TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Approaches for cooling the motor?

Discussion in 'Roadster: Performance' started by nick, Jul 18, 2017.

  1. hcsharp

    hcsharp Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2011
    Messages:
    3,370
    Location:
    Vermont
    I look forward to your results! Didn't Tesla try a nitrogen cooling system in the Roadster as an experiment a few years ago when Joost was still there?
     
  2. wycolo

    wycolo Active Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2012
    Messages:
    3,068
    Location:
    WA & WY
    For competition shouldn't you jumper the fan ON before start of race rather than waiting for delayed response?
    --
     
  3. nick

    nick Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2012
    Messages:
    155
    Static test of CO2 cooling parts...


    Tank was full so liquid draw when horizontal. Plan is to mount the tank upside down.

    Flow rate is 2.5-2.6lbs/minute so 85% usable off a 20lb tank is about 6m30s of run time.
     
    • Informative x 2
  4. nick

    nick Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2012
    Messages:
    155
    Installed and track tested...

    [​IMG]
     
    • Like x 3
    • Informative x 1
  5. hcsharp

    hcsharp Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2011
    Messages:
    3,370
    Location:
    Vermont
    Well??? How much longer full-power run time did you get?
     
  6. eye.surgeon

    eye.surgeon Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2014
    Messages:
    1,368
    Location:
    California
    Buy a track car? How much fun is it really to track a 5000 pound family sedan.
     
    • Funny x 1
  7. FlyingCookie

    FlyingCookie Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2016
    Messages:
    249
    Location:
    Nashville, TN
    This is not the subforum you're looking for...
     
    • Funny x 4
    • Like x 1
  8. nick

    nick Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2012
    Messages:
    155
    I have never tracked a 5000 pound family sedan so I can't answer that from first hand knowledge, though I am pretty sure I could have fun on the track in anything with 4 wheels and running slicks.
     
    • Like x 1
  9. nick

    nick Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2012
    Messages:
    155
    The first session I did the warmup lap without cooling, then 4 laps before the CO2 ran out.

    The next two sessions the motor quickly overheated with gas left over - discovered the nozzle was blocked from small chunks of the teflon tape used on the threads.

    The last three sessions the CO2 cooling worked - the battery overheated before the motor. The car has air-con cooling for the battery pack but it only seems to use it for a short time to get the temp just below the overheat threshold.

    If I could force the air-con battery cooling to run for the full 40 minutes between sessions the battery might cool down enough to do the 4 laps the CO2 can support.

    Could easily run two tanks of CO2 together to double the CO2 run time... then we would know how many laps the battery can do when cold and determine if it is worth it.
     
    • Informative x 1
    • Like x 1
  10. ML Auto

    ML Auto Member

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2014
    Messages:
    709
    Location:
    SW Florida
    • Helpful x 1
  11. djp

    djp Model 3 Performance

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2011
    Messages:
    1,120
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    The battery cooling is more aggressive if you charge in Range mode. It won't run continuously, but it does target a lower temperature than a standard charge.
     
    • Informative x 1
  12. TTimeAttack

    TTimeAttack New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2018
    Messages:
    2
    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Any updates on this thread? I will be competing in Time Attack in my ‘17 P100D Model S and in car testing, yes, motor cooling is an issue.

    Thanks
    -Churchill
     
  13. nick

    nick Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2012
    Messages:
    155
    Yesterday was the 2018 ReFuel track day at Laguna Seca... I recorded an official TT time of 2:00 (.264) which is a personal best and put me in 9th place for the day.

    This was the first track day where the battery didn't overheat, thanks to this mod:
    Manual battery cooldown mod - a cure for the Roadsters insomnia

    I turned the air conditioning on while waiting pre-grid (~10 mins), left it running for the 15 minute session, came back in with the battery one below the orange, then gave it 5 minutes to cool down to 2 below the orange.

    Motor still overheats after ~2 laps... really need to come up with a solution for that.
     
    • Like x 1

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC