How to keep a fridge in Cybertruck

[hemiarch]

I do the same thing with my truck. Would advise using a power station with a solar input <400w so as not risk tripping Tesla’s electronic fuse. My Ecoflow river 2 pro is what I chose for this reason (220w solar input). Was already in my collection. All my other power stations would likely trip a 400w limited circuit.
If I were shopping exclusively for this purpose I’d get this Pecron.
https://a.co/d/gNUVlW3
It has a really nice big inverter so you can run almost anything you choose in the frunk (griddle/coffemaker/induction too etc) but it has an option to limit the solar input to 8amp (8Ax48V=384watt) which is just about perfect.
I chose an xt60 as connector too but you could just as easily put mc4 connectors on there you could cap for waterproofing when not in use or Anderson powerpole connectors or whatever else you prefer.

Sponsored

 

[jeevesbond]

Ok i think i understand this better and got a bluetti ac180. Figured id charge it with the 48v and get a step down transformer to 12v. Dumb question but what type of wire did you guys buy? Is there a specific gauge or wire type? Also what about the connector to wire. If dont know how to solder can i use some of clip connector coupler like on amazon? In frunk how much wire is there? Enough to come through the frunk or do you need to extend it with a wire? How bout in roof is there a lot of wire or pretty tight? Thanks

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

Ok i think i understand this better and got a bluetti ac180. Figured id charge it with the 48v and get a step down transformer to 12v. Dumb question but what type of wire did you guys buy? Is there a specific gauge or wire type? Also what about the connector to wire. If dont know how to solder can i use some of clip connector coupler like on amazon? In frunk how much wire is there? Enough to come through the frunk or do you need to extend it with a wire? How bout in roof is there a lot of wire or pretty tight? Thanks

GWHOLE IDC 314-BOX Wire Connectors
https://www.amazon.com/ive?anp=true...videoId":"05a840cc7fd6416fa918ae50336f1333"}]

These 3M Schotchlok insulation displacement connector are virtually waterproof and easy to use.

I used these to install from the 48 volt Cybertruck accessory feed to an XT connector that I ran inside the frunk. Then XT-connects to a Buck down converter 48 to 12 volt, and then another XT connection from the Buck converter into the Bluetti.

I’d recommend NOT using the Schotchlok connectors for anywhere BUT the initial tie-in to the 48 volts. Why? Because at that location they are internal and cannot be seen.

You can order pre-made XT connectors cabling and make for a really clean-looking install for wiring to your Bluetti, as you don’t solder.

You can get XT connectors on Amazon with the male and female ends that you want. The native Cybertruck 48 volt wiring is something like 18 or 20 gauge. Most XT 60 and XT 90 connectors come with about 10-14 gauge wiring, and that gauge, being a little heavier, is nice from a possible wear & tear perspective. I’d probably use a 12 or 14 gauge wiring. Just make sure that you are keeping “positive” and “negative” lines separate. You might use red wire for hot and black for negative just to have a visual reference. In different projects I’ve used the same color wire if I’ve run out of one color, and I always then mark one line with colored electrical tape. I’ve known colorblind persons that use yellow tape (or yellow wire) instead of red because their eyes cannot easily distinguish the color “red.”

You can do this. It is pretty easy. Just pre-plan precise connection points and lengths of cabling and be thinking about how you might ziptie cables in place so they don’t get AFU’d unintentionally (like rubbed or chaffed). That is, cable planning and management will help you make it visually appealing and functional.

I like my Bluettis. Happy Cybertrucking!

 

[hemiarch]

Ok i think i understand this better and got a bluetti ac180. Figured id charge it with the 48v and get a step down transformer to 12v. Dumb question but what type of wire did you guys buy? Is there a specific gauge or wire type? Also what about the connector to wire. If dont know how to solder can i use some of clip connector coupler like on amazon? In frunk how much wire is there? Enough to come through the frunk or do you need to extend it with a wire? How bout in roof is there a lot of wire or pretty tight? Thanks

Totally. Anything that connects two wires.
Just a thought though, I don’t have an ac180 but a quick google shows the solar input is capped at 500w which is more than the 400w max on the frunk outlet. Looks like it draws 10amp so at 48v that’s still 480w or about 80w too much. If you can restrict it to 8 amps in software settings, awesome, 384w.
Otherwise, need a smaller power station or there is a chance you trip that circuit

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

Totally. Anything that connects two wires.
Just a thought though, I don’t have an ac180 but a quick google shows the solar input is capped at 500w which is more than the 400w max on the frunk outlet. Looks like it draws 10amp so at 48v that’s still 480w or about 80w too much. If you can restrict it to 8 amps in software settings, awesome, 384w.
Otherwise, need a smaller power station or there is a chance you trip that circuit

Make sure to utilize what you referred to as a “step-down transformer” rated at less than 400 watts or as Hemiarch notes you will trip the CT’s digital breaker and it won’t provide voltage.

I used this Buck Converter:


HOMELYLIFE Voltage Regulator
https://a.co/d/4GDAvyQ

You got this!

 

[Professor]

I use a 7 pin connector with the housing cut down to allow the door to close. Once you power the trailer aux it stays that way. of course you still have to take it out of full trailer mode each time, but thats minor and i have gotten used to it with my other lights.

 

[Professor]

the wires feed through the hinge of the tailgate and down into the hitch area. kind of a pain, but i'm getting good at it. nice and clean. i left the cord long enough to reach anywhere in the bed, or on the ground under the tailgate. the trailer aux is rated at 440w, the fridge only uses 45w

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

the wires feed through the hinge of the tailgate and down into the hitch area. kind of a pain, but i'm getting good at it. nice and clean. i left the cord long enough to reach anywhere in the bed, or on the ground under the tailgate. the trailer aux is rated at 440w, the fridge only uses 45w

That’s very resourceful. And no Buck converter needed!

 

[hemiarch]

the wires feed through the hinge of the tailgate and down into the hitch area. kind of a pain, but i'm getting good at it. nice and clean. i left the cord long enough to reach anywhere in the bed, or on the ground under the tailgate. the trailer aux is rated at 440w, the fridge only uses 45w

Based on recent posts I have seen about a new bladder system, there may be a simple path to the hitch receiver for the drain hole in the subtrunk too.
Under what conditions is this supply on? What turns it off?

 

[jeevesbond]

Totally. Anything that connects two wires.
Just a thought though, I don’t have an ac180 but a quick google shows the solar input is capped at 500w which is more than the 400w max on the frunk outlet. Looks like it draws 10amp so at 48v that’s still 480w or about 80w too much. If you can restrict it to 8 amps in software settings, awesome, 384w.
Otherwise, need a smaller power station or there is a chance you trip that circuit

thanks looks like ac180 goes to 8 amp at 24 and 12 v. So thats less an issue. I was supposed to pick up ct today but delivery was delayed til monday so ill have to try this next week perhaps. One other thing is there any issue keeping bluetti in trunk or vault as it gets super hot. No risk of fire etc?

 

[jeevesbond]

I use a 7 pin connector with the housing cut down to allow the door to close. Once you power the trailer aux it stays that way. of course you still have to take it out of full trailer mode each time, but thats minor and i have gotten used to it with my other lights.

Very interesting- whenever you have a moment can you take pics of your setup for curiosity on how the wiring looks through tailgate and connections.

 

[hemiarch]

thanks looks like ac180 goes to 8 amp at 24 and 12 v. So thats less an issue. I was supposed to pick up ct today but delivery was delayed til monday so ill have to try this next week perhaps. One other thing is there any issue keeping bluetti in trunk or vault as it gets super hot. No risk of fire etc?

Hasn’t been an issue for me with the ecoflows. These devices generally all have overheat protection and active thermal management so if they get hot they just stop working, kick out an alarm and run the fans. So probably pretty minimal fire risk. It’s important you keep the vent inlet and outlets cleared off so they can thermally self manage or they do get unhappy.
What you’re saying is also true of the Ecoflow devices. when it’s plugged into a car (12 or 24v) it limits its charge to 6,8, or 10 amps depending on how you have it set.
The catch for the Ecoflow though is that this is auto detected. When you plug in a 48v source it shows it as a solar panel on the screen and app, not a 12v or 24v car source and therefore does NOT limit the amps, it allows up to the wattage maximum so in your case that would be (500w/48v=10.41 amps). I’m not sure about the bluetti approach but @CT_AZ_4x4 is a bluetti aficionado and might be able to answer this for us. He has several of them and I have several ecoflows. It’s kind of nice to keep all your stuff in the same app so that encourages some brand loyalty.
The good news is. it’s an electronic fuse so if you trip it, with the ac180 just wait a while and it will reset itself.
the reason I had brought up this Pecron device earlier is that it has a manual amperage draw selector and is not dependent on auto detection. It should therefore allow you to get really close to the 400w limit without going over.
https://a.co/d/aKwmzdK
If you’re super into bluetti stuff it looks like the ac50b, ac2a and eb3a all have solar inputs limited to 200w
Congrats on the delivery and hope you enjoy.
It’s by a mile the most amazing car that we have ever owned and not even close to our first Tesla.

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

Hasn’t been an issue for me with the ecoflows. These devices generally all have overheat protection and active thermal management so if they get hot they just stop working, kick out an alarm and run the fans. So probably pretty minimal fire risk. It’s important you keep the vent inlet and outlets cleared off so they can thermally self manage or they do get unhappy.
What you’re saying is also true of the Ecoflow devices. when it’s plugged into a car (12 or 24v) it limits its charge to 6,8, or 10 amps depending on how you have it set.
The catch for the Ecoflow though is that this is auto detected. When you plug in a 48v source it shows it as a solar panel on the screen and app, not a 12v or 24v car source and therefore does NOT limit the amps, it allows up to the wattage maximum so in your case that would be (500w/48v=10.41 amps). I’m not sure about the bluetti approach but @CT_AZ_4x4 is a bluetti aficionado and might be able to answer this for us. He has several of them and I have several ecoflows. It’s kind of nice to keep all your stuff in the same app so that encourages some brand loyalty.
The good news is. it’s an electronic fuse so if you trip it, with the ac180 just wait a while and it will reset itself.
the reason I had brought up this Pecron device earlier is that it has a manual amperage draw selector and is not dependent on auto detection. It should therefore allow you to get really close to the 400w limit without going over.
https://a.co/d/aKwmzdK
If you’re super into bluetti stuff it looks like the ac50b, ac2a and eb3a all have solar inputs limited to 200w
Congrats on the delivery and hope you enjoy.
It’s by a mile the most amazing car that we have ever owned and not even close to our first Tesla.

All true! You might try the Pecron solar generator. Just make sure the one you get fits the frunk.

The little eco-systems are nice for organized implementation, as Hemiarch notes. I have Bluettis because I started with them with a huge discount on the original system I bought. I didn’t want to have to put additional apps on my phone so I stuck with Bluetti.

If I were to start anew I’d probably try out the Pecron for the exact reason Hemiarch points out: it appears that you can tell it to self-limit its input. Both Bluetti and Ecoflow do not allow this selection, although some models are already “hard” limited.

But a voltage down-converter (a “Buck” converter) can easily resolve that issue if it manifests.

One thing is for sure: this is an awesome-as-hell truck and the stuff you can do with it is just incredible.

Enjoy!

 

[hemiarch]

All true! You might try the Pecron solar generator. Just make sure the one you get fits the frunk.

The little eco-systems are nice for organized implementation, as Hemiarch notes. I have Bluettis because I started with them with a huge discount on the original system I bought. I didn’t want to have to put additional apps on my phone so I stuck with Bluetti.

If I were to start anew I’d probably try out the Pecron for the exact reason Hemiarch points out: it appears that you can tell it to self-limit its input. Both Bluetti and Ecoflow do not allow this selection, although some models are already “hard” limited.

But a voltage down-converter (a “Buck” converter) can easily resolve that issue if it manifests.

One thing is for sure: this is an awesome-as-hell truck and the stuff you can do with it is just incredible.

Enjoy!

Good point about the buck converter. Good thinking. All you would have to do is adjust the voltage down so the power station sees it as a “car charger” and then you can control the amps via the app

 

[Professor]

Very interesting- whenever you have a moment can you take pics of your setup for curiosity on how the wiring looks through tailgate and connections.

The wiring is a bit messy going into the 7 pin (there are a lot of wires) i keep thinking i should epoxy over it, but i always seem to add another set of wires. and the 4 pin is accessible and would probably be all i need.

Sponsored