openinverter forum

Apparently, there are people just as crazy as I am:


I've thought about something like this, but they actually attempted it.

Spoiler alert: they didn't make it in this video. Sounds like they could use FOCCCI and some of my hack-y BMS comms. But I think they said a part 2 is coming? not certain as I primarily listened to this video while underneath my tow-pig-turned-project-truck (remind me to never buy a vehicle I don't plan on converting again. ICE transmissions suck.)

I saw this on my feeds a few days ago.

My favorite part was their solution to fast charge cooling.

Even though 2 of them work at Rivian, there seemed to be a lot of stuff they couldn't get answers to. So their solution was "We're already at a gas station, they'll have ice." And dumped twenty pounds of ice into a cooler with a radiator while they charged up.

MattsAwesomeStuff wrote: ↑Tue Dec 09, 2025 9:53 pm Even though 2 of them work at Rivian, there seemed to be a lot of stuff they couldn't get answers to. So their solution was "We're already at a gas station, they'll have ice." And dumped twenty pounds of ice into a cooler with a radiator while they charged up.

Yeah, I assume the BMS CAN data was something they got from their access. Interesting to see that the BMS master can a) keep working with fewer modules b) provide lots of data over CAN c) keep balancing even in their sketchy configuration. I'd love to get some Rivian parts and mess around, but I don't have an immediate build plan that they would be the right fit for. Just add it to the list of stuff I want to get to someday.

P.S.Mangelsdorf wrote: ↑Mon Dec 08, 2025 4:49 pm Apparently, there are people just as crazy as I am:


I've thought about something like this, but they actually attempted it.

Spoiler alert: they didn't make it in this video. Sounds like they could use FOCCCI and some of my hack-y BMS comms. But I think they said a part 2 is coming? not certain as I primarily listened to this video while underneath my tow-pig-turned-project-truck (remind me to never buy a vehicle I don't plan on converting again. ICE transmissions suck.)

They are not using foccci but advantics solution.

But man is this ever fun!

Bratitude wrote: ↑Mon Dec 22, 2025 5:15 pm They are not using foccci but advantics solution.

Yeah I meant that maybe they'd have better luck with FOCCCI.

But none the less, super cool.

Well the second part came out, and [spoiler alert] they didn't take the record.



But it sounds like another attempt may be in the planning stages.

I'm really glad to see more stuff like this happening, especially on larger Youtube channels. We need more people to see that, while it takes an enormous amount of work, and is more than mildly sketchy, modifying cars can and will live on with EVs.

One thing I was thinking is maybe a self-propelled trailer that is full of battery makes more sense.
You could use a car that is not a giant brick and if the trailer is self-propelled it would increase efficiency.
It would also mean you could detach and charge separately.

There are some self-propelled trailers that I have seen as prototypes. I presume they have regen (though that won't make that huge of a difference on the highway).
You would then have to just connect the batteries from the trailer to the propulsion battery of the car (much easier said than done I know).
If you combine this with say, filling the trunk with batteries you could get well over 100 KWh of power and it should be more efficient.

Given that I routinely blow fuses on things though I am likely way too over simplifying things...
If they do this I am calling dibs!

DVD3500 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 05, 2026 10:07 am One thing I was thinking is maybe a self-propelled trailer that is full of battery makes more sense.
You could use a car that is not a giant brick and if the trailer is self-propelled it would increase efficiency.
It would also mean you could detach and charge separately.
......

Given that I routinely blow fuses on things though I am likely way too over simplifying things...
If they do this I am calling dibs!

Hah... one crazy idea would be to lock the front wheels on Chevy Volt, then cut the cabin and rest of the car off and stuff the battery in the remaining cabin for buffer. Weld a trailer coupler through the front bumper and there you go... you could run the genset in mountain mode to extend your range when you please.

DVD3500 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 05, 2026 10:07 am One thing I was thinking is maybe a self-propelled trailer that is full of battery makes more sense.

I disagree.

I've spent (far too much) time thinking about EV+Cannonball and EV+trailer, and I think a trailer is actually the worst option.

DVD3500 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 05, 2026 10:07 am You could use a car that is not a giant brick and if the trailer is self-propelled it would increase efficiency.

Aging Wheels did another video recently showing all sorts of cool tests and data on trailer towing. Basically, the trailer becomes the controlling factor in efficiency. The 50% increase in rolling resistance, the trailer's aerodynamic drag, and the disruption of the tow vehicle's aerodynamics are all a huge efficiency suck. If its self propelled, you don't add that load to the tow vehicle (in theory) but you still have to carry the energy to overcome those, so you dramatically reduce the impact of the extra batteries you're hauling. And obviously, the trailer can't push the tow vehicle, for the same reason backing a trailer can be challenging - a hitch is good for pulling, not pushing.

DVD3500 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 05, 2026 10:07 am You would then have to just connect the batteries from the trailer to the propulsion battery of the car (much easier said than done I know).

And if its just propelling itself then, as you point out, an umbilical cord to the tow vehicle would be required, and while I've done some sketchy reckless stuff, that seems to be such a GIGANTIC risk that it's not at all reasonable.

DVD3500 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 05, 2026 10:07 am If you combine this with say, filling the trunk with batteries you could get well over 100 KWh of power and it should be more efficient.

Not to be pedantic, but the quantity of batteries doesn't control efficiency.

DVD3500 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 05, 2026 10:07 am Given that I routinely blow fuses on things though I am likely way too over simplifying things...

I think you're also forgetting that to break the current record, regardless of how many batteries you carry, you have to exceed the speed limit for most of the drive. So not only is the trailer drag even more of a problem, but also its a serious safety concern to go that fast with a trailer. Plus doing 80+mph with a trailer can attract some attention, and incognito is the name of the game.

Obviously, speeding across the country has safety implications too, but I know that Cannonballers are very serious about doing the run in the safest manner possible. They are very proud that here have been no major wrecks, and no deaths or injuries in the entire history of these attempts.

In my view, this team is on the right track with a second battery within the confines of the stock vehicle, but they need a more efficient base vehicle. If I was going to do an attempt, and if I had the money and technical ability to do so, I'd want to use a Lucid Air, with a secondary pack. Depending on auxiliary pack size and average speed, you could see a range at speed of 750+ miles.

Oh and here's Aging Wheel's trailer and weight efficiency video:

So it's a hoverboard trailer then?