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Tesla Semi

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Re: Tesla Semi

#241

Post by aerovistae »

akhatri_aus wrote: post #223
aerovistae wrote: post #192

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Call me a fanboy, but something tells me that the guy who built a revolutionary space program from scratch while successfully running a revolutionary auto company, probably has some ability to think things through pretty comprehensively from all angles and plan effectively for what's needed. Do you think you've just pointed out something that never occurred to him? Do you think if you could share your comments with h…

It wasn't really from scratch though was it, he hired out people who had already worked with space projects. None of the tech is really new (yet). We used to have the same types of rockets in the past. Amongst Model 3 fiasco Solarcity too currently has issues.

"None of the tech is really new"? Lol? Could you tell me about the old re-usable rockets from before?

Re: Tesla Semi

#242

Post by aerovistae »

hilbertseries wrote: post #207
aerovistae wrote: post #192

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Call me a fanboy, but something tells me that the guy who built a revolutionary space program from scratch while successfully running a revolutionary auto company, probably has some ability to think things through pretty comprehensively from all angles and plan effectively for what's needed. Do you think you've just pointed out something that never occurred to him? Do you think if you could share your comments with h…

>think things through pretty comprehensively from all angles and plan effectively for what's needed. Is that why model 3 production is going so well?

Pretty sure Model 3 production is going amazingly well, yeah. Astoundingly well. But the media's portrayal of it has people convinced otherwise.

Let's try this perspective instead:

"Decade-old electric car company moves up plan for mass production of new affordable long-range sedan by 2 years"

And then ask ourselves, after moving it up by 2 years, does a 3-month delay mean "things are going badly"?

If I say I'm going to leap 500 feet, and then I leap 450 feet, do you say I failed?

Re: Tesla Semi

#243

Post by icebraining »

einrealist wrote: post #220
njarboe wrote: post #199

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He states that they have spent a lot of time talking to truckers and truck companies. I would guess they believe that with an electric drive train repairs and maintenance will be an order of magnitude lower (not sure how that works for tires and wheels). Body damage should also be much lower with automatic breaking and other features of enhanced autopilot. As Musk said, broken glass is a big cost for trucking as you…

I wonder about accidents. Will the driver be trapped, because the glass cannot be broken?

Maybe the side windows are not that strong? Interesting question nonetheless.

Re: Tesla Semi

#244

Post by arghwhat »

greglindahl wrote: post #231
arghwhat wrote: post #226

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Tires, wheels, suspension, bearings, steering, brakes and drive axles (one from each electric motor to its wheel) will be the same as a regular truck, maintenance-wise. The maintenance reduction basically only related to the motor itself. And, supposedly the "nuclear blast proof" windshield. A collision with a deer probably be much, much more expensive compared to a truck with a safari grill or plow mounted for safet…

Are you sure brakes go on the list? Regenerative braking uses the motor, not brake pads. The track record of this approach is already proven in cars.

Ah, sorry, brakes see less wear. I forgot.

Design and maintenance procedure remains the same, maintenance interval drastically increased.

Re: Tesla Semi

#245

Post by Mchl »

njarboe wrote: post #202
PhasmaFelis wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Security screws on purchasable goods really need to be banned for anything that doesn't pose an immediate and extreme health and safety hazard.

And I don't think anything sold in the US today, not to the Department of Defense, has anything that poses "an immediate and extreme health and safety hazard".

Smoke detectors contain highly toxic Americum 241 isotope. It's not that hard to remove it from the ionization chamber.

Re: Tesla Semi

#246

Post by Smushman »

termie wrote: post #175
PhasmaFelis wrote: post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It's not going to be acceptable to send it to some far away service center to be repaired, at least for small outfits that heavily use all their equipment. Hmmm. Doesn't Tesla usually offer a loaner car while a Tesla is in for repairs? If they did the same thing with semis, would shipping companies accept it?

If the math works there — could now or over time — then once L5 hits imagine the possibilities. L5 trucks towing broken L5 trucks with a third taking the cargo. I missed the video, but I’d bet huge that needed tech is probably prototyped already, at least in the elonoggin. Well done Elon!

"at least in the elonoggin. Well done Elon!"

You got a little doo doo on your nose.

elonoggin? Really??!

Re: Tesla Semi

#247

Post by arghwhat »

AstralStorm wrote: post #235
arghwhat wrote: post #226

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Tires, wheels, suspension, bearings, steering, brakes and drive axles (one from each electric motor to its wheel) will be the same as a regular truck, maintenance-wise. The maintenance reduction basically only related to the motor itself. And, supposedly the "nuclear blast proof" windshield. A collision with a deer probably be much, much more expensive compared to a truck with a safari grill or plow mounted for safet…

Technically nothing is preventing toy from installing the grille or a plow. Other than range of course and perhaps added cost on top.

It all hinges on the accessibility of a sturdy frame that can absurd large impacts.

We won't know until it ships, but the front looks plasticky/crumble-zone-ey, and I'm not sure if Tesla would settle for a simple ladder frame.

Re: Tesla Semi

#248

Post by Smushman »

bluthru wrote: post #229
pythonaut_16 wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well shoot, if they can deliver full self driving capabilities, can I just buy one of these to live in instead of a house, cruising the freeways endlessly?

Top of the line Winnebagos are $500k. You might be on to something: https://winnebagoind.com/products/class-a-diesel/2017/grand-... Someone pair up with a tiny house company or a prefab design/build architecture company and start making some housing trailers for Tesla Semis.

Kickstarter!

Re: Tesla Semi

#249

Post by austenallred »

taneq wrote: post #183
austenallred wrote: post #154

The new Tesla Roadster "Founders Edition" costs $250k, paid up-front, and only 1,000 are made. In other words Tesla just put $250 million in the bank by rubbing rich peoples' egos.

And making a really really nice limited-edition car, apparently.

Of course, but they effectively get three years at zero interest to make good on that.

Re: Tesla Semi

#250

Post by rijoja »

nwmcsween wrote: post #132

Ok as a mechanic a few million questions: * What happens when a wheel seal goes? Do I have to remove all that ridiculous plastic on #2,3 axels?? * What happens when a tire blows? Is it going to destroy all that plastic and take out a few more tires in the process? * Why all the glass? I've spend entire days replacing windshields for a 12 or so truck shop which generally come in two (drivers and passengers), the Tesla…

A lot of this is probably in order to get a 0.36 Cd Drag coefficient! Also having a lot of glass probably increases the view which in turn increases the security!
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