Gregory's Server
 13 comments
Lambda
@TechConnectify that's one beefy alternator to build into the car solely for this probably rarely-used purpose - or does the car have internal 120V receptacles anyway?
Technology Connections
@lambda Every E-GMP platform car comes with this ability from what I gather, regardless of whether they have an outlet on the interior or not. Mine does also have that outlet (and it uses the same invertor), but a key part of this feature is that the car stays "asleep" so you don't have all the other accessory loads competing for energy. 
Christopher Agocs
@lambda @TechConnectify It's an EV, so it's an inverter. EVs already use inverters to drive the traction motors. This is using the same functionality to drive a hotplate.
Lambda
@agocs @TechConnectify err yes, inverter. Are you sure it's the same inverter that drives the traction motors though? That would also mean you can't use the internal receptacle while driving (which would be a reasonable tradeoff).
Daniel Brotherston
@TechConnectify Are all cars capable of this? I would expect this would require special equipment? Inverters aren't usually...reversible AFAIK?
Technology Connections
@danbrotherston All of Hyundai/Kia's E-GMP platform cars can! It's a neat feature they built-in.
Chris M
@TechConnectify I was wondering about those vehicle to load adapters but Hyundai was selling them at 2x+ more than other places I was nervous to buy a non-official one. Does this brand you have seem ok?
Technology Connections
@tebriel Seems fine! There are 2 limitations, though: It doesn't have any sort of weather seal so it cannot be used outdoors. Not an issue for me since I would only use this for emergencies when the car is parked in the garage anyway Second, that little nubbin between the two slots of the AC plug is the button that actually signals the car to send charge. So you need a tight-fitting cord to be firmly inserted in order for it to work But it feels well-built, and for $129 it's easier to swallow
Crash :blobd20:
@TechConnectify Also looks like an opportunity for someone to try to use the "Forbidden Cord" with male plugs on both ends, which may be less than neat.
RyDawg
@TechConnectify So you’re telling me Ford didn’t even need to use the CCS pins on the charge connector to use the backup power feature on the Lightning?
Blake Helms :verified:
@TechConnectify this makes so much sense! Honestly that should be standard in every EV. |
To explain, this is my car's vehicle-to-load function in action.
A simple adapter signals the car to backfeed AC voltage from an inverter to the charge port (This is a generic adapter, btw, teardowns of the official unit reveal it's basically just a resistor across the control pins).
This adapter turns the car into a generator capable of running basic necessities for days. You have the full 15A of any outlet at your disposal.
Pretty neat™