Maybe it will never happen, but if it does.. Where should I store my 12v lithium ion jump starter battery pack? My initial thought was the frunk, but if the 12v dies I can't open the frunk. Can I open a door or trunk?
-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
If your 12V battery dies....
- Thread starter insaneoctane
- Start date
-
- Tags
- Model 3
I am fairly certain the M3 only has one method to gain access to the frunk if the 12V dies, and know for certain the M3 only has one "model year" so far.
It doesn't appear to me that there is any external place to store a 12 volt power supply. When the Model 3 12 volt system is dead, the frunk can be opened by applying 12 volts to the connection behind the tow eye cover on the front bumper. Once the frunk is open, you can access the 12 volt battery connection.
My plan:
1) If I can find a place externally to hide a 12V jumper pack, hide and move 12V emergency frunk leads to 12V jumper pack location
2) If I cannot do the above, place 12V pack internally with 12V emergency frunk leads routed to this internal location, and have a hidden remote activation switch for the 12V jumper pack
Paranoid. Maybe. Stolen motorcycle, stolen car battery, and multiple home break in victim
.My plan:
1) If I can find a place externally to hide a 12V jumper pack, hide and move 12V emergency frunk leads to 12V jumper pack location
2) If I cannot do the above, place 12V pack internally with 12V emergency frunk leads routed to this internal location, and have a hidden remote activation switch for the 12V jumper pack
Paranoid. Maybe. Stolen motorcycle, stolen car battery, and multiple home break in victim
I'm not quite sure what you are protecting against. The frunk can only be opened this way when the 12v battery is dead, and even then it only gives access to the frunk.
My plan:
1) If I can find a place externally to hide a 12V jumper pack, hide and move 12V emergency frunk leads to 12V jumper pack location
2) If I cannot do the above, place 12V pack internally with 12V emergency frunk leads routed to this internal location, and have a hidden remote activation switch for the 12V jumper pack
Paranoid. Maybe. Stolen motorcycle, stolen car battery, and multiple home break in victim
Your thread got me thinking about my own Model 3 situation. I've been ordering items for my Model 3, even though I don't have it yet. I did a search on Amazon and found a small (4.5"x2.5"x1") 12 volt lithium ion battery that should operate the frunk latch in an emergency and the battery pack is small enough to carry in a jacket pocket.
Exactly. Along with another 12V battery that can be stolen, tow hook, etc.
And in my case all that stuff that currently rolls around and takes up space in my trunk (like basic survival kit, water, reflectors, tire kit, etc.). That way I can use the rear seat/trunk area solely as versatile cargo space.
seattlite2004
Active Member
So you are able to get the frunk open...now what....battery is dead...is that user replaceable? Can I just go down to my local auto parts store and pickup another 12V and replace or do I need the car towed to Tesla service? Is the car driveable with a dead 12V. If you gotta tow the car anyway...why not just have the tow company bring the external 12V.
Guess the bottomline is change out the 12V before it dies...hope the car is smart enough to tell ya when the 12V is about to die so one can replace.
Guess the bottomline is change out the 12V before it dies...hope the car is smart enough to tell ya when the 12V is about to die so one can replace.
Uncle Paul
Well-Known Member
Current Tesla's do have sensors that alert owners if the 12V or traction batteries become suspect.
Owners can physically gain entry into their frunks. Details in owners manual.
Just like any other vehicle, if the 12V is totally dead the car will not start.
Instructions are also detailed on how to hook 12V up to a charger.
Owners can physically gain entry into their frunks. Details in owners manual.
Just like any other vehicle, if the 12V is totally dead the car will not start.
Instructions are also detailed on how to hook 12V up to a charger.
From what I have seen, the battery is a standard SLA. I haven't popped off the battery cover on one, so don't know for sure (hint current owner please have a look for us
).You could wait for the 12V source to arrive, and then rely on the tow operator on knowing how to access the frunk on a Model 3 and then how to ready it for tow mode (my money is on most tow operators knowing nothing about Teslas).
And if its towed without it in tow mode everyone is in for a spectacle. IMO better to be equipped well enough to get the vehicle tow ready while you await the flat bed's arrival.
If the M3 is anything like the S...if you are running short on range and start getting low on the HV battery, it will start offboarding 12V loads to the 12V battery in order to maximize remaining HV capacity. So even a 12V in excellent condition beforehand may die in this situation.
No one sees the irony here? My mini jump starter (which could be used to open the frunk) is in the frunk. So, if I have 12V to open the frunk, I don't need it! The battery jumper can be used to 1) open the frunk and 2)start the vehicle (which really means pull the high voltage battery in), but where should I store it so that I can use it when the 12v battery dies? No physical key makes this a mystery....
I’d just call roadside assistance. This is a situation that should be very rare and not worthy of all the concern, in my opinion.
Maybe not common, but many years of car ownership has taught me to have jumper cables just in case. Recently, that has been replaced by portable li-ion battery packs for the same purpose. Having one of these can save you well over an hour of lost time. So, now that we've given up our spare tire, we must also give up our portable battery too? It's so small and simple, why?
