Main battery questions.

[RetiredOnPaper]

1.) Will the battery be actively heated/cooled?
2.) It is my understanding that the Slate uses pouch style cells packed in modules; 2 modules for the ~150 mile, 3 modules for the ~240 mile version. Will it be possible to "upgrade" to the longer range version if needs change?

 

[Luxrage]

I believe they said already that the packs won't be upgradable between the base Slate and the extended range. Not sure if when they answered the question if they were talking about DIYers or if the pack is that heavily integrated into the vehicle.

 

[cadblu]

I believe Slate made it clear that battery packs whether base or extended range are not a DIY situation. Once you configure a base or extended battery, that design is forever. It’s the ONLY option that can’t be changed down the road. An important consideration when you order your Slate.

There was no specific info on battery coolant, but I fully expect that coolant lines will be routed to the drive motor as well as battery cells. Liquid is much better at heat transfer than air.

 

[Benjamin Nead]

1.) Will the battery be actively heated/cooled?
2.) It is my understanding that the Slate uses pouch style cells packed in modules; 2 modules for the ~150 mile, 3 modules for the ~240 mile version. Will it be possible to "upgrade" to the longer range version if needs change?

1) Yes. Liquid cooling.

2) The entry level Slate will have a single pack at 52..7kWh for ~140 miles of range. They bolt together and electrically link an additional but smaller pack, measuring 31.6kWh, to yield the larger 84.3kWh pack option for ~240 miles of range.

There is no upgrade option if you initially commit to just the 52.7kWh pack. You can't add the 31..6kWh one to it later. Beyond electrically balancing what might be a significantly worn original pack with another newer/smaller one containing fresher batteries, they install the packs in such a way that the truck is physically balanced, front to rear.

For a variety of reasons, many are committing to the bigger 84.3kWh pack from the get go. It's actually the only option they ask of customers while the vehicle is being built. All that extra stuff - exterior wraps, bolt-on accessories, trim, etc, - are considered add-ons that either you or a third party local shop would install.

Lots more information here on the physical/electronic parameters of the SK On pouch cells Slate is using and on NMC battery chemistry in general . . .

https://www.slateforums.com/forum/t...cell-chemistry-and-charging-parameters.13186/

 

[Letas]

1) Yes. Liquid cooling.

2) The entry level Slate will have a single pack at 52..7kWh for ~140 miles of range. They bolt together and electrically link an additional but smaller pack, measuring 31.6kWh, to yield the larger 84.3kWh pack option for ~240 miles of range.

There is no upgrade option if you initially commit to just the 52.7kWh pack. You can't add the 31..6kWh one to it later. Beyond electrically balancing what might be a significantly worn original pack with another newer/smaller one containing fresher batteries, they install the packs in such a way that the truck is physically balanced, front to rear.

For a variety of reasons, many are committing to the bigger 84.3kWh pack from the get go. It's actually the only option they ask of customers while the vehicle is being built. All that extra stuff - exterior wraps, bolt-on accessories, trim, etc, - are considered add-ons that either you or a third party local shop would install.

Lots more information here on the physical/electronic parameters of the SK On pouch cells Slate is using and on NMC battery chemistry in general . . .

https://www.slateforums.com/forum/t...cell-chemistry-and-charging-parameters.13186/

Is it confirmed that the larger battery is an extra pack entirely? I would assume it would just be a separate, but larger pack with additional modules. Having two packs would be interesting, more harnesses, PCBs, etc, not to mention the charging and output changes that would come from utilizing a second pack.

 

[Whitesands]

Is it confirmed that the larger battery is an extra pack entirely? I would assume it would just be a separate, but larger pack with additional modules. Having two packs would be interesting, more harnesses, PCBs, etc, not to mention the charging and output changes that would come from utilizing a second pack.

Doing it that way would require a HV hub to manage the charge/discharge between the two. Having it in one pack means that isn't needed, saving a part and the cost/complexity of it.

 

[Benjamin Nead]

Is it confirmed that the larger battery is an extra pack entirely? I would assume it would just be a separate, but larger pack with additional modules. Having two packs would be interesting, more harnesses, PCBs, etc, not to mention the charging and output changes that would come from utilizing a second pack.

We're probably getting deep into the weeds here with the definition of what a "pack" is. I think what is probably unclear to many is that the the larger pack is, in fact, two separate boxes (one slightly smaller than the other) that both contain pouch cells and a host of supplemental electronics. How exactly the two fit together, electronically speaking, is something I don't have an exact answer for.

As to why Slate chose this "two boxes connected to each other" approach, I can also only speculate that they got a great deal from an OEM supplier that had overstock inventory for something that might have been designated for a 52.7kWh passenger car that never got built.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

We're probably getting deep into the weeds here with the definition of what a "pack" is. I think what is probably unclear to many is that the the larger pack is, in fact, two separate boxes (one slightly smaller than the other) that both contain pouch cells and a host of supplemental electronics. How exactly the two fit together, electronically speaking, is something I don't have an exact answer for.

As to why Slate chose this "two boxes connected to each other" approach, I can also only speculate that they got a great deal from an OEM supplier that had overstock inventory for something that might have been designated for a 52.7kWh passenger car that never got built.

Part of my reason for asking the question was to try to smoke out more info. Using a seperate pack for the added power keeps the build simple. As an add on it shouldn't matter WRT cell rebalancing IF the pack has it's own BMS. All that would matter would be the output voltage.

The problems I see adding it after assembly would be (liability - this would have to be a non-diy operation) removing the uni-body from the frame. Slate is actually a hybrid design of unibody on frame (AKA skateboard). I seem to remember Chrysler(?) doing something similar back in the 50s? If this is the case the "skateboard" would have to be dropped to service the pack.

This alone would make "used or junked" Slates a value item in the after market. If it becomes popular, I could see Slate only junk yards. (Similar to Corvair, DeLorean, or VW specialty yards.