Will the range extender charge when the Scout is not running?

dbkarbo

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I am interested in knowing if the range extender could be used to charge the batteries if the Scout is not running? Say for instance you go to a restaurant, and you need a charge. Could you leave the gas generator run with the vehicle locked, and charge it up while you are having dinner?
Thanks.
 

ToadB

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I think that could have an issue if people did it in a garage and create a carbon dioxide issue with in there house. It is a valid question hopefully someone with more knowledge on the subject will chime in.
 

NukeDukem

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I think that could have an issue if people did it in a garage and create a carbon dioxide issue with in there house. It is a valid question hopefully someone with more knowledge on the subject will chime in.
You can leave any gas powered vehicle running anywhere now. Can’t see why this is different?
 

dleepnw

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Not sure what’s legal or not wrt leaving a car running unattended. But I’ve also been wondering this but my use cases are if you’re camping and overlanding or maybe a power outage at home. Will it charge while vehicle is parked?
 

Mr._Bill

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It's going to be like a generator on a motor home, not like a typical engine. Areas that have restrictions on idling engines are more likely to have charging stations available so it won't be necessary to leave the generator running.
 

ToadB

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You can leave any gas powered vehicle running anywhere now. Can’t see why this is different?
I hope it is a feature, but from OE standpoint making it automated and it fires up and is in someone's garage and they get fumes in the house and die then the OE is responsible?
 

NukeDukem

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I hope it is a feature, but from OE standpoint making it automated and it fires up and is in someone's garage and they get fumes in the house and die then the OE is responsible?
If it’s automated, yeah. I didn’t think of that.
 

maynard

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I am interested in knowing if the range extender could be used to charge the batteries if the Scout is not running? Say for instance you go to a restaurant, and you need a charge. Could you leave the gas generator run with the vehicle locked, and charge it up while you are having dinner?
Thanks.
My guess is it will be automatic on/off while driving, but must be started manually in all other cases. Manually could include from your phone app or fob if it has one...
 

grillmarks

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I am interested in knowing if the range extender could be used to charge the batteries if the Scout is not running? Say for instance you go to a restaurant, and you need a charge. Could you leave the gas generator run with the vehicle locked, and charge it up while you are having dinner?
Thanks.
I think this is doubtful because there’s no need to idle charge as the engine’s purpose is to charge as you drive. There would be no benefit to it.
 

maynard

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I think this is doubtful because there’s no need to idle charge as the engine’s purpose is to charge as you drive. There would be no benefit to it.
Help me understand the "no benefit to it". Wouldn't it be similar to plugging in to get to 80% where you didn't have access to a charger?
 

timmyhil

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I think this is doubtful because there’s no need to idle charge as the engine’s purpose is to charge as you drive. There would be no benefit to it.
What are you saying brother???
 

No_Remorse

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This would be akin to "remote start" on vehicles today, save this charges my battery vs. warming up my car (that's a different thread :)). People have to leverage some logic and not to start while in a closed space.
 

colinnwn

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I can see two reasons for automatic starting of the generator to be an option when unattended.

One is as previously mentioned if you park in a place without a charger, you want it to charge up especially if the performance is reduced on a depleted battery with Harvester only. This could be managed with remote app starting.

The other reason is if you use it as a generator for your home during power outages you'd want it to start automatically as necessary.

I can see needing to acknowledge that it is parked in a well ventilated area. I would also expect it to have carbon monoxide and dioxide detectors to shut it down as needed.
 
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dbkarbo

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Thanks for the input! It is sure going to be interesting to see what they come up with!
 

TheVirtualTim

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This would be a very inefficient way to charge. If you can plug in to either AC or DC charging, it will be more efficient and cost less.

This is because even the _most_ efficient combustion engines for cars are only about 20% to perhaps as much as 30% (for the most efficient ICE cars) efficient. MOST of the energy in the gasoline is released in the form of heat that leaves the car without doing any work at all.

A modern electric power plant that uses any form or hydrocarbons (even if it‘s coal — although coal is on the way out) are much larger engines. They have the space (they don’t need to cram an engine under the hood of a car) and do a much better job capturing the energy (they are only around 60% efficient … but that’s twice as good as even the BEST cars).

The bottom line is it should be cheaper to use standard charging methods whenever they are available.
 
 
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