Yes, the battery will not show up on the catalogs. But it's a Group Size 51R and you can find AGM versions at auto parts stores. They are more expensive than the OEM purchased from Tesla, but it doesn't matter to me. I live 2 hours from the nearest Service Center and don't want to have a spare on hand (nor do I want to replace my 12v battery until it fails).
Why do you think it is an AGM? It has a vent on the side connected to a hose. NOT a sealed battery. It is not inside the cabin like a Prius or Mini cooper which are AGM to prevent hydrogen gas from entering the cabin space.
I think the best process is how I plan on doing it when mine dies. I stashed an A23 battery in a ziplock bag behind the tow hook cover. The battery is a tiny 12v battery and two fit perfectly where you screw in the tow hook (you only need one, but two gives you a backup). Use the A23 battery to pop open the frunk using the two wires behind the tow hook cover. I carry a lithium iron phosphate jump starter in my frunk that I can use to jump start myself. If that fails, I also put a small 10mm wrench in the jump starter pouch so that I can replace my own 12v battery with a group size 51R battery purchased from any auto parts store or big box store.
Is it documented that they changed the software for charging the 12 V? there were rumors a while back.
April 19 Model 3 I plan on changing battery every 3 years unless the rumored change to the 12 v BMS improves the life. There must have been a reason that the new S & X have a Li battery like they couldn't get long life with the lead acid BMS.
No, I just know that it has changed based on what I have observed when the car charges the 12v battery.
Ha, my 3 is a little younger than yours, and I've been waiting for that sudden failure since it passed its 2nd birthday. Yes, I carry around a 9V in my pocket! And, there's a Noco starter in the frunk. As well as, wrenches to change the battery, and I bought a 51R at SamsClub for $85 on sale. It's currently starting my standby generator. If it fails at home, I can swap out the battery, since I'm 3hrs away from the closest SC.
Stowing an A23 battery behind the tow cover may shorten its life in cold climates. Instead I carry it with me in a makeshift wallet insert. See attached pics:
I'm wondering the same thing. I have seen photos online of the new Lithium 12V batteries in model 3s and it looks like the cables that connect to the positive and negative posts are completely different so it would probably require some sort of hardware upgrade to be compatible with the new lithium batteries.
You will probably be able to buy them from Tesla eventually, but they are not plug and play into vehicles that didn't come with them. And it's not likely that Tesla will do retrofits, because other parts and harnesses will need to be replaced.
NO, they would require a very different BMS which is in the main battery pack to supply charging voltage which is very different than lead acid. I would think the BMS would need different hardware components, but maybe? they could do it with software magic?
In the parts catalog but given all the problems Ohmuu is having to keep from throwing errors, there is no way slapping in any old LI battery is going to work. Tesla BMS is expecting a lead acid resistance and voltage curve which is quite different for a Li battery.
Maybe when it is cold Tesla reduces or turns off the DC to DC converter output and draws all the low voltage from the new lithium ion "12v" battery until it warms up enough to safely charge. Ingeneerix did a teardown of the new low voltage battery from a Plaid Model S on YouTube and there was no dedicated heater on it. So the only way to warm it might be to draw energy from it.
