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Semi takes its first business trip

Discussion in 'Semi' started by domenick, Mar 7, 2018.

  1. Big Earl

    Big Earl bnkwupt

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    It isn't worth the expense. Most semis will never pull the same trailer more than a handful of times, so it would require adding regenerative braking to all trailers in order to really be effective. The system would also be useless when those trailers are getting pulled by diesel trucks, which means extra dead weight that eats into your cargo carrying capacity. Finally, most trailers just sit around for extended periods of time when being loaded and unloaded, which isn't a good use of the regenerative braking equipment.

    Regenerative braking will be at least as powerful as current diesel engine braking, so I'm just not seeing a cost benefit to making the trailers more complex.
     
    • Like x 2
  2. wipster

    wipster Gold Member

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    For independents I agree with you, but for organizations such as Walmart or FedEx, where the whole fleet could be converted, and you're running point to point, I think it would definitely be worthwhile. And some solar panels would be nice as well.
     
  3. mongo

    mongo Well-Known Member

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    For a diesel tractor it helps, but I'm not seeing an ROI for electric. The times the trailer regen helps are rare. The only thing you are saving is brake pads (quick search shows <$1,000 to replace and >100k mile life). The number of trailers is greater than the number of tractors (utilization factor). Regen units add incremental maintenance cost on top of purchase price.
     
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  4. wipster

    wipster Gold Member

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    Well I'm certainly not going to argue with Mongo and Big Earl... LOL! I'll leave it up to the people that use them. Regardless, I love the whole concept and can't wait to see one on a Washington State interstate!
     
    • Funny x 1
  5. mongo

    mongo Well-Known Member

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    No, please please discuss (argue if you must), I'm often wrong.:)
     
  6. wipster

    wipster Gold Member

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    Oh, Mongo like candy...
     
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  7. mongo

    mongo Well-Known Member

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    Bingo :D
     
  8. wipster

    wipster Gold Member

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    Wipster just pawn, in game of life...
     
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  9. e-FTW

    e-FTW New electron smell

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    But, but... this is the Internet! You are supposed to get angrier with each post! :)
    I love this community: it is low on drama.

    I cannot wait until electric drive makes its way to most trucks, if only for the noise reduction.
     
    • Like x 3
  10. wipster

    wipster Gold Member

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  11. mongo

    mongo Well-Known Member

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    Most of the time when that happens to me, I reread the thread and realize we are not talking about the same thing. Often I misread or misquoted.
    Good peeps to hash things out with.
    Using the conversation (direct message) feature is handy for off-thread meeting of the minds/ addressing typos/units.
     
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  12. Gerasimental

    Gerasimental Member

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    Ummm, you ever visit the Model X and Model 3 forums in the run-up to each respective vehicle's increasingly delayed roll-out? Not sure 'low on drama' would be how I'd describe it :D
     
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    • Funny x 1
  13. Marconi

    Marconi Member

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    The safe part (don’t drive and video grip) can be a thing of the past. Now you can install all kind of video cameras in your vehicle for around USD 150.00 (medium price range) and take all the experience in a safe manner.

    Also, with some twist of the settings, some cameras will allow streaming "live" and with a good Wi-Fi service, the whole action can be transmitted live with Facebook or many other platforms available today.

    Good hunting fellas!
     
  14. HAL8950

    HAL8950 Member

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    Tesla Semi spotted near St Louis MO, at St Charles Supercharger by @realKyleFeller
     

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  15. Blup85

    Blup85 Member

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    #115 Blup85, Mar 13, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2018
    Same plates from rockland... holy cow
    Maybe they are demoing for possible clients?
     

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    • Like x 1
  16. S'toon

    S'toon Knows where his towel is

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  17. scaesare

    scaesare Well-Known Member

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    I am honestly surprised pics of these things on the highway aren't showing up everywhere... assuming that it drove that 2,000 miles and wasn't on a trailer under a tarp.

    So... assuming it DID drive... what do you suppose the unloaded range is? We know it's a "300" mile truck. Does it do 2X that unloaded? 3X?

    Let's say it can do 2.5X (750 miles) sans trailer... that's only 2 supercharging stops... but long ones...probably 4-6 hours?
     
  18. mongo

    mongo Well-Known Member

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    My calcs said power usage was half areo half rolling. If tractor section is 20k, then 8/5*300 = 480 mile range.
     
    • Informative x 1
  19. scaesare

    scaesare Well-Known Member

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    OK, substantially less then...under 2X

    Although the frontal profile remains the same, I assume there's some non-inconsequential drag associated with the trailer as well. Any thoughts on to what that factor might be?

    If it's a 500 mile range unloaded, then that's likely 4 supercharging stops en-route... although if I uses Tesla's trip planner and select a 75KW car w/ roughly half that range leaving from the GF, it suggests 16 stops... so maybe more like 6-8 for the Semi?:
    semiroute.png
     
  20. mongo

    mongo Well-Known Member

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    My original aero calcs were only based on tractor frontal. No idea what the trailer factor is.:oops:
     

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