Winter Range Extender - would you do this?

[hturnerfamily]

also, as 'sales' goes, most information about products are alluding to the 'best case' scenario, which is hardly likely to ever happen...

for instance, if you calculations render that you might achieve 20 extra miles, which might make the buying decision a snap, you might actually only ever get an additional 9 miles, for the times when you 'really' need that extra range, in very few scenarios, making the 'cost' wildly higher for the little benefit.
While, like the EPA, the stated outcomes might be based on data from FLAT ROADs, with NO WIND, and at AVERAGE Speeds, you're likely NOT to have those elements at the very moment you need this 'extra' range.

Sponsored

 

[JMD359]

Biggest issue is it would only be a battery warmer on. Lightning , as
it has no heater core . You’d have to install an aftermarket one w fan somewhere in the cab . Then you’d have to pipe it into your existing ducts to get a real defrost system. Just seems like to much money, work and modding for the outcome

 

[Heliian]

Biggest issue is it would only be a battery warmer on. Lightning , as
it has no heater core . You’d have to install an aftermarket one w fan somewhere in the cab . Then you’d have to pipe it into your existing ducts to get a real defrost system. Just seems like to much money, work and modding for the outcome

 

[Ragman]

Biggest issue is it would only be a battery warmer on. Lightning , as
it has no heater core . You’d have to install an aftermarket one w fan somewhere in the cab . Then you’d have to pipe it into your existing ducts to get a real defrost system. Just seems like to much money, work and modding for the outcome

Way simpler then this, install is almost identical to how the existing resistive heater is so no mods other then splicing the return line - similar to how the max tow adds a second cooler - or they added the heat pump to 2024s. This is a simple second heat source on the same circuit just gas fired.

It basically "heats" the return water to "72" so the resistive heater doesn't operate. Usually a Flow through design that heats fluid passively as factory system circulates fluid.

The tech geek in me says wire controls to the existing resistive - cabin air calls for heat fire the gas heater however when the in loop sensors measure the water temp into the resistive it's "hot already" so the resistive scales back however the cabin temp keeps pump working. Essentially identical controls to "arctic" heat pumps that have resistive coils when the heat pump is no longer capable of operating.

I'd much prefer this as a factory "arctic" package - hint hint @fordmotorcompany - like the Maverick being a "Hybrid" with only a 1.5 kw battery... A Lightning Hybrid with a 5 liter gas tank.

 

[pbd05]

I've been thinking about this, inspired by the original post a few years back. My main holdback is having to either remove the system, or have to deal with the questions from Ford in case of a warranty issue. The other thing is getting the controls right, where my wife could use it without having to provide the system a whole bunch of input.

 

[Dukhudo]

I’ve been thinking about this as well, living in Canada, my efficiency was terrible in this winter with 35% of trips going towards cabin climate. So I think this would help a lot.

Also reached out to the guy that did this, he says it’s working great with no problems. He got a 2 year/2,000 hour warranty.

 

[Firn]

The thing to remember is that a significant part of range loss in the winter is the increased air density, not necessarily the battery and cabin heating.

The resistive heater in the lightning uses up to 8kw of energy, and in 20 degree (F) weather here was averaging around 3.5kw. So at 70mph you are using 35kw for motion, and 3.5kw for heating. Which is pretty close to the numbers you posted. 10 miles gained for every 100 traveled.

There will be a gain in range but it hardly solves the problem. Unless you are on the ragged edge of range dropping a few thousand seems excessive to save 10 minutes and $20, if you are NOT on the ragged edge you saved nothing.

I’ve been thinking about this as well, living in Canada, my efficiency was terrible in this winter with 35% of trips going towards cabin climate. So I think this would help a lot.

Also reached out to the guy that did this, he says it’s working great with no problems. He got a 2 year/2,000 hour warranty.

Do you absolutely need the range? Preconditioning off electrical, or just hitting a fast charger, will be far more economical.

 

[Dukhudo]

Try -25-30f and my heater was using 7-8kw. Like I said 35% went to cabin.

My use case probably doesn’t apply to lots of people, but it can make the case for me.

 

[22legit2quit]

Try -25-30f and my heater was using 7-8kw. Like I said 35% went to cabin.

My use case probably doesn’t apply to lots of people, but it can make the case for me.

I would’ve built a small camp fire if that was a sustained temperature I had to deal with lol. I said it earlier on in the thread, the heated motorcycle riding gear doesn’t do too bad if you don’t mind being ridiculous. Which I didn’t. We’re talking about what seems to be one end of the spectrum, where I live will be the opposite but I get the frustration. Sustained subzero temperatures would be difficult for most vehicles to keep operating temperature, the only advantage we have is the minimal connections to the outside of the vehicle which should mean less places for cold air to enter. The convection type effect of the that arctic air is a major problem, so I’d look more into insulation than heat for something that won’t break the bank and might actually work. Hope you find a sustainable solution with a decent ROI.

 

[Firn]

Try -25-30f and my heater was using 7-8kw. Like I said 35% went to cabin.

My use case probably doesn’t apply to lots of people, but it can make the case for me.

All I'm saying is there is a narrow window where this makes a difference. Long distance driving, or right on the edge of getting home without charging is one thing.

For most though if you were going to make it home anyways 35% or 2% are irrelevant numbers, you use a few more KWH to recharge but thats it. Alternately, if you needed to hit a charger anyways this doesn't change anything other than a few more minutes at the charger.



2legit mentions insulation. Frankly, that might be a better bet. Insulating the cabin and the battery might make a big difference.

 

[Dukhudo]

All I'm saying is there is a narrow window where this makes a difference. Long distance driving, or right on the edge of getting home without charging is one thing.

For most though if you were going to make it home anyways 35% or 2% are irrelevant numbers, you use a few more KWH to recharge but thats it. Alternately, if you needed to hit a charger anyways this doesn't change anything other than a few more minutes at the charger.

Added time and that fast chargers would cost more than the fuel it would take. road tripping is already harder with EV’s, so adding an extra 75-100km between charges would be great.

I agree with the home charging and that what I did this year, but also limited the longer trips due to the range.

edit: forgot to mention. It’s roughly 1/4 gallon to run those heaters for an hour.

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

how much difference does the heat-pump Ford added make compared to the Lightning before the HP equipment?
I got the truck in Feb, so had some damn cold weather, but not a lot since it warmed up early this year. I recall watching the power management display on a cold day - it showed 75% for moving the truck down the road, 5% for accessories, 10% for cabin and I think 10% was for 'environmental' conditions - which I assume is the battery and motors. So 25% for non-motive stuff.

It made me wonder about putting the Bluetti in the cab and plug in a ceramic heater ...LOL.

 

[22legit2quit]

Whenever this switches to hot or warmer weather I’ll be watching a little more intently. More because that is what I will be dealing with on a regular basis.

Spoiler alert, so far rolling at 65-70 on the highway with any window(s) down or cracked is far worse for range than running the ac at full blast. This has been between 75-85 degrees F, and anywhere from 45-65 % humidity. Haven’t tried in town too much.

 

[Firn]

Added time and that fast chargers would cost more than the fuel it would take. road tripping is already harder with EV’s, so adding an extra 75-100km between charges would be great.

I agree with the home charging and that what I did this year, but also limited the longer trips due to the range.

edit: forgot to mention. It’s roughly 1/4 gallon to run those heaters for an hour.

It's not just the cost of fuel, it's the cost of the equipment itself.

So 1/4 of a gallon per hour, that's what, $1. In electricity rates here the truck heater would cost $1.25 at home, $4 at a DCFC

So you save $.25, maybe $3, but spent what, $3000-$4000 to do so?

Yes, I get road tripping, which is why i mention it. But remember, you are adding maybe ONE or TWO extra stops on a long trip. Frankly, if you regularly run long distance an EV is not a wise choice. If you run long trips say half a dozen times a year, well a few thousand is a big bill to save a charging stop or two six times a year.

Again, I'm not saying there isn't A use case, I'm saying that it is a pretty narrow use case.

Sponsored