EEVBlog2 - Tesla Model S - Australian Test Drive

[gxti]

As fun as that would be, it's not very practical. 3-phase power in US residences is essentially never seen and you'd need even more charge circuitry in every car. For banks of charge ports in parking lots you'd just distribute the single-phase charge ports evenly across the phases.

[tom66]

It's literally a set of contactors which only energise the cable when safe to do and a control circuit for them. EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment.)

There are five pins on the J1772 socket (Tesla use a custom socket, but signalling is compatible, and the high power charger uses the same signals.) PILOT, PROXIMITY, GND, and AC L1/L2. (Or L/N.)

Surprised it doesn't have 3 pins to allow for 3-phase.

For European models it does. It uses Mennekes 3-phase connector... modified slightly for fast DC charge capability at 135kW supercharger & 50kW chademo.

Personally I think Tesla missed the ball in not making the US versions implicitly three phase compatible - even if they never used it, they have to have two connectors, one for North America, and one  for the rest of the world?!

Here's what's inside Tesla's 80A EVSE...

[eneuro]

Personally I think Tesla missed the ball in not making the US versions implicitly three phase compatible ...

I hope, Tesla supports this most reliable and available method of recharging electric car anywhere, of course using diesel generators and plant oils should be prefered, so it can be still ecological and green energy 

Wait or move to 4:00 minute where you can see how to extend range on some electric cars, but do not do it yourself while it might be prohibited usage of such electric generators in most countries, I guess 

BTW: Why classic cars can not be started just like those electric generators and those high current starter 12V batteries are needed 

[tom66]

Can't do that on Model S or Roadster, it won't charge without an intact ground.
Someone worked it out, something like driving an 8 MPG car.

[SeanB]

Buy a Lada Niva, they come as standard with the crank handle. Interesting vehicle, you can just about stand in the engine bay, even with the standard accessories that the car comes with: engine, spare wheel, high lift jack, wheel spanner, crank handle and a toolbox. Funny thing is that you can start it with the battery barely able to light the headlamp, though using that crank handle can break your arm.

[Stonent]

Just what needs servicing? Stuff that breaks can be handled by having a car carrier to transport the vehicle, and a loaner unit if needed dropped off. Same with accident damage that is more than a replacement bumper.

Small issues can be handled by simply having a "Guy In A Van" with all the tools, small wear parts and such, on call somewhere convenient and central, who will travel to wherever you are and do the work on site. If there are less than 100 vehicles in the country that is very easy and will work well with minimal overhead and fuss.

Probably the most used item will be a 20kVA diesel genset on a trailer, used for those who are absent minded and who forget to charge and drive until the vehicle says "enough". It is likely they will only do that once in all the ownership of the vehicle.

I now have this mental image of a Tesla towing a caravan that's connected to the generator in the caravan.

So... Will it accept a charge while in motion?

[miguelvp]

I now have this mental image of a Tesla towing a caravan that's connected to the generator in the caravan.

So... Will it accept a charge while in motion?

I don't know but maybe 4chan convinces Tesla owners that it can be charged in seconds if you put it in the microwave 

Kidding aside I would think they kept the frame as light as possible so I don't think it will be able to tow things, but maybe it can? Haven't look into it.

Like the Isuzu VehiCROSS I was thinking in getting but I got a Rodeo Sport because that could tow things

[tom66]

I have seen a Model S towing a small trailer going down the M1 a week ago.
It doesn't have a hitch, but you can attach one.
I imagine range is affected.

[SeanB]

Depends on what you tow as to how it affects range. I used to get better fuel economy towing a small boat than without it, just from the improved airflow around the combination. Of course once on the water.........

Boat, a hole in the water you toss money into. But a lot of fun. Still have the scar from the illegal fishing line I collected one day, complete with the rod, hook and sinker. Was always fun to relax out at the back of the surf and just inside the shark nets, looking down at the big gents in grey suits. Even more fun in the one sardine run, picking up sardines from a ball of them. Was slow coming back though, was towing Ricky.

[mikeselectricstuff]

I have seen a Model S towing a small trailer going down the M1 a week ago.
It doesn't have a hitch, but you can attach one.
I imagine range is affected.

Maybe it was an extra battery pack

[n45048]

I found it a bit odd that they didn't install a 4G/LTE modem in the thing. The reason the Tesla guy gave in the video was that 4G doesn't yet have the coverage. But if you move outside a 4G coverage area, it will negotiate down to HSDPA, 3G and I presume even down to EDGE and GPRS in fringe areas?

[free_electron]

we released the 'D' last week.
0..100 km/h in 3.2 seconds. Supercar territory. Twin motors , all wheel drive with torque vectoring. and .. wait for it.... AutoPilot.

Yes, Knight Rider afficionados : KItt2000 is now real  . The car uses a sensornetwork of 12 long range ultrasounds in combination with long range radar , a camera and image processing , the GPS network and the maps to drive itself. It can change lanes, follow traffic , adapt to speed signs ( it reads speed signs ) , adapt to the flow of traffic slowing down and picking up in congested area's, avoid people , animals or other obstacles crossing. it will park itself in your garage and come back out fully autonomous.

the video is on youtube.



oh, and we got some really cool robots too... prepare to drool when Elon releases 'the titan'
and subsequently lowers it back down

[miguelvp]

Way cool.

Are you still using the Vehicle Platform system from Lotus for the frames?

[NiHaoMike]

Now just add some way to turn it into a plug in hybrid (a generator trailer, perhaps?)  and it could very well become the ultimate car for those who drive long distance a lot.

[tom66]

Now just add some way to turn it into a plug in hybrid (a generator trailer, perhaps?)  and it could very well become the ultimate car for those who drive long distance a lot.

Please, no.

The Model S is a good car already, why compromise it with an extra engine? Noisy, dirty, inefficient engine and extra drag. Why? If you want that, buy a petrol-hybrid or diesel-hybrid. If you're on the fence, a 500 mile pack should be available within 5 years.

Battery swapping in December, apparently, so  full charge in 90 seconds.

[EEVblog]

Yes, Knight Rider afficionados : KItt2000 is now real  . The car uses a sensornetwork of 12 long range ultrasounds in combination with long range radar , a camera and image processing , the GPS network and the maps to drive itself. It can change lanes, follow traffic , adapt to speed signs ( it reads speed signs ) , adapt to the flow of traffic slowing down and picking up in congested area's, avoid people , animals or other obstacles crossing. it will park itself in your garage and come back out fully autonomous.

I asked that about the previous car, and it didn't even have a front camera for "whatever" in the future, which I found rather non-forward thinking.

[Fungus]

I have seen a Model S towing a small trailer going down the M1 a week ago.
It doesn't have a hitch, but you can attach one.
I imagine range is affected.

Maybe it was an extra battery pack

Maybe.

I always wondered about doing that. Soooo many people say they woould never buy an electric car because they need to go on long road trips. I think they're a bunch of whiners (car rental anybody) but the obvious answer is a rentable trailer with extra batteries.

Maybe you could even swap trailers in "filling" stations on really long trips - it would be just as fast as filling up with gas. The car's GPS could tell you where they were and when to swap.

Why isn't it a standard feature for electric cars?

[Fungus]

Yes, Knight Rider afficionados : KItt2000 is now real  . The car uses a sensornetwork of 12 long range ultrasounds in combination with long range radar , a camera and image processing , the GPS network and the maps to drive itself. It can change lanes, follow traffic , adapt to speed signs ( it reads speed signs ) , adapt to the flow of traffic slowing down and picking up in congested area's, avoid people , animals or other obstacles crossing. it will park itself in your garage and come back out fully autonomous.

Knowing my luck it will go in the garage, sulk, and refuse to come out.

[Rasz]

Soooo many people say they woould never buy an electric car because they need to go on long road trips.

quick google: 15% is the industry standard for "number of 4x4s that actually go off-road". Same for long trips. Our brains tell us we need to prepare for the worst case, this is why soccer moms drive in suburbans or navigators.

[Alexei.Polkhanov]

I am maybe 0.1% of population who are "crazy" in a sense that I want things like:

1. 100% access to full source code of everything that runs on my car with instructions on how to build and install it.
2. Complete, detailed maintenance and repair guide.
3. Access to 3-rd party components such that I can buy battery cells from at least 4 independent sources for example.

I do not believe that car makers actually care about this - all they want is to lock you into using their shitty glorified forklifts with proprietary parts. You buy their car and they own part of you forever in some sense. So unless someone in government come to senses and will make them to provide this sort of things they will never do. This places all currently available electric cars into same category as Apple/Sony etc. hardware - I would LOVE to build those things but will never buy and use one. For me personally - all sorts of hacks, black/grey market components work just fine.

I often to say "I want to be a DEALER on this market not USER!"

[eneuro]

it will park itself in your garage and come back out fully autonomous.

But... it can't fly 

Probably it is cheaper and easier to buy and operate small airplane than those Te$la's .

"Fuel consumption is running under 5 litres per 100 kilometres, less than the average car."

Cars (even electric) has no future...