Harvester Talk: Q&A

[Scoutsie]

Yes, I don't think it's practical to have more than one battery just for the Harvester.

Every pack is another design, Testing, and production drain.

They will probably have three packs to start with. The very small one in the Harvester. A midsize pack for
Entry level BEV price point, and a Max BEV Pack (for 350 mile range). They really won't want to add more.

The comment about production drain reminded me of something: at my old workplace, one of the side effects of doing things that were found to be unreasonable ended up being discovering new and better ways of doing things. I hated a lot about my job, but that was something that I loved.

 

[CarTechGeek]

The comment about production drain reminded me of something: at my old workplace, one of the side effects of doing things that were found to be unreasonable ended up being discovering new and better ways of doing things. I hated a lot about my job, but that was something that I loved.

Production inefficiencies can be found over time, but there likely isn't anything significant to learn from producing four packs over three. Not matter what efficiencies you find. Switching production between pack sizes always will incur a cost.

Plus you have to design and test another pack. Testing can be enormously costly. You may have to do additional crash testing it the packs are considered structurally significant.

One pack and Two pack (entry and max) are very common, but 3 or more are very rare.

 

[J Alynn]

Production inefficiencies can be found over time, but there likely isn't anything significant to learn from producing four packs over three. Not matter what efficiencies you find. Switching production between pack sizes always will incur a cost.

Plus you have to design and test another pack. Testing can be enormously costly. You may have to do additional crash testing it the packs are considered structurally significant.

One pack and Two pack (entry and max) are very common, but 3 or more are very rare.

Yes and no. Look at the Porsche Macan. Their engineers split the batteries into two packs which in turn improved charging speed. That’s an example of finding flaws and in turn creating a new method of battery assembly to increase the charge time. This could possibly be applied in a 3-module system where base vehicle starts with two modules each charging like the Macan. Then the upgrade battery /module gets added and treated as its own as well so again, charging time could be reduced in the third module as well. Then in turn when you need a quick charge on the last leg of a trip maybe there’s a manual control that locks down 2 of the 3 while charging so just the one charges faster to get last bit of range. Then when home you unlock all three and plug in at home.
I do believe beyond new chemistry in batteries there will be new efficiencies as well.

 

[CarTechGeek]

Yes and no. Look at the Porsche Macan. Their engineers split the batteries into two packs which in turn improved charging speed. That’s an example of finding flaws and in turn creating a new method of battery assembly to increase the charge time. This could possibly be applied in a 3-module system where base vehicle starts with two modules each charging like the Macan. Then the upgrade battery /module gets added and treated as its own as well so again, charging time could be reduced in the third module as well. Then in turn when you need a quick charge on the last leg of a trip maybe there’s a manual control that locks down 2 of the 3 while charging so just the one charges faster to get last bit of range. Then when home you unlock all three and plug in at home.
I do believe beyond new chemistry in batteries there will be new efficiencies as well.

Not sure what your point is here. There are several examples of companies splitting the pack in two in some charging scenarios.

That's essentially just a common sense optimization which has nothing to do with offering additional pack capacities.

 

[LastDayScout]

Not sure what your point is here. There are several examples of companies splitting the pack in two in some charging scenarios.

That's essentially just a common sense optimization which has nothing to do with offering additional pack capacities.

But, it does help with charging efficiency.

 

[CarTechGeek]

But, it does help with charging efficiency.

??? which has what to do with current topic?

I think every 800 V pack splits into two 400V packs on lower voltage charges. It's essentially just what you do. Not even particularly noteworthy.

And again, nothing to do with having multiple packs sizes for your vehicle.

 

[J Alynn]

I’ve come to realize Cartechgeek knows way more than I do so I won’t make comments on his posts anymore. That said, ideas outside of the experts opinions are often what creates a paradigm shift in the ways technologies and operations work. Always amazed that the bottom tier employees so often get looked down on even though their daily experiences provide them with a huge wealth of knowledge that top level people overlook everyday.
Efficiency is efficiency be it battery chemistry, packaging, operational management or even vehicle location.
I’m out on this topic!

 

[LastDayScout]

??? which has what to do with current topic?

I think every 800 V pack splits into two 400V packs on lower voltage charges. It's essentially just what you do. Not even particularly noteworthy.

And again, nothing to do with having multiple packs sizes for your vehicle.

All I can say you will find out at some point.

 

[LastDayScout]

I’ve come to realize Cartechgeek knows way more than I do so I won’t make comments on his posts anymore. That said, ideas outside of the experts opinions are often what creates a paradigm shift in the ways technologies and operations work. Always amazed that the bottom tier employees so often get looked down on even though their daily experiences provide them with a huge wealth of knowledge that top level people overlook everyday.
Efficiency is efficiency be it battery chemistry, packaging, operational management or even vehicle location.
I’m out on this topic!

I bet it’s lonely at the top of the mountain.

 

[CarTechGeek]

All I can say you will find out at some point.

You have insider info?

 

[LastDayScout]

You have insider info?

 

[J Alynn]

Without stepping back into this pond I will say there were a handful of us at the reveal in person!!!!! What happens in Vegas Franklin….

 

[eddiet1212]

Without stepping back into this pond I will say there were a handful of us at the reveal in person!!!!! What happens in Vegas Franklin….

Lol

 

[PhotonMaverick]

Why not power the generator with eco-diesel to maximize range and efficiency? Also, I’m hoping the harvester can run when the vehicle is unattended to recharge the batteries while setting up camp, hiking, or grabbing food. Could the generator run while simultaneously charging to accelerate getting to full charge…especially where superchargers are not available?

 

[Chuckles]

I can't see diesel being used. Most car buyers don't want to deal with it. It's more expensive than gas, needs DEF fluid or particulate filters, not available everywhere. If Scout sources the engine from VW then Dieselgate enters the equation. All the other technical questions you asked are still unknown. We're all anxiously waiting to see how the Harvester system works.

 

[J Alynn]

Why not power the generator with eco-diesel to maximize range and efficiency? Also, I’m hoping the harvester can run when the vehicle is unattended to recharge the batteries while setting up camp, hiking, or grabbing food. Could the generator run while simultaneously charging to accelerate getting to full charge…especially where superchargers are not available?

It’s NOT gonna be diesel. It’s been stated. It’s a connection to diesel-gate that nobody from SM or VW wants to deal with

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I can't see diesel being used. Most car buyers don't want to deal with it. It's more expensive than gas, needs DEF fluid or particulate filters, not available everywhere. If Scout sources the engine from VW then Dieselgate enters the equation. All the other technical questions you asked are still unknown. We're all anxiously waiting to see how the Harvester system works.

I spend all day at work around diesel motors, and the last thing I want in a personal vehicle is a diesel. DEF, Filters, EGR Coolers, DEF tanks freezing or breaking, the list goes on. A diesel engine back in 2004 before all the mandates was great. These new diesels are a mess for day to day commuting. Unless you tow heavy, a diesel engine is a bad investment these days.

 

[twoods6711]

So you want to buy an EV to just continually run it on gas??? Is that what you meant?

No that is what is being said. We are interested in the EV with an onboard generator engine so we don’t have to sit at a charging station for 40 minutes or try to find one in the middle of nowhere. This is why nearly 60% of the people say they reserved the Harvester and why RAM has announced delaying the all electric trunk because they had so many reservations for the RAMCharger. Not many people want an electric vehicle that they have to stop every 300 miles to charge.

 

[BD1]

If I am going on a long cross country trip with Harvester can the generator keep the battery charged at a certain level (e.g. 50%) where you only need to stop to fill up gas like an ICE car? This might be a dumb questions but just getting up to speed here and wonder if there are any limitations with the hybrid version planned. Specifically can it keep it charged without extra time waiting to charge other than stopping to fill up on gas?

 

[Logan]

If I am going on a long cross country trip with Harvester can the generator keep the battery charged at a certain level (e.g. 50%) where you only need to stop to fill up gas like an ICE car? This might be a dumb questions but just getting up to speed here and wonder if there are any limitations with the hybrid version planned. Specifically can it keep it charged without extra time waiting to charge other than stopping to fill up on gas?

This is currently unknown, and likely the most speculated/desired information that we do not know about the scouts right now.

Seems like half of the people are thinking it will be "gas and go" like you're wanting (I'm also in that camp), while the other half is expecting a smaller generator, that "slowly depletes" the range, and then you recharge and refuel at the same time.

But the end of the story is, we just don't know.

And we're excited to hear .