Tesla Model 3 Front Drive Unit Hacking

[Jack Bauer]

Setting up a thread to document the reverse engineering of the Model 3 front drive unit. The specimen is from a European 2019 car with just over 20k km on the clock.

Initial observation is the motor exhibits no cogging whatsoever while turning via the drive shafts. The plan will be in two parts :

1)Remove inverter and run the motor with a prius inverter so we can learn how to control it with the Openinverter system.

2)Reverse engineering the Tesla inverter to allow use with an open source logic board.

[johu]

I think Teslabjörn says one of the motors is still asynchronous. If there is no cogging this might be the one.

[Kevin Sharpe]

I think Teslabjörn says one of the motors is still asynchronous. If there is no cogging this might be the one.

"The dual-motor versions of the Model 3 have an induction motor in the front and a permanent magnet synchronous reluctance motor in the back"

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2019/04/mo ... -range-10/

Elon Musk - "AC induction front & switched reluctance, partial permanent magnet rear. Silicon Carbide inverters in both. Performance drive units are lot sorted for highest sigma output & get double the burn-in."

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/998 ... 48?lang=en

[Jack Bauer]

Yeah I'm wondering did they just use a resolver on both to avoid different hardware.

[Kevin Sharpe]

A useful background video of the front motor

[johu]

Next firmware release will always assume asynchronous motors in the sine version and synchronous in the FOC version.

[Jack Bauer]

so will it be possible to support resolver mode for async? asking for Elon:)

[arber333]

so will it be possible to support resolver mode for async? asking for Elon:)

I join this plead since i discovered a good small application ACIM with resolver that would be shame to cut away... and others.
https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewt ... +generator

[slow67]

so will it be possible to support resolver mode for async? asking for Elon:)

I join this plead since i discovered a good small application ACIM with resolver that would be shame to cut away... and others.
https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewt ... +generator

X2 I also have one of these starter/generators as well.

[Kevin Sharpe]

Would anyone like to organise crowdfunding for a 3D scan of both motors?

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=184&p=7280#p7280

[Jack Bauer]

Front drive unit weigh in.

[Jack Bauer]

[JaniK]

Its not Alien technology after all huh?

[Kevin Sharpe]

Munro: Electric Motor Comparison MY-M3

[Kevin Sharpe]

Munro: Changes inside the Model Y Front EDM and Comparison to M3

[SKB123]

Question - could I assume the work being done on the rear will also work on the front motor or is there something obvious I'm missing?
I'm going to use the pirus control for now till I get mounts sorted

[Isaac96]

It's quite different. Front motor is induction, rear motor is permanent magnet.
The control board may be similar, but the power stage is also probably different, since the rear motor is quite a bit more powerful.

[Jack Bauer]

While the motors are different the inverters are practically the same. The solution for the rear du will work just as well on the front:)

[Isaac96]

Wow! Is there any difference in terms of power ability? They're still running the small-ish SiC modules in there, doesn't seem very Tesla to use more than are necessary.

[arber333]

While the motors are different the inverters are practically the same. The solution for the rear du will work just as well on the front:)

Elon going all out lowering price on inverter manufacturing...