What is the Scout Harvester?

[Dive Bar Casanova]

I respect your right-honorable opinion and will add, it's all good.

 

[Registered User]

The Harvester is about convenience not efficiency.

This is true for all Scout models. None will be a true model of efficiency. For that, buy a Model 3 or something.

For many of us, the Harvester gives us the best of all worlds. 5 days out of the week, I can use pure battery power. On weekends, when I need to drive to the big city, or want to go off the grid, I can rest assured that the Harvester will give me plenty of extra range and allow me to use ubiquitous gas stations to (ultimately) power my vehicle.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

This is true for all Scout models. None will be a true model of efficiency. For that, buy a Model 3 or something.

For many of us, the Harvester gives us the best of all worlds. 5 days out of the week, I can use pure battery power. On weekends, when I need to drive to the big city, or want to go off the grid, I can rest assured that the Harvester will give me plenty of extra range and allow me to use ubiquitous gas stations to (ultimately) power my vehicle.

,,,,, and a full sized spare.

 

[jesemd]

...The genset's engine can be sized for the average load rather than the peak load...

Exactly.

I read somewhere a long time ago that the average automobile uses something like 30hp going 65mph on flat ground. The reason we have larger engines is for acceleration, long steep hills and towing. If the ER version includes the ubiquitous 3-cylinder VW engine for example, at about 80-115hp, it should be plenty to supply average load, even during most towing.

 

[TwoJacks]

Train locomotives have so many drive wheels that driving them with electric motors is less complex, more reliable & more efficient than a purely mechanical drivetrain with hydro-mechanical transmisssion(s).

As for the 'consistent torque' aspect, a motor on each drive wheel allows for fine, individualized torque control, especially when starting from a stop, which is helpful when driving steel wheels on steel rails.

Exactly. It allows them to avoid building massive transmissions that would only be used to get the train moving. Car use case is so different.

 

[TwoJacks]

Exactly.

I read somewhere a long time ago that the average automobile uses something like 30hp going 65mph on flat ground. The reason we have larger engines is for acceleration, long steep hills and towing. If the ER version includes the ubiquitous 3-cylinder VW engine for example, at about 80-115hp, it should be plenty to supply average load, even during most towing.

Of that’s how we all drove all the time, sure. That’s not at all how most drive miles are spent.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

Gas engine may kick in way before the Scouts batteries are low. Slow the rate of discharge.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

Here's a video (already posted in another thread) showing that it does that in the 'Max' mode:
At 43:09 into this video:
...the Scout rep explains the three range extender modes. The third mode ("Max") is "if you were towing, you might need it to stay on..."

We plan on running EV around town and then of course the range extender on the road. Ya wonder if the engine / generator can be run parked to charge the battery?

Wife had a scary encounter charging once with a wierd-O.

Often EV chargers can be in isolated/blind locations that are no safe place for women. OOSpec's Alyssa sometimes mentions that. Wife pax a .38 and a German Shepard but doesn't want to have to deploy either.
Range extender and the gasoline feature is welcome.