A Tesla Mannequin Y proprietor has created what’s arguably probably the most helpful DIY equipment ever designed for a mainstream electrical automotive. Utilizing some intelligent DIY methods and standard photo voltaic panels, the Mannequin Y proprietor was in a position to design a system that permits his all-electric crossover to cost from the solar whereas it’s parked exterior.
In a put up on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit, the Mannequin Y proprietor shared that his DIY Tesla photo voltaic array charger has been underneath growth for the previous two years. Right this moment, it’s in proof of idea type, however it’s already offering his car with 20-60 miles of cost per day relying on its configuration. That’s a considerable quantity of cost for a car that’s simply parked underneath the solar.
The Mannequin Y proprietor famous that his exams with the product have been finished in Los Angeles, the place the solar is in abundance. Exams of the system have solely been restricted to 5 hours of charging to account for dangerous climate throughout winter. To this point, the outcomes of the exams have been encouraging, with the Mannequin Y gaining 20 miles with the system’s 2,000 watt mannequin by AC charging and 60 miles with the system’s 4,000 watt mannequin by DC charging.
This Tesla Mannequin Y Efficiency proprietor created a folding photo voltaic array able to charging 20-60mi per day through a 2000W-4000W system.
Fairly cool.
Created by Reddit consumer: somid3 pic.twitter.com/a58JktCPZa
— Nic Cruz Patane (@niccruzpatane) January 12, 2024
The Mannequin Y proprietor’s present setup makes use of telescoping carbon fiber tubes to deploy and retract the photo voltaic panels. This enables the total setup to keep away from exceeding the Mannequin Y’s most roof weight capability of 165 lbs. The photo voltaic charger can be designed to be as non-intrusive as potential, as even with its photo voltaic panels absolutely prolonged, your complete setup nonetheless matches inside one parking house.
The system’s present prototype, Beta 1, stands 11 inches tall and is made from wooden and carbon fiber tubes, however a Beta 2 model made totally of carbon fiber and measuring simply 6 inches in top is within the works. The Mannequin Y proprietor has an internet site for his venture, DartSolar.com, the place he posts updates on the photo voltaic charger’s growth. The Mannequin Y proprietor additionally famous that he’s seeking to hit a value of about $1 per watt, which ought to make the increasing photo voltaic charger cheap.
The reception to the Mannequin Y proprietor’s photo voltaic charger has been fairly optimistic, with members of the r/TeslaLounge subreddit appreciating its advantages and its slightly simple method to solar-powered electrical car charging. Different EV homeowners additional noticed that the photo voltaic array most likely helps preserve the cabin cool as effectively, additional preserving the car’s battery cost.
Watch the Mannequin Y proprietor’s video concerning the solar-powered EV charging system under.
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