Charging While Driving Works w/ Gas Generator in Bed (Range Extending for F-150 Lightning) - Testing

[ZSC100]

Martin is about ready to take the first real road trip with this system towing, so look for that in a few weeks.

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[Heliian]

Be sure to port the exhaust out of the bed. You'll be sucking fumes due to the airflow recirculation.

Another option for the poll should be:

-I don't want this, it takes up cargo capacity and defeats the purpose of having a truck.

 

[21st Century Truck]

Ummm... I'd vote for a choice of "I'd have to be convinced to do this" if such a polling choice were available. In my mind, it's akin to adding a generator to a huge battery on wheels.

Just because something can be done is not by itself a reason to do so, hence the "I'd have to be convinced...". Just my two cents...

 

[ClevelandBeemer]

So the question we all want to know. If you left at 100%, how far can you go?

 

[Jseis]

Because a hot air cooled engine in an open bed surrounded by fuel is a bang on idea.

 

[ElectrifyingMe25]

Martin is about ready to take the first real road trip with this system towing, so look for that in a few weeks.

I'm excited to watch this roll out. Make sure it's not half-baked. You never have a second chance to make a first impression.

One option for the charging receptacle in the bed may be to use the hole created by removing the knock-out port in the bed between the cab and the bed, and running a corded receptacle so the bed doesn't have to be cut. A lot of people don't want to cut a hole in the bed for something that may not live up to their expectations. Also an adapter plate could be made to accommodate a receptacle. Or, the receptacle could extend up and over and be placed in a receptacle box that attaches to the inside of the bed where the bed anchor point resides. All of these options could be removed and the truck restored to original condition. See pictures for possible receptacle mounting locations.

Also an insulated flexible pipe could be carefully routed between the cab and bed through the knock-out port.

 

[EliPNW]

I am no mathematician, but my rudimentary number indicate a potential 561 mile range at 60 MPH (2.4 M/kWh) with the extended range battery, charging at a sustained 11 kWh.
I realize there are inefficiencies in charging, head wind, acceleration and braking, that will alter actual results.
I would love to hear from somebody better at math and understanding of electricity to weigh in with their estimate.

Not that I would want to do this on a regular basis, but such an idea would help with the 400 mile trip, towing a horse trailer that I was trying to plan out last night.

 

[timtread]

The creativity and engineering on display here is impressive. I’d love to see this applied to drop in battery range extenders for the bed, using second life batteries.

 

[rockhead]

I'm still waiting to see the math. Show me that isn't wildly expensive range.

 

[MidAtlanticLightningClub]

Be sure to port the exhaust out of the bed. You'll be sucking fumes due to the airflow recirculation.

Another option for the poll should be:

-I don't want this, it takes up cargo capacity and defeats the purpose of having a truck.

How about the simple one? "I'm not interested in burning dinosaur juice"

 

[RickLightning]

I think the creativeness behind this is quite admirable. I myself would never use such a product though.

To me, clearly it's not secured in a safe manner with one strap like that. Determining the proper method to secure it, especially in an emergency stop or accident avoidance maneuver, is key, keeping in mind that the points you secure it to are only rated for a certain amount, so if you chained it to a point but that point can't take more than XXX pounds of stress, it's useless.

Someone also mentioned storing the fuel, which adds complexity and risk.

I can see the person that goes into the wilderness having applicability but would not see this as a solution for a person just wanting more range. The problem is, the yahoos that think "I need more range" when they really don't, using something like this, and not taking the proper safety precautions. Same yahoos that tow over capacity at 85mph with tires rated for 65mph.

It will be interesting as to the final solution's weight, and impact on range with it and fuel. It clearly eliminates a portion of the bed as well as the removal / opening of a tonneau cover, eliminating any secure bed storage.

Of course you could buy a Diamondback HD, and simply mount it on top....

 

[ZSC100]

I am no mathematician, but my rudimentary number indicate a potential 561 mile range at 60 MPH (2.4 M/kWh) with the extended range battery, charging at a sustained 11 kWh.
I realize there are inefficiencies in charging, head wind, acceleration and braking, that will alter actual results.
I would love to hear from somebody better at math and understanding of electricity to weigh in with their estimate.

Not that I would want to do this on a regular basis, but such an idea would help with the 400 mile trip, towing a horse trailer that I was trying to plan out last night.

So many people watching this project don't understand that range extending an EV with an ICE is an occasional needed thing by a small subset of EV owners. That's why we are designing this to use a removeable mobile generator. Because 90+ % of the time it won't be in there.

All the long range tests and towing tests will be covered in detail by Martin with end results and varying loads and speeds. There a LOT of factors, just like driving a EV that affect the outcome. It sounds like you have a decent grasp on the math and cause/effect of these factors. Wind, temperature, speed, towing load, etc. It's complex, but we're working on dashboards that help estimate.

One of us will continue to post in this forum, but Martins videos will be cross posted on multiple platforms so keep your eye out.

 

[ZSC100]

Be sure to port the exhaust out of the bed. You'll be sucking fumes due to the airflow recirculation.

Another option for the poll should be:

-I don't want this, it takes up cargo capacity and defeats the purpose of having a truck.

Most people aren't understanding that you only put the generator in and range extend your truck on special road trop occasions. EV's are the best everyday drivers we all know that. If you need to range extend more than once a month then just go get an ICE,, just my opinion.

Also, consider than people may just want to have the generator in a trailer or RV and only use it when towing.

 

[ZSC100]

How about the simple one? "I'm not interested in burning dinosaur juice"

That's a perfectly acceptable preference.

 

[ZSC100]

The creativity and engineering on display here is impressive. I’d love to see this applied to drop in battery range extenders for the bed, using second life batteries.

Thanks.

There is a guy who's planning to test our system with a commercial UPS, 40kWhr I think. Says he used them for his business and has one he can forklift in and out easily. The problem with batteries is simply: there is no standardization in the world for big battery systems. Eventually what is needed is a VERY universal DC-DC bi-directional converter with built in very flexible and easily configurable BMS. Then you could for the most part take any combination of batteries and just hook them up and used them. It's essentially what these guys are doing, but this just isn't practical for normal people and for vehicles:

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