Road Service: Tesla Ranger + PowerWall = PowerRanger?

[NickFie]

We could have the EV version of a “gas can” with one or two PowerWalls installed in a truck, DC-to-DC connected to a SuperCharger or J1722 charge cable. That should be able to quickly add some range to a flat-battery EV.

Tesla Rangers could be promoted to Power-Rangers!

EV could then be driven to a charge point or power outlet. Less expensive, lower risk than flat-bed transport.

Mobile PowerWall could be recharged at home base, via generator or Power Take-Off from ICE engine.

(Spinning my comments on old thread into a dedicated thread with relevant title.)

 

[NickFie]

Tozz said: Connecting anything to your car using DC is tricky, as all the safety systems you have with AC charging do not apply to DC chargers. Especially with any "mobile DC charger" this would be a risk.​

You may have been picturing "jumper cables" used with 12 Volt battery. Would not want to be exposed to 100s of Volts of high-Amperage DC current.

Fortunately, nearly all EVs are equipped to accept DC charging. I was thinking about a SuperCharger or J1722 type connection. They've provided safe and reliable charging in diverse and challenging conditions around the world.

Additional DC connection benefits:

• Faster charge rate than using the car's on-board converters. Both the customer and service provider would likely prefer faster solution.
• Higher efficiency.
• Could support vehicles without on-board charger.

An aside - too close to a half-century ago I worked with a mobile recording outfit. We frequently recorded performances in Greenwich Village nightclubs. When we arrived with our truck, we would run a heavy power cable to the venue's power source to feed our mobile studio. Utility-grade 60 Hz current minimized flutter in our master tapes compared to our relatively noisy onboard generator.

That area was Edison's original DC power market, and some old buildings still used electric utility DC for systems that had never/not yet been converted to Tesla/Westinghouse AC. We were very careful to identify and verify the AC panel. We knew the risks of raw high-voltage DC to both ourselves and our equipment.

Still regret joining the mobile recording group after they had recorded for Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour, also missed Doors' live album. Though my friends shared a few interesting stories.

 

[SSonnentag]

I think a standard Tesla wall charger would be sufficient. You could hopefully get enough charge in an hour to make it to another charger.

 

[NickFie]

I think a standard Tesla wall charger would be sufficient. You could hopefully get enough charge in an hour to make it to another charger.

I was thinking of truck-mounted PowerWall(s), bringing the charge to the stranded EV.

Would leave it to Tesla to figure out best way to get the charge from the service truck's PowerWall to the EV. My first thought is still that DC will be more efficient and faster.

 

[NickFie]

Just found thisCHAdeMo generator alternative to PowerWall Rapid Charging Electric Vehicle. 20kW - 40kW.

Operator would have to carry Tesla CHAdeMo adapter since few Tesla owners buy the adapter.

They include a comparison with AC generator driving DC fast charger.

 

[ewoodrick]

Good idea, but I suspect that the last thing that Tesla wants to make easy for owners is being stupid. Hate to be blunt (and that probably means I'm going to need the service soon) but I'd rather a repair truck have a number of things, like tires, than are unforeseeable items.
I'm also not sure if Tesla uses Tesla flat-beds only, but using third party flat-beds would be another issue.