Will Slate Make Their Battery ‘Easily’ Replacable?

[Letas]

I don't even know if that kind of setup would be advisable, because 2 jacks still would be a narrow area to balance on, and the pack is wide.

All this is assuming someone does do the real research on how to handle the high voltage, actual training videos at least, and not just youtube videos meant for views.

“Advisable” is just a reflection of one’s risk tolerances… many would say swapping a pack under any circumstances isn’t advisable!

Jokes aside, the setup @AZFox shared is objectively much better. Truthfully, the HV concerns are really not bad. Assuming proper access to the top of the pack, it wouldn’t be any “riskier” than plugging in your washer.

Once the pack drops though, that’s when the fun starts! You’ve got a 1000lb paperweight- what are you going to do with it? Use it in a personal BESS setup? Sell it to a recycler? Bury it in the backyard? Ship it to a buddy?
The packaging requirements alone are nauseating for LiIon batteries… I won’t dive into them here but 49 CFR is a great reading when you want to put yourself to sleep some day

 

[phidauex]

Yeah, I've seen 1500lb and 2000lb versions that aren't crazy expensive. That $11k table has adjustments built in to make the fine tweeks to make lining up a battery easier, but to do it once or twice a sub$1k table would be fine.

Oh sure, I'm not suggesting that an individual buy an $11k table to do the job one time, I just wanted to share how the shops do it. I do think a smaller table or the quick jack would work fine, but it is a pretty high value component with some delicate dangly bits that you REALLY don't want to drop, and it weighs a lot more than a transmission or engine.

Honestly most people will never be able to or want to swap their own battery, and I'm sure that those who do will also have a pretty robust home shop setup.

Here is another suggestion - roll the truck upside down, and lift the battery out with a chain hoist.

 

[phidauex]

“Advisable” is just a reflection of one’s risk tolerances… many would say swapping a pack under any circumstances isn’t advisable!

Jokes aside, the setup @AZFox shared is objectively much better. Truthfully, the HV concerns are really not bad. Assuming proper access to the top of the pack, it wouldn’t be any “riskier” than plugging in your washer.

Once the pack drops though, that’s when the fun starts! You’ve got a 1000lb paperweight- what are you going to do with it? Use it in a personal BESS setup? Sell it to a recycler? Bury it in the backyard? Ship it to a buddy?
The packaging requirements alone are nauseating for LiIon batteries… I won’t dive into them here but 49 CFR is a great reading when you want to put yourself to sleep some day

I'd imagine that, in a world where "home" battery swaps are possible, you'd probably be working with a battery rebuilder who would ship you a new or remanufactured battery by LTL freight. You'd be expected to have a forklift or very big pallet jack to transport it inside your shop. Then after your swap, you'd repallet the old battery and prepare it for shipment (drain completely), and the same company would arrange pickup, since there would be specialized requirements for transporting a used battery, and then after they get it back you'd get reimbursed for your core charge.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

Here is another suggestion - roll the truck upside down, and lift the battery out with a chain hoist.

Lower truck onto pallet, unbolt battery, lift truck with a few engine hoists. Problem solved, haha.

But really, it's not an easy driveway job, even if it is doable.

I'll be pulling the battery out of my Spark soon, but I have a lift in my garage and the spark's battery is only like 700lbs

 

[Letas]

I'd imagine that, in a world where "home" battery swaps are possible, you'd probably be working with a battery rebuilder who would ship you a new or remanufactured battery by LTL freight. You'd be expected to have a forklift or very big pallet jack to transport it inside your shop. Then after your swap, you'd repallet the old battery and prepare it for shipment (drain completely), and the same company would arrange pickup, since there would be specialized requirements for transporting a used battery, and then after they get it back you'd get reimbursed for your core charge.

Yep, this is pretty much how it works now, although primarily with dealers instead of home swaps.
The packaging requirements are rough. Hard-sided container, fire blankets, labeling, etc. It basically requires a forklift and rigging to an extent. Maybe you could figure out a way to do it with a pallet jack and engine hoist, but it would not be easy...
Also interested to see what the going "rate" for used batteries will land at. More and more consumers are tinkering with their batteries and want to be able to sell them back, I wonder how much $$$ they will be worth.

 

[sodamo]

Interesting and somewhat fun discussion, but in all honesty how many would be doing a battery swap at home? I suspect less percentage than those that swap an engine. Most likely option to me would be some sort of battery shop. Drive in, they make the swap. It’s been about 60 years (my 1960 VW) since I last pulled an engine, don’t see that in immediate future either.

 

[sodamo]

There's definitely cheaper lift table options, haha.

I have one very similar, very very handy.

 

[cadblu]

I have one very similar, very very handy.

Nice! This lift cart will also be useful to maneuver the seats and cargo roof kit when it comes time to assemble in your driveway. As a DIY, there isn't always a second helper around. At least that's how it will go down in my workshop.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

it’s definitely doable this why I like these discussions give people hope and ideas. My recommendation 4 6-ton harbor fright jacks the one with the actual block key 2 3-ton jacks and a 4x4 or of your spendy 4x6 wood frame maybe 4 3-ton jacks for just the battery not the truck 6-tons are to get the truck high enough. One everything is unscrewed and the battery is fully disconnected jack up your frame and start removing your jacks then slowly lower both jacks the pull the old battery out. You could put it on some pallets with a little elbow grease or a friend paid in beer. The reverse the process with the new battery

 

[sodamo]

Nice! This lift cart will also be useful to maneuver the seats and cargo roof kit when it comes time to assemble in your driveway. As a DIY, there isn't always a second helper around. At least that's how it will go down in my workshop.

A few years back, had to replace a wall mounted TV, built a rack to sit on top. Worked perfectly. Another time, friend had to mount 300 lb offgrid batteries on his wall.

 

[AZFox]

Just asking, but then how do you get the old battery off that jack, and put the upgrade battery on the jack at the precise orientation and then slide it back under the Slate (or roll the Slate over top of the jack)...?

The post was merely intended to introduce the idea of supporting the battery and lifting the truck off of it.

Maybe the jack (or a better one) will lower enough to roll the truck out of the way.
Maybe put something with wheels (furniture dollies?) under the jack.
Maybe install casters (or use a jack has them built in).
???

There's plenty of time to figure out details.

My technique for replacing the battery would be:
- Go to a place that replaces EV batteries.
- Pay them to replace the battery.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

The post was merely intended to introduce the idea of supporting the battery and lifting the truck off of it.

Maybe the jack (or a better one) will lower enough to roll the truck out of the way.
Maybe put something with wheels (furniture dollies?) under the jack.
Maybe install casters (or use a jack has them built in).
???

There's plenty of time to figure out details.

My technique for replacing the battery would be:
- Go to a place that replaces EV batteries.
- Pay them to replace the battery.

I’d say you would need to build a plat for smaller the the matter that way you can have another set of jacks to lift it off the installation/removal jack for best results

 

[Letas]

Just asking, but then how do you get the old battery off that jack, and put the upgrade battery on the jack at the precise orientation and then slide it back under the Slate (or roll the Slate over top of the jack)...?

Put a pallet on the jack before lowering it, lower battery onto jack.

Then use your at-home forklift to move.

 

[E90400K]

The post was merely intended to introduce the idea of supporting the battery and lifting the truck off of it.

Maybe the jack (or a better one) will lower enough to roll the truck out of the way.
Maybe put something with wheels (furniture dollies?) under the jack.
Maybe install casters (or use a jack has them built in).
???

There's plenty of time to figure out details.

My technique for replacing the battery would be:
- Go to a place that replaces EV batteries.
- Pay them to replace the battery.

That is the best technique.

 

[KevinRS]

The level of work and equipment even in the most DIY options discussed here show why, even beyond the HV aspect of it, battery work is not considered DIY, or even an option to be done at general automotive shops that haven't invested in the equipment and training.
A shop with all the equipment including what's needed to receive the replacement and send out the old one is going to be worth the money rather than go to all that effort for what is likely a once a decade or longer job.