Whats the largest Power Inverter you can use in a Tesla?

[BerTX]

I wonder how does Tesla define 'stationary power source'.

There are many ways that power can be drawn from a Tesla car. Some examples are:
1. Charging your mobile phone using the USB socket.
2. Connecting a USB charger using a cigarette lighter socket to USB adapter.
3. Connecting a power inverter (150W or less) to the cigarette lighter socket.
4. Connecting a inverter to draw power directly from the 12V battery.
5. Drawing power direct from the main battery.

They get to define what it means. If you don't agree, then you get to go to court. Is the hassle worth the gain?

 

[FlatSix911]

They get to define what it means. If you don't agree, then you get to go to court. Is the hassle worth the gain?

Sounds like FUD to me ...
Lots of helpful information found here:
Is it safe to connect a large inverter to the 12V battery?

 

[BerTX]

Sounds like FUD to me ...
Lots of helpful information found here:
Is it safe to connect a large inverter to the 12V battery?

I don't see how a direct quote from the text of the Tesla warranty has any uncertainty to it.

This isn't a 1985 Buick, it is a car with constant telemetry of exactly what the systems are doing at all times. If you think they can't show hours of 2kW load on the DC/DC converter and associate that to running an inverter in a way which voids the warranty on that part, you are mistaken.

 

[abasile]

I've been thinking it would be nice to have a 2000W inverter for car camping trips. Rather than cooking with propane or some other fossil fuel, it would be nice to use a portable induction cooktop (we love our super efficient induction range at home). Something like https://www.amazon.com/Secura-9100MC-Portable-Induction-Countertop/dp/B00GMCAM2G/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1531284337&sr=1-3&keywords=inductive+cooktop&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin:3408313011

If staying at campsites with electrical hookups, then obviously no inverter is needed. But we find that we most enjoy camping inside national parks (Yosemite, Zion, Joshua Tree, etc., etc.) and most sites have no hookups. Even if we were to run an induction cooktop on a high setting for a full hour, it would only use the battery equivalent of 5-10 miles' worth of range. Granted, this energy would be sourced primarily from Superchargers while traveling, but it would be for very limited use only. I'd love to be able to quit carrying propane around!

Also, cooking over a campfire is another way to avoid using propane, but we prefer to use campfires only sparingly. Besides, it's hard to beat the convenience of inductive cooking.

 

[Toasty]

IMG_20170813_111245

• green1
• Aug 13, 2017

Inverter outlet in centre console

IMG_20170813_111312

• green1
• Aug 13, 2017

Inverter outlet in frunk

I didn't take pictures of the post behind the fender though (sorry)

how did you cut the hole?

 

[gt2690b]

I'd like to tap the HV battery for emergency home backup since I'm on well water when I lose power I lose water.. that well pump takes about a 3000w pure sine inverter and that seems to be passing the limits of the dc-dc converter... It'd be really cool if Tesla made a direct plug from the charger and had a charge/rectify option and backfeed through the umc to my 14-50 connection..

9.6kW home backup power?? Yes please

 

[N..8]

I'd like to tap the HV battery for emergency home backup since I'm on well water when I lose power I lose water.. that well pump takes about a 3000w pure sine inverter and that seems to be passing the limits of the dc-dc converter... It'd be really cool if Tesla made a direct plug from the charger and had a charge/rectify option and backfeed through the umc to my 14-50 connection..

9.6kW home backup power?? Yes please

GT,

You would have to trigger the HVJB to close the Fast Charge contactors...Applying a 12v power source to the contactors would do this. You would have to find the wires going into the HVJB and connect a switch with a 12 power source. This would bypass all the software requirements. Then you could pull 350/400 volts from the plug. Not really a viable thing to do and not the safest thing either I would like to see Tesla make a buddy charge cable to tie two cars together but you would have to regulate how much current is flowing between the two battery packs.

 

[gt2690b]

GT,

You would have to trigger the HVJB to close the Fast Charge contactors...Applying a 12v power source to the contactors would do this. You would have to find the wires going into the HVJB and connect a switch with a 12 power source. This would bypass all the software requirements. Then you could pull 350/400 volts from the plug. Not really a viable thing to do and not the safest thing either I would like to see Tesla make a buddy charge cable to tie two cars together but you would have to regulate how much current is flowing between the two battery packs.

could be a cool project.. the more i look at parts (inverter with 500VDC input.. like a solis 2G-US).. the money would be better spent actually using an inverter like this on a regular basis.. wouldnt take much more to throw some solar panels on my roof..i could probably run the pump straight off the inverter with solar.. it only needs to run a few minutes before the ballast tank is good for a day.. could still have an alternate feed through the inverter from the car in this above configuration for night and other loads but probably an unnecessary risk

 

[TheCharlesChen]

Have you guys thought about adding a lead acid battery in the trunk well or in the frunk in parallel with the Tesla 12V battery in order to add additional buffer?

 

[gt2690b]

Have you guys thought about adding a lead acid battery in the trunk well or in the frunk in parallel with the Tesla 12V battery in order to add additional buffer?

this may screw up the DC-DC charger algorithm but who knows

 

[murphyS90D]

Don't put it in the trunk. That would put hydrogen gas in the cabin with you.

 

[Xenoilphobe]

Get a lithium battery instead. Several owners who have high end sound systems added have already done this

 

[n2mb_racing]

Have you guys thought about adding a lead acid battery in the trunk well or in the frunk in parallel with the Tesla 12V battery in order to add additional buffer?

I don't think it is needed. Check the CCA specs for the OEM battery. I think it is large enough for peak loads of a few kW for starting motors, etc. For continuous draw, you are limited by the DC/DC converter, which probably means using an inverter of 1500W or less.

 

[Xenoilphobe]

CCA (cold cranking amps) on the Lithium Battery is 210 amps and continuous load is 60 amps, also the HV DC to LV DC converter is over 200 amps, so with a little head room on your inverter 3000 Watts is a safe threshold for surges... and sustained 1500 watts shouldn't be a problem.. now if we could tap into the high voltage side, it would be no problem supporting a full load like a home....

 

[mudfud]

I installed a 1100 watt inverter in the frunk. 150 amp fuse. Hooked to lead acid battery posts.

Hoping to gently run my inductive cook top for camping. Maybe AC on low in my camper pod in the summer.

 

[FlatSix911]

I installed a 1100 watt inverter in the frunk. 150 amp fuse. Hooked to lead acid battery posts.

Hoping to gently run my inductive cook top for camping. Maybe AC on low in my camper pod in the summer.

Well done... any additional details and photos of your installation?

 

[mudfud]

I took lots of pix but didn’t want to take too much space. The frunk removal is easy but tedious. I added a filter into the empty holder. Cut a hole in the frunk bucket and made a slit in the carpet liner. Fun project.

 

[Upgrade00]

So the Tesla battery charges the 12v battery while it is on? I just want to make sure before getting a 2000 watt inverter. I do not want the battery to die and be stranded in the mountains. Thanks

 

[Chaserr]

Correct, 12V is topped off from the HV.

 

[pdxrajiv]

Let us know how it works.
I presume you will experiment with this at home, so any unpleasant surprises are easier to deal with.