pack to whatever size you want, install a 48VDC to 110/220VAC inverter, provide a connection from your 110/220VAC inverter to the built in charger, then hack the interlock that will allow you to send charging dc voltage to the traction pack while in motion. It is not super efficient round trip wise, but not too bad.

With the ROCC I have been dreaming about I plan to ditch the rolling tonneau and pack that space with 48VDC batteries. The 48VDC pack would primarily be for camping power, but could charge the traction pack as described above (but stationary without a hack) plus 48 VDC is a good voltage to accept solar power input.

 

[Tinker71]

Look. This is a forum, I am not arguing - simply stating an opinion. My response is more rhetorical than argumentative. Analogy appreciated.

Sandy Munro a while back pointed out space for additional batteries. This extender, if DIY, is an interesting concept that someone may use on as needed basis. When it was first introduced, i wrongly imagined it to be a “Thule roofbox” like device that can be installed/removed at home. Instead, you are getting a $15k piece of equipment that needs install at point of sale, and it eliminates usable bed space. I should caveat my response, that in my personal use case, and only my own - this purchase makes no sense. I hope that no feelings are hurt as a result.

I agree, if not removable by a handy well equipped DIY I am out for sure. 10-15% cell density is coming eventually. I will wait for that.

 

[kbolt]

“Any” range extender. Interesting verbiage. Definitely different than “the” range extender. Signaling hesitation in whether a range extender will be produced?

I think that's just how engineers speak so that the Product team doesn't try to twist things lol

 

[Texarado]

I think that's just how engineers speak so that the Product team doesn't try to twist things lol

It’s also how senior leaders and lawyers speak to cast doubt on any commitment to deliver. I’m not suggesting bait and switch…. But it was curious language. I don’t see the real benefit in the extender for the effort that it will require (mfr and install).

 

[mongo]

It’s also how senior leaders and lawyers speak to cast doubt on any commitment to deliver. I’m not suggesting bait and switch…. But it was curious language. I don’t see the real benefit in the extender for the effort that it will require (mfr and install).

Either there is enough range to get to the next charger or not. Adding 70 miles (post trailer 50% reduction) greatly increases the feasible routes.
Even without a trailer, doing a weekend there and back into a charger desert greatly benefits from an extra 50+ miles of one way range, or more surplus for driving at the destination, or more margin in winter.

As to the original Wes statement, I read it as a requirement that any [all] Tesla range extender would be hard mounted.

 

[Frank_Castle]

That would be great, but a full size CT spare tire is huge! There's no space big enough under the bed to accommodate it with both air suspension and rear wheel steering even if you give up the sub-vault storage.

Maybe, maybe not. I could do away with the underbed storage bin area for extra room for the under the bed spare tire. This would make the truck more useful as a work truck.... like the millions of others out there.

 

[Cybergirl]

Maybe, maybe not. I could do away with the underbed storage bin area for extra room for the under the bed spare tire. This would make the truck more useful as a work truck.... like the millions of others out there.

The Cybertruck is not like the millions of others out there.

Take a look at this rear view photo of the sub-vault. The bottom of the sub-vault is 29" wide at the bottom and 12" deep to the supporting crossbar in the second picture. A full size CT tire is 37" in diameter and 11" wide.

The crossbar in this photo is the bottom support for the sub vault tub. The bolt holes are 11" apart.

The casting ribs look to be 36" apart. Longitudinal space is at most 25". There no way a spare will fit in place of the sub-vault storage bin.

 

[DJAlan2000]

If they are able to drop battery costs by 50% with a dry cathode then perhaps they are buying time until dry cathode is ready for production.

Actually, I think it's a 50% reduction in the costs of the CELLS that make up the battery, but there's a whole lot more to the battery than just the cells... I would hope for a 25% reduction in costs overall though... We shall see... We shall see...

 

[mongo]

Actually, I think it's a 50% reduction in the costs of the CELLS that make up the battery, but there's a whole lot more to the battery than just the cells... I would hope for a 25% reduction in costs overall though... We shall see... We shall see...

It was proposed as a 56% reduction at the vehicle level with all improvements implemented.

 

[Woodrick]

I have said this before but here it goes again. Install 48VDC battery pack to whatever size you want, install a 48VDC to 110/220VAC inverter, provide a connection from your 110/220VAC inverter to the built in charger, then hack the interlock that will allow you to send charging dc voltage to the traction pack while in motion. It is not super efficient round trip wise, but not too bad.

With the ROCC I have been dreaming about I plan to ditch the rolling tonneau and pack that space with 48VDC batteries. The 48VDC pack would primarily be for camping power, but could charge the traction pack as described above (but stationary without a hack) plus 48 VDC is a good voltage to accept solar power input.

Do a little math to look at the feasibility. How many miles do you want to add?

A 4-100AH 12V battery array in series for 48V yields 4.8kWh of power.
What's your average power utilization in the truck? Around 333WH/mile? That's 3 miles per kWh.

That's about 16 car sized batteries to add 50 miles of range.

 

[SpiderGorilla]

My hope is that the reason it has to be installed at a service center and is not removable is because the entire bed has to be swapped out.

Even with the cover rolled ip and the air compressor, there is plenty of room between the bed and structural components.

Maybe you loose a couple of inches of bed base, but not nearly as much room as a toolbox.

I don't forsee Tesla adding any more batteries. The empty space is clearly engineered for impact protection and gas egress in the event of thermal runaway. They are not putting any more batteries in the primary pack.

 

[RVAC]

If you use the truck to tow instead of haul, loss of bed space in a minor issue.
If you haul items greater than 10 feet long, using a a trailer isn't a bad idea.
If you want to haul more than 2,000 pounds of material, a trailer is a necessity.

That doesn't make much sense, it's not black or white, most people don't have a trailer attached 24/7. You can both tow and need the bed when not towing.

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