[Pdr1966]

Just joined, I am in Toronto and received notification last week that I have a VIN and build date for May 22'

I am also in the business of electrical manufacturing and product development, so if anyone has ideas of companion products to develop I would like to dicsuss.

 

[GDN]

You may be one of the first Canadian trucks with a build date. Congrats.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Just joined, I am in Toronto and received notification last week that I have a VIN and build date for May 22'

I am also in the business of electrical manufacturing and product development, so if anyone has ideas of companion products to develop I would like to dicsuss.

Lots of people have asked about tonneau covers with built-in solar to charge the truck. The only similar product I’ve seen on the market uses a tonneau made of solar panels to charge in-bed batteries. Maybe someone needs to produce a folding tonneau made of solar panels with a detachable J-1772 cord to plug into the truck’s charging port.

 

[Leaf to Lightning : )]

if you had as much as a 600w solar array on the bed, you might get about 12 1/2 amps of 240v recharge, over 5 hours in the direct sunlight - that's a miniscule amount for any real mileage that would come from the expensive investment, if it's possible without additional batteries and an inverter to go along with it - direct charging thru a J1772 or directly to the truck's battery is not feasible, at least not without the additional battery bank, and/or inverter, and/or microinverters - though I do see more options with the microinverter route since some panels now have the microinverter already attached to the back of each panel for direct 120v output(LG, for instance), though you'd really want 240v power output, which is a larger unit requiring more input, etc.

 

[Pdr1966]

leaf to L.... - you are absolutely correct the amount of energy from that would be insignificant.
I'm thinking a cord to plug in the car beside you at Costco might be helpful

 

[ChasingCoral]

if you had as much as a 600w solar array on the bed, you might get about 12 1/2 amps of 240v recharge, over 5 hours in the direct sunlight - that's a miniscule amount for any real mileage that would come from the expensive investment, if it's possible without additional batteries and an inverter to go along with it - direct charging thru a J1772 or directly to the truck's battery is not feasible, at least not without the additional battery bank, and/or inverter, and/or microinverters - though I do see more options with the microinverter route since some panels now have the microinverter already attached to the back of each panel for direct 120v output(LG, for instance), though you'd really want 240v power output, which is a larger unit requiring more input, etc.

It definitely would not provide significant range extension for the truck. Most folks I’ve heard that were serious about it wasn’t to use that as a way to extend power to travel trailers, work sites, or other loads.

 

[Firsttimeford]

What wave did you place your order in? Date of order?

 

[jamesklafehn]

I built a range extending camper for my Tesla Model X I set an unofficial world record for range with it. I plan on doing the same with the Lightning. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMPs5qUmnoTMz2WclNdQCdVMRR9UJ10a

 

[ChasingCoral]

I built a range extending camper for my Tesla Model X I set an unofficial world record for range with it. I plan on doing the same with the Lightning. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMPs5qUmnoTMz2WclNdQCdVMRR9UJ10a

Cool!

 

[Phil.blog]

What wave did you place your order in? Date of order?

☝ this

 

[Pdr1966]

My lariat delivered to dealer Friday likely picking up Tuesday this week.

 

[MOEV]

Did you pick up the Lightning yet?

if so - impressions?

 

[Pdr1966]

Yes, at about 2500kms
What’s not to like!
IRS is fantastic and really smooths things out especially on dirt roads.
Have my 30amp circuit at the cottage and just received charge station pro which I will be installing at home.
I am showing range at just under 500, but that is based on my accumulated driving efficiency which could be improved.
I am enjoying it every day!