Will Slate Make Their Battery ‘Easily’ Replacable?

[KevinRS]

I didn't realize how light transmissions are compared to batteries.
1000lbs is a safe estimate for a pack. Probably more like 850 but I haven't been bothered to research super close. Would be easiest with a lift for the car. Raise the car up, use two floor jacks with 2x4s+plywood, drop pack, slide away.

Again, not easy but not out of the realm of possibility.

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.

 

[sodamo]

Slate is making the standard battery upgradable, so not a stretch to think it might be future upgradable/replaceable.

 

[AZFox]

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.

Internet Rando here...
I have no idea how it's done, but I can make stuff up.
This motorcycle jack is rated for 2,000 lbs.

Put the truck on a lift. Don't lift it yet.
Slide that jack under the truck.
Raise it until it touches the battery.
Unfasten whatever fastens the battery to the chassis.
Lift the truck.

 

[AZFox]

Slate is making the standard battery upgradable, so not a stretch to think it might be future upgradable.

Are you sure?
Not according to this thread.
PSA: Extended Range Battery can NOT be added / retrofit installed after purchase (confirmed by Slate)

I asked Slate if the extended range battery would be something I could add later… their response:

“At this time, the extended range battery is not something that can be added after purchase. Due to the integration of the battery system into the Slate's chassis and electrical architecture, it needs to be selected during the initial build. “

Unfortunately, it sounds like it’s more than a few bolts.

 

[sodamo]

Are you sure?
Not according to this thread.
PSA: Extended Range Battery can NOT be added / retrofit installed after purchase (confirmed by Slate)

Well, pretty sure all blank Slates are built with Standard and for extra $$ will upgraded to Extended by Slate. Have not read that Extended will be added initially. Could be wrong.

 

[AZFox]

Well, pretty sure all blank Slates are built with Standard and for extra $$ will upgraded to Extended by Slate. Have not read that Extended will be added initially. Could be wrong.

I've been under the impression they permanently install one of the two batteries at the factory rather than the extra module being added on.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the two batteries are the same physical size, just with a different number of modules inside. Weight distribution would be manageable that way. The Extended Battery option add 302 pounds of weight.

 

[KevinRS]

From all the interviews and releases we've seen, just 2 versions will come off the line, the 2 battery versions. Several ways they could handle it, they could just do it with timing, some days they make standard battery trucks, others they make extended. The battery version will probably be built into the VIN number, just like on ICE vehicles things like which engine option is designated by a letter in the VIN.

 

[phidauex]

The "official" way to do it is with one of these portable battery lifts: https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/ev-battery-lift-tables/

Only $11k!

Now, with some care, you might be able to make one of these Quick Jacks work. They are popular, and while not cheap ($2k or so), they are cheap enough for an enthusiast to get a lot of use out of, especially if you are maintaining multiple vehicles. https://www.quickjack.com/category/portable-car-lifts

I'd imagine in this case that you'd lift the truck with the quick jack, support it on stands, then drop the jacks and move them under the battery support rails and apply some lift to it. Remove all of the fasteners and connectors, and lower the battery out. Only part I'm not sure of at that point is how you get it out from under the truck...

 

[SichuanHot]

The "official" way to do it is with one of these portable battery lifts: https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/ev-battery-lift-tables/

Only $11k!

Now, with some care, you might be able to make one of these Quick Jacks work. They are popular, and while not cheap ($2k or so), they are cheap enough for an enthusiast to get a lot of use out of, especially if you are maintaining multiple vehicles. https://www.quickjack.com/category/portable-car-lifts

I'd imagine in this case that you'd lift the truck with the quick jack, support it on stands, then drop the jacks and move them under the battery support rails and apply some lift to it. Remove all of the fasteners and connectors, and lower the battery out. Only part I'm not sure of at that point is how you get it out from under the truck...

Repurposing quickjacks like that is definitely doable. I have the older version before the TLX series came out and the only shortcoming I can think of is the short height. They only go up to about 2ft. I guess for a home diyer it could work.

 

[E90400K]

Internet Rando here...
I have no idea how it's done, but I can make stuff up.
This motorcycle jack is rated for 2,000 lbs.

Put the truck on a lift. Don't lift it yet.
Slide that jack under the truck.
Raise it until it touches the battery.
Unfasten whatever fastens the battery to the chassis.
Lift the truck.

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)...?

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

The "official" way to do it is with one of these portable battery lifts: https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/ev-battery-lift-tables/

Only $11k!

Now, with some care, you might be able to make one of these Quick Jacks work. They are popular, and while not cheap ($2k or so), they are cheap enough for an enthusiast to get a lot of use out of, especially if you are maintaining multiple vehicles. https://www.quickjack.com/category/portable-car-lifts

I'd imagine in this case that you'd lift the truck with the quick jack, support it on stands, then drop the jacks and move them under the battery support rails and apply some lift to it. Remove all of the fasteners and connectors, and lower the battery out. Only part I'm not sure of at that point is how you get it out from under the truck...

11K!omg give we 3 3-ton jacks and some wood and like 2 no 3 beers in and out 30 minutes XD

 

[cadblu]

The "official" way to do it is with one of these portable battery lifts: https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/ev-battery-lift-tables/

Only $11k!

This makes the estimated $5k cost of the extended range battery sound like a true bargain! And that includes labor and a factory warranty.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

There's definitely cheaper lift table options, haha.

 

[phidauex]

There's definitely cheaper lift table options, haha.

That's a nice one, but it won't support the weight of one of these batteries. It might just barely cover the SR battery, but the ER battery will be over 1000 lbs.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

That's a nice one, but it won't support the weight of one of these batteries. It might just barely cover the SR battery, but the ER battery will be over 1000 lbs.

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.