Looking For Feedback From Actual Tesla Model 3 PCS Users

[Gregski]

I recently saw a Damien Maguire video where he shared with us that he gave up on his Model 3 PCS charger/dc-dc converter unit and I would like to know if he just had a lemon or if they are more hype than grit

I do already own a Tesla Model 3 PCS combo unit but am currently still using a 1st gen Chevy Volt charger and dc-dc converter and was thinking of switching to the PCS simply because of the all-in-one form factor

so I would love to hear how many people are actually running these in their cars, and not just got it working on a work bench, how long have you been using it, any problems/issues? and would you recommend them to others?

Plug-in charging (as per the Wiki)

• AC onboard charger:
  • 7.6 kW at 32 A (SR)
  • 11.5 kW at 48 A (LR)

• DC:
  • 170 kW (SR)
  • 250 kW (LR)[3]

[P.S.Mangelsdorf]

I have a PCS sort of running in my car, and to make a long story short, I'm looking for alternatives.

Like Damien, I had a bad isolation chip, and in repairing that I damaged the rest of the board. I picked up a second PCS which is running, but the charge power won't exceed 2kW, and the DC-DC doesn't always kick on.

I think one of the biggest issues with the PCS is the same issue with any emulation control solution on a Tesla product - Tesla changes shit so often, that there are a bunch of different versions of the PCS out there, running different firmwares, and making adjustments to the controller for each is a pain.

The PCS is great in concept, but clearly from Damien's experience, it is very sensitive to inputs, and from my experience it can be quite finicky.

I also think the secondary problem is that there are so few used in conversions right now, that there is not the support base for solving various issues.

All that to say, I think there is potential for the PCS, but it's not without issue.

[robertwa]

It's unfortunate to hear about this, I have a PCS and Damien's control board and was planning on digging into charging this winter, still may try it but may need to consider other options

[nkiernan]

Same, have a PCS that is working well on the bench and edging closer to installing it. It works neatly for me so will continue testing and monitoring for now

[P.S.Mangelsdorf]

I would say this - the viability of the PCS long term will depend on how many people are using it. It think there may be solutions to the various issues, but it is difficult to troubleshoot when very few members of the forum have gone through the process of integrating it into a car and using it.

It will likely be a couple months before I get to troubleshoot mine, as the motor is currently out of my car, but I do have a plan and some options that could be informative.

The combined charging and DC-DC converter is really a strong suit of this unit, both in terms of space and HV wiring simplicity. Plus it should be able to deliver decent power, which is nice when it works.

[Marius]

Hi, I just picked the last PCS topic hoping for a little help. I test bench a PCS with Damiens controller, all I could get to work is the dcdc, charging over 14v (tryed to set at 13v but still charges at 14v). Anyway, the charger is in iddle, or off state, with 12v on input1.

Oh, and no input type setting, just manual.

I am using a granny cable/charger wich does nothing when I connect it. No errors, just not triggers to start charging. Have i done something wrong? I have some screenshots:

[jokeitch]

checking in as someone who bought a PCS and am pretty excited by the possibility (cheap in junkyards, excellent specs)
It sounds like a huge problem is firmware variability but are there more than a couple hardware revisions?
is it possible to just flash the boards to a fixed firmware rev?

[P.S.Mangelsdorf]

It sounds like a huge problem is firmware variability but are there more than a couple hardware revisions?

Possibly

is it possible to just flash the boards to a fixed firmware rev?

Not that I'm aware of.


One thing I'll add, having just removed the PCS from my car, and just done another road trip with a different DC-DC and charger: The PCS, at least as I used it, made a TON of heat, I constantly had thermal management issues. My new DC-DC/charger set up generates much less heat and runs much more reliably.

Is it possible to get the PCS working better? probably, but I don't have the knowledge or patience to do so.

[sirpewe]

What solution do you use now instead?

BR
// Per

Possibly


Not that I'm aware of.


One thing I'll add, having just removed the PCS from my car, and just done another road trip with a different DC-DC and charger: The PCS, at least as I used it, made a TON of heat, I constantly had thermal management issues. My new DC-DC/charger set up generates much less heat and runs much more reliably.

Is it possible to get the PCS working better? probably, but I don't have the knowledge or patience to do so.

[P.S.Mangelsdorf]

What solution do you use now instead?

BR
// Per

I'm using a Chevy Bolt charger and DC-DC, which are PWM controlled. I'm still working on refining the set up, but they seem to work well.

[jokeitch]

I'm using a Chevy Bolt charger and DC-DC,

First I'm hearing of the bolt charger usee in a conversion, and pwn control sounds dead simple to set up, but I can't find any documentation or threads about it? Did you just buy one and start messing around or is there some documentation somewhere on own signals needed, part names of the special plugs, etc?

Edit nevermind, thread over here
viewtopic.php?p=74633#p74633

[jokeitch]

Looks like damien didn't actually give up on the pcs, it's just when issues arrive, sometimes posts about issues don't contain enough specific information, and the overall problem is tesla keeps changing can messages between firmware versions of the pcs, so its just a matter of finding what changed when, and translating it

the video will be on his yt in a few days i think

i'm curious how many dang firmware versions of the pcs have incompatible can message structures

[tom91]