I just listened to part of the Ludicrous mode announcement. Musk said that the new fuse was developed with a its own battery and that it would constantly monitor current at the millisecond level, and will cut power when necessary. He said the new contactor was inconel, a high temperature, space-grade alloy, instead of steel, and that it keeps things springy under the heat of heavy current. Based on what Musk said about the new fuse and contactor needed for Ludicrous mode, it sounds to me as if this combination should also improve overall reliability by reducing the incidence of catastrophic contactor failure. Does that sound right to those of you that have more technical knowledge of this stuff than I do? Assuming the above is correct, this could be an additional selling point for, say, a somewhat reluctant spouse who may value improved reliability more than increased speed.
Funny there were a couple of posts on one of the many Ludicrous threads arguing the exact opposite. The posters were not convinced that a microprocessor-controlled "e-fuse" could be more reliable than a traditional one.
I wasn't suggesting this would alleviate all of a spouse's concerns. I was merely offering one possible additional benefit to the Ludicrous upgrade, and asking if others more knowledgeable than me in these areas agree that these improvements should help with reliability. That's interesting. I was merely inferring from what Musk said that we might see fewer catastrophic contactor failures. I guess that's not a conclusion that can validly be drawn yet.
Mine failed and were replaced. The first ones "clacked" like the sound of metal on metal. My new ones sort of "thump" like the sound of wood on wood.
Yes, you're right. I was recalling another Tesla employee discussion which suggested it was for the entire kit, including batteries, inverters, BMS etc. So far anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that Connectors, Fuses and inverters are the least durable parts, assuming I read various unconnected comments accurately.
I would like to see the Inconel upgraded contactors in my 60. Not for performance (obviously can't pull any more amps out of my pack), but reliability. One less thing to worry about, can't overheat them. I have yet to receive a contactor replacement yet... still have the original ol' clickity clackity ones. I would like to have the million mile powertrain parts