Solar range extender prototype

[firsttruck]

Might be using 500W solar panel modules


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[JBee]

Those Greentow products are a joke....
18kW max inverter output, but that comes from 36x 165Ah AGM (lead acid) or 37kWh worth of batteries that weigh 6000lb (more than the CT?) all from a measily 36x 135W PV module array that makes 5kW peak at a rock bottom basement price of $114,000!!

Even worked out over a ten year life span, which those rubbish AGM batteries won't do at all (maybe 5?) That works out to a massive $2 per kWh! Grid solar is $0.07c kWh in comparison.

No thanks!

 

[nomadmusk]

I'm still banking on directly adding to the built in solar array with an electrician or from Tesla themselves. Where you plug in a series of your own panels into a separate mppt controller. This trailer gives me hope that they thought of DIYers. I think someone said it had no batteries; all the better!

What does a 20% aero loss matter if your self-sufficient. Ruining aero on my travel range means almost nothing to me, if it's that bad hit up a supercharger for 5 minutes. It's the camping range that matters here. I currently car camp in a civic and my biggest problem has been 6 consecutive days of rain/clouds, and that's with a tiny 200ac bluetti. I know that's a normal week on the east coast, which is why I'm focused on extending that 40 miles a day 'with optimal conditions.'

I saw the estimated surface area was enough for 2 400w panels on the tonneau producing 15 miles a day? I could easily bump that to 30 by adding a few panels.

I estimate using about 66 miles a day through normal use (i.e. computer, fridge, cooking appliances, campsite lights, 24/7 dog mode, night sentry, ice friends). And I'm estimating the tri has enough range for 9-18 days based on YouTubers' losses while overnighting in 3/y

 

[charliemagpie]

Is it just me ?

I'm sceptical.

I find it ridiculous Tesla has this on show, it is so basic. It is a simple after market product. I could build one. And I can't weld !, I could learn lol.

A proof of concept ? Might as well have a Tesla employee standing there showing people how to suck an egg.

If Tesla needed to convince more people to buy their cars by showing them how to get around further.. I could understand.

And they have it an expo ?

A Tesla mobile fast charger able to scale up worldwide would impress me. Not this school project.

I think they are leading their competitors up the garden path.

 

[Alpine]

This proof of concept presentation was for high school students.

 

[Crissa]

How are they supposed to hire smart without showing off projects?

-Crissa

 

[John K]

How are they supposed to hire smart without showing off projects?

-Crissa

Have the solar array trailer power video games

 

[Ogre]

This proof of concept presentation was for high school students.

For or made by?

 

[JBee]

Lol made by and for it would seem.

That is not a Tesla project...

 

[YeahYeahYeah]

I'm totally interested in the solar option!!!! Sure I'd also like to know about the sound system for CT too, like does it have a sweet subwoofer?, I really miss the stereo I had in my Tundra. But yeah the solar option is great and something I really want an update on the most!!!. Even at 15-20 miles of added range a day that is definitely something I want on my CT. They could always offer an additional storable, and/or foldable solar panel array to add to the main solar array as well.

 

[SparkChaser]

I'm totally interested in the solar option!!!! Sure I'd also like to know about the sound system for CT too, like does it have a sweet subwoofer?, I really miss the stereo I had in my Tundra. But yeah the solar option is great and something I really want an update on the most!!!. Even at 15-20 miles of added range a day that is definitely something I want on my CT. They could always offer an additional storable, and/or foldable solar panel array to add to the main solar array as well.

These are currently out there. It is just not made by Tesla or as cool as the CT will be, at least not yet...

 

[FutureBoy]

You know, the one thing that would make this trailer solar project stand out as a CT accessory would be if it was built with SS. Then give it some air suspension like the CT. Suddenly it screams CT accessory.

But I agree that there wasn't a mention of batteries being used to extend range. Would really want that for my CT out in the wilderness.

 

[YeahYeahYeah]

I was mostly thinking of the main solar panel, and then some kind of storable solar panels that could be attached to the CT for charging or even set up nearby from the CT and plugged into the CT battery, after charging quickly disassembled and stored. The trailer for charging is good but If I'm towing something it might as well be a camping trailer w/solar

 

[TheLastStarfighter]

I'm totally interested in the solar option!!!! Sure I'd also like to know about the sound system for CT too, like does it have a sweet subwoofer?, I really miss the stereo I had in my Tundra. But yeah the solar option is great and something I really want an update on the most!!!. Even at 15-20 miles of added range a day that is definitely something I want on my CT. They could always offer an additional storable, and/or foldable solar panel array to add to the main solar array as well.

Dual subs, since you’re wondering.

 

[ldjessee]

Is there an EV that can charge while also being driven?

And I am not talking about tow charging a Rivian or such, I am talking about charging from an external source of the vehicle (so not regenerative braking either).

Like from a trailer. Even if the trailer is generating power from solar panels, from regenerative braking, or even natural gas generator, I am not sure there is any EV that will take power while moving.

Now I like the idea of the solar vault cover and the trailer. Because I drive so little right now, even 10 miles a day above system use/drain would account for a lot of my day to day driving.

And parking the trailer at a camp site, doing some overlanding/light off road exploring, returning to camp, drain out some of what the trailer got while sitting there, is great, especially if you were pulling a trailer anyway (like cargo or RV).

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