| Author | Message | |||
     Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2204 Registered: 09-2004 |
Just have to wait till 2025 to replace the RR for towing. Tri motor AWD 0-60mph in 2.9s  | |||
| ross kowalski Prolific User Username: cdfpw Post Number: 1279 Registered: 11-2015 |
Patrick, It better be self driving because that thing is so hard on the eyes that you'd have to be drinking and likely blindfolded to endure it. Maybe the self driving feature would steer you away from store fronts so you wouldn't have to see your reflection. Yikes. | |||
| Trevor Hodgekinson Experienced User Username: wm20 Post Number: 113 Registered: 11-2006 |
If Tesla is quoting 2025 then start thinking about it in 2035 which will be about the same time as the preliminary model gets released for trial. That is of course if the investors have continued to pour millions into a business that is yet to break even let alone show a profit and is structurally insolvent | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2206 Registered: 09-2004 |
Maybe the Speeding with this stealth type radar invisible shape will make the speed traps redundant. 2022 for the USA Cybertruck! More to this design and cost saving that will make it a winner IMO. | |||
| ross kowalski Prolific User Username: cdfpw Post Number: 1280 Registered: 11-2015 |
Patrick, That thing would show up as mid sized shipping container with those giant flat sides. What will make this car-truck a winner is the same thing that made the pontiac Aztek a winner. | |||
| Mike Thompson Prolific User Username: vroomrr Post Number: 1087 Registered: 04-2019 |
I'm with Ross on the but ugly part, but if you hand me the keys to something that will do 2.9 0-60 I would drive a Dick (Cheney) wagon down the road. But I feel like saying Gort, Klaatu Nikto Baratas Bringy Dingus. When I see it.  | |||
| Trevor Hodgekinson Experienced User Username: wm20 Post Number: 114 Registered: 11-2006 |
But the problem is by the time you get to 60 mph the batteries are flat. I only know one person with a tesla He told us a while back that as a drive to work car it is great gets around 300 km on a charge in summer with the air con on gets about 120 km on a charge in winter with the heater on gets around 200 km with him & his wife which is way too short to leave Sydney. | |||
| Mike Thompson Prolific User Username: vroomrr Post Number: 1088 Registered: 04-2019 |
When I saw Elon Musk presenting that thing I was wondering if it was a joke. From cybernetic Neuralinks technology to a Cybertruck. What was he thinking. His Spacex mission to mars does look like a shinny ...  | |||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 3520 Registered: 04-2003 |
There might be a thing or two to say about design infringements - looks like a cross between a WW2 V2 rocket, the Space Shuttle and a submarine. The old saying "a camel is a horse designed by a committee" immediately comes to mind. | |||
| Mike Thompson Prolific User Username: vroomrr Post Number: 1090 Registered: 04-2019 |
Speaking of V2 here is another Elon Musk design. Spacex Starship.  And to the above image (Mars Mission) and submarine, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea comes to mind. | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2207 Registered: 09-2004 |
Wow, looks like Tesla is a win win and its only the prototype. Just love the tough stainless body makeup, dent free and the bullet prove glass that can be broken for easy access in a accident etc. Confirmed ! On Sunday, Musk tweeted reservations have hit 187,000. Later that evening he tweeted that it had hit 200,000 reservations, putting the total deposits at $20 million. Reservations require a $100 refundable deposit. How many of those deposits will convert to actual orders for the truck, which is currently priced between $39,900 and $69,900, is impossible to predict. And there will likely be plenty of speculation over the next two years. Production of the tri-motor variant of the cybertruck is expected to begin in late 2022, Tesla said. | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2208 Registered: 09-2004 |
IS This WHY Elon Musk IS A GENIUS... Problem: Raise money for building trucks. Solution: Elon spends a few million dollars and builds 1 visually POLARIZING prototype. (plus smashes a Porsche in a speed race and destroys a towing tug-a-war with an F150 along the way). He then holds a press conference to show it off and “Accidentally” breaks two windows knowing that's going cause drama and get media coverage. After, he offers pre-sales for a mere $100 deposit. Within a few weeks he will be claiming well over 200,000 pre-sales (already over 150K orders) 200,000 x $100 = $20,000,000 Pre-Sale Rev. Elon can then go to the big boy investors with all this data and rally them to gather their cash 💵 200,000 trucks x $40,000 each = $8 Billion Bucks He should easily be able to raise 20% = $1.6 Billion Total investment? 🤔 One prototype truck & One unveiling party! Is that why Elon Musk is a genius. (and thank you to Aaron C for the copy)  Tri motors = 500 mile range and towing 14000lbs cripes the Ford F-150 will be on the back burner! | |||
| Mike Thompson Prolific User Username: vroomrr Post Number: 1091 Registered: 04-2019 |
To be fair beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I'm sure the DeLorean (Back to the Future) with its stainless steel design was not liked (and had a teeny tiny 130-hp engine). This car cost John DeLorean his freedom charged with conspiracy to obtain and distribute 55 pounds of cocaine in a sting operation. Ultimately DeLorean was acquitted of the drug charges in August 1984. The new/old DeLoreans outside DMC's Texas location. https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a25938392/inside-delorean-motor-company/   Pre-advertising is nothing new, maybe Thomas Edison was the first to use it to boost ultimate sales. . | |||
| ross kowalski Prolific User Username: cdfpw Post Number: 1283 Registered: 11-2015 |
Elon Musk gets three things VERY right. One, there is a large part of the population that wants cars that represent the future. Getting into a tesla is like driving a sci-fi movie prop. Two, electric cars are the way to go for most of the reasonably affluent drivers in the first world. They are coming, be on top of that curve, be behind that curve, whatever, they are coming. Three, cars are fashion not function. Most pickup drivers drive around with them empty most of the time, they just like to look tough. So tesla is betting that people will want the "smart tough" look and he is not wrong for that segment. but, The commercial truck market is not going to like that effort much. Sure some rich towns will have them for driving their tree and grounds people around but they are lacking a lot of what is desired there. So, none of the old accessories fit, the bed is only 6', you cannot put on a flatbed, leaf box, utility body, the price is more for less work, if you don't live in a "right to repair" state you can't fix it in house, You need dedicated fast chargers for your fleet, regular body shop isn't going to like repairing it, insurance will be higher, etc. Then there's charging. When it finally is released in 2025 someone will raise it 6", someone will lower it to the ground, someone will put diesel in it and of course all the obligatory magazine "shootout" articles will be written. If my f250 diesel is not running at that point, I'll look into it. | |||
| Mike Thompson Prolific User Username: vroomrr Post Number: 1095 Registered: 04-2019 |
I still think electric is loopy. Hours for a half charge, come on. How do you get to work, and who has the time for that? Hydrogen would be like filling your car with fuel. You fill and go. Whether it is a fuel cell or just used as fuel. And hydrogen does not weigh a quarter of a ton added to the car. The Tesla Roadster has a range of 245 miles. My last job was 160 miles alone, round trip. I would be constantly looking for a place to plug in at 120v. No thanks. | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2209 Registered: 09-2004 |
"Loopy" have not heard that in the engineering description of progress or otherwise. Don't throw the dice if you can't pay the price. As for the old T roadster, the new one will have a range of 600+ miles. Progress, move with the times! Cripes just seen the cost of a hydrogen every day type of car and the cost of fuelling the things. https://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-5-reasons-why-hydrogen-cars-are-stupid/  | |||
| Trevor Hodgekinson Experienced User Username: wm20 Post Number: 117 Registered: 11-2006 |
You are right about one thing Patrick, Elton Musk is a genius when it comes to duping people out of their money. He will eventually be taken down & remembered as a visionary con-man. The Tesla investors were just about to pull the plug so to speak and he comes out with the ute, scores a cool 20,000,000 which he can use to pay out some of the investors who have gone cold then con a pile more to buy in. That used to be called a Ponzy scheme. A week or so back, the electric prime mover failed yet another field trial. He has presold over 50,000 of them to major freight companies Walmart & Pepsi Co , all of which need to be seen as carbon neutral. They were released in 2017 and production was due to commence in 2019 which has been pushed back to 2020 then further back to 2021. Note this is the proposed start date for manufacture. However at this point in time he does not have the production capacity to build the proposed 50,000 trucks a year in any existing plant. Ask any one involved in building factories or vehicles if they think you can get a factory built and production happening within that time frame and they will laugh you out of the room. So despite the fact he is yet to deliver on the semi, he is now taking orders for a small truck that he can not actually build either. There is a term for that and it is called FRAUD | |||
| Mike Thompson Prolific User Username: vroomrr Post Number: 1096 Registered: 04-2019 |
I stand by the technical term Loopy when it comes to electric cars. The 5 reasons are a shame. 1. It’s Not Currently Green Hydrogen can be made from water, and produced by solar power. Which means it is as green as it gets. 2. The Process Is Inefficient So they think it is better to just stick in a plug and avoid transportation cost. Hmmm, And the whole point of mandated electric cars is to solve the carbon signature. Where does the plug connect to, a coal burning electric generator no doubt. Hydrogen will not have any more transportation costs than shipping fuel from Arabia and then to all the gas stations. And there is the cost to time ratio with electric cars verses a hydrogen car. Time is money and it will cost a lot to charge them. 3. It’s Expensive As they said "Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, like any new technology, are not cheap." And that is for fuel cells, I would rather have Internal Combustion with bigger more efficient engines. (Plus I would rather cars make a sound so kids know to get out of the street when playing a sport.) 4. Energy Independence They say all you have to do is plug in at night and never see a gas station again. Hydrogen is made from water. If you use a home solar panel and make your own hydrogen you too would never see a gas station again (A Vlad mobile). And no mention of the pollution of making and destroying those 500 lbs batteries. (Plus those batteries are dangerous, I had to have special training as a parts specialist to handle the sales of those massive batteries.) 5. What About Refuelling And Range? They said it themselves: "The range of the Toyota Mirai is about 300 miles, and refuelling can be done in about 5 minutes. That’s a significant time saving over a Tesla Model S charge, even if it’s using the fast supercharging stations. This is the real advantage of hydrogen cars over electrics." So hydrogen is not only not stupid, they make more sense. Electric cars are Loopy. | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2212 Registered: 09-2004 |
No sign of problems with the quick time of getting the Tesla factory built with M3s rolling out the door in the end of January. The subsities sure will help. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/china-built-tesla-cars-recommended-for-subsidies-ministry/ar-BBXQgDO?ocid=spartandhp No sign of the failed it seems hydrogen car, can't imagine why...... | |||
| Trevor Hodgekinson Experienced User Username: wm20 Post Number: 119 Registered: 11-2006 |
Yes, Living off investors funds and subsidy farming. A definate sign of a well run company with a solid future ? Note there are only 3 weeks till the end of 2019 and the story states they AIM TO MAKE MORE THAN 1000 CARS A WEEK BY THE END OF 2019. Also note there were no ACTUAL production figures quoted. Being that the work is being done in China one will never know what the embedded pollution in the production of the vehicle is but I would guess that it is about 10 years of emissions from a standard petrol powered vehicle. In fact the only firm number they printed was the cost of the factory, most of which came out of the pockets of the investors. As of October 2019 just under 80,000 model 3 had been made. Way short of all of the predicted production numbers of 300,000 for 2019. Building them in China should bolster the production numbers but it will also make it very easy to massarge the numbers & lie to the investors | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2218 Registered: 09-2004 |
Nothing wrong with investors making money long or short in a growth company. I bought in 2015[185.00] and have been in and out ever since, price now [335.39]. The USA folk should cherish such a talented CEO and companies of the future. Tip,Maxwell super capacitators altra capacitators in the fold. Musk is a genius. Move with the times on future charging in minutes. BTW your figures are incorrect! Just wait till the German factory is built with production of the new models in record time. Will it mean more investment, I hope so. | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2225 Registered: 09-2004 |
Good news, feel refreshed to-day. Changes at last. And Good news from USA on the Tesla 3 with regard to elec consumption. "The Porsche Taycan Turbo is a power-hungry electricity guzzler that uses double that of the Tesla Model 3, new figures from the US-based EPA has found" Tesla batteries are IMO light years ahead of the German batt technology. | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2231 Registered: 09-2004 |
No wipers needed in the future may be. Tesla patent with laser cleaning..... https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1126262_tesla-files-patent-application-for-glass-cleaning-lasers | |||
| Mike Thompson Prolific User Username: vroomrr Post Number: 1134 Registered: 04-2019 |
If that isn't the loopiest idea I've ever heard of. So you're sitting in your garage and want to clean your window off, you hit the button and the lasers starts burning away dirt or whatever. The beam is also burning away on your garage ceiling and starts a fire and burns your house down. Or a mother sits her baby on the roof of the car in a carrier, the car detects something in the line of sight and tried to burn it in half. Yeah there won't be law suits on that. | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2235 Registered: 09-2004 |
A million miles on tesla batteries is a step nearer. "Musk’s predictions might be on its way to becoming reality. At the Palo Alto event Musk promised that Tesla would soon make cars that could last for at least a million miles without requiring any significant maintenance. Now, a scientific paper published by Jeff Danh – an academic at the University of Dalhousie in Canada who also leads Tesla’s battery research group – suggests that Musk’s prediction may already be possible." http://jes.ecsdl.org/content/166/13/A3031.full . | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2247 Registered: 09-2004 |
Cripes China built model 3 on its way from start of factory to production in under a year. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/news/tesla-delivers-first-china-made-model-3-sedans-in-just-under-a-year/ar-BBYrViE?ocid=spartandhp | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2251 Registered: 09-2004 |
Interesting documentary on Elon Musk and Tesla, 2012 cripes eight years ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD9PGi8hHvY | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2253 Registered: 09-2004 |
Simple insight of Tesla growth with debt and cash flow! Clever long term share growth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHS0H5AwGjU | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2256 Registered: 09-2004 |
Thought I would share with you some interesting facts on the new model Y, clever stuff with the robot being able to install the new type loom. Looks like my MS will have to move on when this model Y as it seems going to be earlier than expected into production. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiD7ZDc7kJ4 | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2263 Registered: 09-2004 |
German tesla Gigafactory forest cleared, looks huge. Competition for the VW group that are IMO years behind. All looking good!  Hope you chaps made a killing on the early part of Feb sold half of my shares! Dam 40% tax though! More on battery production changes next. | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2265 Registered: 09-2004 |
Tesla plans for quadruple battery production with catl, no stopping them now! https://electrek.co/2020/02/03/chinese-battery-giant-catl-confirms-supply-agreement-with-tesla/ Tesla has hit the one million car produced and it is the Model Y. https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/a31337140/tesla-produces-1-million-cars/ | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2269 Registered: 09-2004 |
Thought I would spend some cash on a update from 19" to 21" staggered wheels wow and I thought it was for looks. Now the car handles like being on rails with the air suspension it is a real treat. Only down side so far is the slight increase of road noise.  | |||
| Mark Luft Frequent User Username: bentleyman1993 Post Number: 299 Registered: 10-2016 |
Looks Great!! | |||
| ross kowalski Prolific User Username: cdfpw Post Number: 1326 Registered: 11-2015 |
Patrick, I don't know if you can get to this year's Meetup, I don't even know if I will be able to, but if you could you should bring the tesla. Tesla, the true American luxury car. | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2272 Registered: 09-2004 |
Ross sadly the way things are going in the UK with Covid-19 looks like travel will be a no go many refunds are being delt with and ongoing. As for [Tesla, the true American luxury car.] I would add "Tesla the true American technology car"! Don't I just love the times when I pick up friends when it is my turn to drive and they find they blow wind when they sit in their seats. One-day left the car in a car park and returned home with much Guinness etc on board, so next day gave my Son the key fob and asked him to collect the car. Would you believe my phone rang to give me a message from Tesla USA via satellite to show the car being moved and a live video showing position and speed etc with car on route. The solar and the Tesla power-wall 2 that gives most free electricity for charging the car and running the home etc with a pay back cheque as well for every unit produced to cover the cost of installation with profit long term that has turned out short term!. Ross you are lucky to have such a clever Gent as Elon Musk in the USA. Hope he Tesla can weather the future storms that will IMO be forthcoming through no fault of his own! | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2273 Registered: 09-2004 |
Thanks Mark for your kind remark. Convinced me to still look forward to new technology wheels or whatever in my old age! | |||
| ross kowalski Prolific User Username: cdfpw Post Number: 1328 Registered: 11-2015 |
Patrick, I was in a model 3 performance recently and it gives all the acceleration with 0 headache. I have driven cars as quick but they are absolutely frightening to drive. Everything you do has to be perfect or you go slow, break something worth thousands of dollars, or die. All that while being cooked and deafened by the headers. The Tesla ... Just stand on the pedal and let science do the rest. And you have aircon! | |||
| Benoit Leus Frequent User Username: benoitleus Post Number: 406 Registered: 06-2009 |
I can confirm what Ross says. I recently drove a Model 3 and it was phenomenal. Acceleration is almost supercar like, without any of the drama. And it handles too. If I didn't have to do 30,000 motorways miles a year, I might well consider one. Benoit | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2284 Registered: 09-2004 |
The super value Model 3 is a booted car smaller than the hatchback Model S, that was my only gripe after the booted Citroen C6s, In years to come my next will be the Model Y then the Cyber Truck. E Musk was thought at the time in 2016 to have a filtration system for the Model S and Model X for the occupants as a over kill, proving now to be more than safe in todays environment. https://www.tesla.com/en_GB/blog/putting-tesla-hepa-filter-and-bioweapon-defense-mode-to-the-test?fbclid=IwAR0sFp9TcMYjK4KwDg4iMDsf87JOEg87yExWojXyW8fZVxkYyjt2VXXFK7s | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2293 Registered: 09-2004 |
Difficult times but a profit will see the stock rise. https://electrek.co/2020/04/29/tesla-tsla-q1-2020-results/ | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2318 Registered: 09-2004 |
Good news if true now, will mean no German supplied Tesla cars. Be Good for the employment side of things. https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/elon-musk-tesla-uk-factory-4192165 Having a second Powerwall 2 with backup gateway fitted soon, will store surplus energy instead of returning it to the grid. | |||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 3710 Registered: 04-2003 |
Patrick, German plant solely for LHD vehicles......... UK plant for RHD?? Makes a lot of sense especially if it results in a lower landed price compared to the US-sourced cars currently sold here. I would be very interested to know why you decided to not export what I assume will be increased surplus energy from the additional system. Low existing output due to UK solar conditions or the creation of "Lockyer Energy" to supply cheap electricity to your neighbours????? | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2319 Registered: 09-2004 |
David, many reasons for greater storage, main reason the exporting payment is only 3.90P per unit. Backup Gateway, auto backup off grid, larger storage electric to home and E cars as insurance to any grid future cut offs. BTW the original solar is paying for the max allowed FIT of 55.36p per unit index linked for many guaranteed years to come. | |||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 3767 Registered: 04-2003 |
Hi Patrick, Elon Musk breaks new ground..................AGAIN 
| |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2359 Registered: 09-2004 |
David, wow what a quiet way to go and with style. Would make an interesting pickup truck in years to come with air suspension! | |||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 3773 Registered: 04-2003 |
Patrick, Elon Musk never ceases to amaze however an all-electric SUV is exactly what I have been waiting for and this looks highly irresistible. Just what we need for Australian conditions and use: https://www.drive.com.au/news/2021-lucid-air-obliterates-tesla-s-model-s-range-record-124138.html?trackLink=SMH0 . | |||
| ross kowalski Prolific User Username: cdfpw Post Number: 1462 Registered: 11-2015 |
David, I just used one of those new fast chargers, it was $33 USD for 550 miles of range which is a lot, but the charge time was only 2 minutes. | |||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 3774 Registered: 04-2003 |
Ross, Fortunately both my homes are in locations with good solar access and intensity so installing solar panels with substantial battery backup has a payback period of around 6 years based on current usage and anticipated sale of surplus power to the grid without an EV. Our country home has single phase supply so we are restricted to supplying 5KVA to the grid for grid balancing reasons. Our Sydney home has 3 phase power and currently there are no limitations on supply as all phases are balanced. Based on our generating capacity and the fact we spend approximately 50% of our time at each residence, I am considering buying second-hand Li-ion batteries removed from EV's when they reach 70% of their original storage capacity to avoid range-anxiety to store non-accessible surplus power off-grid for charging our future EV's. The economics at this time cannot be calculated as it is inevitable our current automotive fossil fuel taxes will be replaced by a road usage tax and the massive increase in solar-generated power being sold to the current grid will inevitably result in a lower purchase price for surplus solar-generated electricity. Off-setting all this will be the bonus of significantly lower electric vehicle servicing costs compared to today's internal combustion engined vehicles. A classic case of the old showman's proverb "what you make on the swings, you probably lose on the roundabouts". | |||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 3775 Registered: 04-2003 |
A quick check of used Li-ion car batteries revealed the following: TOYOTA PRIUS HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY HYBRID BATTERY, 144 VOLT, (UNDER REAR SEAT), AUD1950 Tesla Model S 70 2016 70kWh Lithium-Ion Battery Cell 5.2kWh J134, AUD1999 A new LG Chem Lithium Ion Battery - 6.5kWh - 48V AUD7200 | |||
| ross kowalski Prolific User Username: cdfpw Post Number: 1463 Registered: 11-2015 |
David, Reuse of vehicle batteries for stationary batteries is a great idea. It's too bad battery packs are not standardized to some degree. I know there is a lot of interest in that idea. Also, I have no bones to pick with electric cars. For most people they would be perfectly viable right now, though the transition really won't be faster than the rate the power grid capacity can increase. I always am of the opinion that there are always a mix of vehicle power sources being used and the ratios are what will change. In the near future they will change drastically. Right now the only problem I see is nuclear being a power source for the grid rather than renewables. What fascinating times to be alive. | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2361 Registered: 09-2004 |
Ross my system is mostly off grid. Two Powerwall 2s now with backup gateway. This powers both electric cars and supplies power to the home if a power cut happened. I have a Zappi charge point that can charge the car with any surplus electricity rather than return it to the grid. Added some more solar panels!   | |||
| ross kowalski Prolific User Username: cdfpw Post Number: 1465 Registered: 11-2015 |
Patrick L, If there is ever intercontential tourism again, and the meeting is in England, I think a tour of your solar complex will be in order. Looking at your roof I got to thinking, tile roofs basically last forever so there is no consideration to roof age. In the colonies there are a lot of asphalt roofs and companies won't put solar on a roof if it will be coming down within a few years. People have to think, I need to pay for solar AND a new roof. Of course the payback times are dropping as panels become cheaper and cheaper so the roof thing is less of a problem. | |||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 3776 Registered: 04-2003 |
Ross, If you are thinking of going solar and replacing an asphalt roof [BTW aren't these a fire risk with occupant safety problems?], have a look for an installer who includes a Colorbond coated steel roof in their range. These will outlast your solar panels which will require replacement around the 30 year mark. https://www.lysaght.com/content/lysaght-roof-talking-point-seattle Lysaght is a Bluescope Steel subsidiary and has plants in the USA - if you are interested in getting more information on the availability of Colorbond roofing/cladding in your area, I suggest you contact their Head Office for more information. https://www.bluescope.com/about-us/where-we-are/usa/ The link below covers the technical aspects of Colorbond products and applications: https://steelselect.com.au/materials/colorbond-steel | |||
| ross kowalski Prolific User Username: cdfpw Post Number: 1466 Registered: 11-2015 |
David, Thanks for the links. You couldn't be more right on metal roofs, and they are easy to put up too. No fiberglass to make you itch, 2'x8' or more each panel, they weight far less than an asphalt or tile system, etc. Aluminium roofs don't do anything for me on any level. | |||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 3778 Registered: 04-2003 |
Ross, They are also very corrosion-resistant, much better than plain galvanised steel roofing and the cyclone[hurricane in your language] fixings have been proven in our worst cyclones in North-West Australia and the Northern Territory. Been there in a cyclone and it is an experience you will never forget. I have to declare an interest here, my first job after leaving school was 18.5 years with BHP's [now Bluescope] special steels subsidiary company [Commonwealth Steel Company] reaching senior management level including a period as State Manager West Australia in 1980 before returning to head office in Sydney. I initially started as a Metallurgist trainee and later undertook a post-graduate Masters degree in management with Company sponsorship. However, my interest in materials science, applications and failure investigations has never diminished and continues to the present day. | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2376 Registered: 09-2004 |
The new concept 4680 tabless construction batteries are proved to give 6xmore power with a 16% range increase. Clever buy out by Tesla of the German battery manufacturer ATW Automation who supply Mercedes and BMW. One would have thought that the German auto makers would have bought the company are they getting short on cash! https://www.autospies.com/news/Tesla-Buys-German-Battery-Assembly-Company-That-Supplies-BMW-And-Mercedes-103480/ . | |||
| Trevor Hodgekinson Experienced User Username: wm20 Post Number: 199 Registered: 11-2006 |
While I am not a dyed in the wool Musk worshiper I have spoken on more than one occasion about how consolidated capital is destroying everything it touches. The only reason why Tesla is still making cars and has not been declaired bankrupt is Mr Musk has set up a vertically intergrated business. Just about the only part they buy in are the electric motors and the carpets. This means they can change specification very cheaply very quickly and they have control over the entire shooting match , It also reduces the cost of the vehicles drastically as they are not paying a price for every part that has a profit for the supplier built into it Like their competitors are . Musk can do it because while Tesla has gone public he and the workers fund still have a majority shareholding so he in not beholden to a funds manager or pension fund demanding a 5% return on capital or he will be voted off the board. This is what has happened to just about every large public company . The joke is nearly all of those companies became large and very profitable by being vertically intergrated in their growth stage . The beauty of this for Tesla is no matter which electric car ( in this case ) the customer buys, Tesla will make some good profits as the batteries are the highest profit margin PART ( not IP ) that goes into electric vehicles. As mentioned most big companies started off doing this. When the founding board and founding investors hold the majority shareholding then it is not hard to convince them that using 15¢ of this years dividend to buy the battery plant will yield an extra 5¢ dividend, next year and every other year . Unfortunately when you get big, profit buyers end up becoming the majority shareholders and to a person all of them demand the board maximises the dividened each & every financial year so they can claim to be beating the investment market and their bonuses are usually tied to the % they come in ahead of the general market index. This marks the decline phase of big companies . They go into horizontal intergration buying out their competitors & merging in order to "control the market sector" so they become price setters and not price takers . Next phase is the outsourcing of the supply chain so they sell off all of the parts manufacturing capacity they spent a fortune establishing and the proceeds of these sales bringing the company back to it's "core business " usually get paid out as dividends so are lost to the company forever . The final nail is oppertunity cost. This is the most criminal tool used by accountants to justify destroying a sound business because it is always done in hind sight . So if Tesla had not bought the battery factory but inplace invested the $ 50,000,000 in Wanker Coin and Wanker Coin shares made a 200% profit then putting the money into the battery factory is seen as a LOS of $100,000,000 profit to the shareholders and there is no shortage of litigaton funders who would use this to sue the board for the "lost" income . | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2381 Registered: 09-2004 |
Looks like E Musk has it in the Bag!!!!!!11 | |||
| Trevor Hodgekinson Frequent User Username: wm20 Post Number: 201 Registered: 11-2006 |
It is what happens when the founder of a business remains in control of The business . I play with BSA's and it is interesting that while the original board were in control the company not only made sufficient profit to pay off the original debts for the 25 acrea @ Small Heath + the price of all of the new plant & equipment they also managed to buy several of their suppliers and pay a divident with the exception of the years of the Great Depression , when they still made a sufficient profit to buy even more of their failing suppliers rather than take a dividend. During the non war years they maintained stocks of barrel steel & forging steel and maintianed all of the gun making machines in top order, such that in the first week after the UK declairing war on Germany ( WWII ) they had supplied 10,000 new Enfield Short rifles to the UK army who had insufficient rifles for the recruits and had also loaned 200 tons of steel to the government rifle factory ( Royal Enfield ) who had neither any operational gun making machines nor any steel to feed it with. Post WWII the money men had taken over the boadroom and set the business down the path to oblivion. Tesla will eventually suffer the same fate . As borrowings increase the financiers will demand a seat at the board table and the business will then start down the road to ruin | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2398 Registered: 09-2004 |
Tesla company to be added to the US S&P 500. Musk's company now value up to $500bn and he now becomes the second worlds richest person like 128bn. As for my Tesla S it is a constant driving pleasure with improvements sent to the car as if by magic that are software downloaded upgrades, the auto pilot auto lane change is just one of the perfected items. My main problem now with advancing years is to adjust with driving other vehicles after the Tesla's on board technics that allow the car to drive its self, traffic lights a doddle with exceleration up to the s/limit leaving the Porsche's standing. I find cars with a manual box is an experience on route with traffic lights! Interesting times in the new world when things are back to a new normal way of going out with our classic cars. | |||
| Larry Kavanagh Frequent User Username: shadow_11 Post Number: 712 Registered: 05-2016 |
I recently took my Silver Shadow 11 for a good drive and was stopped at a police routine Covid-19 checkpoint on the way home. The nice policeman agreed with me that giving the old girl a regular outing would be considered essential travel and he bid me happy motoring. He must have been a classic car enthusiast. | |||
| Hubert Kelly Frequent User Username: h_kelly Post Number: 408 Registered: 03-2012 |
Hi Larry , I saw a silver Spirit out for a run yesterday at the Ashtown roundabout Phoenix Park. A rare sight. | |||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 3843 Registered: 04-2003 |
Patrick, Waiting for our LG Neo solar panels to arrive from South Korea - they were due this week but there is port congestion due to workplace COVID restrictions. The earliest we can hope for is installation the week before Xmas at the moment. One disappointment is our NSW supply authority has imposed a 5kW upload limit for both single and 3 phase supplies however I am hoping our ability to provide a continuous 24 hour upload will maximise our output to the national grid and the consequent financial benefit. . | |||
| Larry Kavanagh Frequent User Username: shadow_11 Post Number: 713 Registered: 05-2016 |
A rare sight indeed Hubert, the only other RR or B I've seen during the past 12 months was a rough Silver Shadow on the N 11 but I haven't been out much. | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2402 Registered: 09-2004 |
Still time to get on board, looking good for many years! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAzeORMO8fI | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2423 Registered: 09-2004 |
Tesla Powerwall growth looking good in OZ. https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-powerwall-australia-34-mw-growth-2020/?fbclid=IwAR06bS1_xzXFvqMoRJVGmpogNy0wqrYBxebhDr9YwakaUIa3vFRXohcSTXE | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2427 Registered: 09-2004 |
Just maybe great future news for Somerset! Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said Somerset “has the manufacturing skill and competence to be able to sustain an excellent giga factory,” adding that the government is “considering and looking” at the site near Bridegwater. | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2430 Registered: 09-2004 |
Looking good! https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/elon-musk-eyeing-uk-site-currently-under-construction-for-huge-tesla-factory/ar-BB1eUry4?ocid=msedgdhp | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2485 Registered: 09-2004 |
Model "y" can be built every 38-44 seconds in China. No air fitted it seems on the 3 and Y, been spoilt with the "S". No sign of the German Giga factory starting production with all the bureaucracy delaying the "y" etc,a hidden agenda!!!!! https://cleantechnica.com/2021/12/27/every-38-44-seconds-a-new-tesla-model-y-leaves-giga-shanghais-workshop/ | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2522 Registered: 09-2004 |
Tesla can start production at the Gigafactory in Germany at last! (Tesla Can Start Production In Germany Under Conditional Approval German officials said Friday that Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) had been approved to start commercial production at its new Brandenburg factory, near Berlin. Under the conditional license, Tesla can start manufacturing... March 6, 2022) | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2526 Registered: 09-2004 |
Yippeeeeeeeeeeeee https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/elon-musk-hands-over-first-made-in-germany-teslas/ar-AAVonJG?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531 | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2569 Registered: 09-2004 |
Tesla shares are up today a few billion dollars Elon has found a CEO for Twitter. BTW my Model S has had a few faults some i have repaired myself ie power tailgate cinch motor one presenting door handle micro switch. Ranger for the free super charging upgrade. Airbag front recall, broke screen replaced with modified camera for highway auto pilot All free of charge. MCU replaced as not fit for purpose all free of charge. Charging works well from the Powerwalls free when the sun shines eco 7 when cloudy all in all a brilliant car cant wait for the Plaid if it ever comes to the UK.  | |||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 4192 Registered: 04-2003 |
Patrick, What Powerwall capacity do you have? How many panels are installed and do you have any idea of your daily solar power generation? I have 24 LG Neo panels which have a maximum combined output set at 9.6kW to comply with a Government legislated maximum of 10kW for home installations - fortunately we are in a high sun exposure region and peak daily generation in summer exceeds 52kW. Government regulation to protect the now privately owned coal-fired power stations [formerly government-owned and operated] prevents full use of this capacity. The installed private solar power generation capability in NSW now exceeds the maximum daily demand from all users. Of course, our national grid has not been upgraded in time to handle the widespread high output commercial solar power installations that are replacing the concentrated huge coal-fired power stations in the coal field region of the State. The National grid is also playing a delayed catch-up due to the unexpected dramatic increase in widely scattered solar generation facilities instead of the concentrated coal-fired power stations from the past. I have 4 Tesla Powerwall batteries giving 52kW total storage which should cover our usage and future car charging. I am currently running completely off-grid during our current winter to test our installation before cancelling our mains power connection in September. In accordance with my "belts and braces" philosophy, I have purchased a 6.5kVa petrol generator and installed a "plug-in" connection to allow charging of the Tesla batteries in the event of storm damage to or failure of the solar panels and/or unexpected high power usage. | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2570 Registered: 09-2004 |
David some sun and cloudy but still generated a fair amount, warm enough to spray the oil mix underside of the RR? Lucky to have the FIT's payments now 68.30 pence per units generated! Do you have Gateway powerwall?  | |||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 4194 Registered: 04-2003 |
Yes - have Gateway Power Wall but restricted to 9.6kW maximum by NSW electricity grid supply conditions. Note early system shutdown when battery charging completed. You might be wondering why I want to go off-grid - the quarterly access charge to mains power in our region has increased to over $500 and day time home installed solar power generation exceeds total demand so no incentive for the supply authorities to increase buy-in prices and I am expecting home systems will get further reductions in maximum daily upload supply and even lower prices for what they do supply. Will be installing higher rated inverter for obvious reasons when going entirely off-grid to expedite electric car charging by using maximum output of our panels.  | |||
| Trevor Hodgekinson Frequent User Username: wm20 Post Number: 292 Registered: 11-2006 |
The problem is when the solar power production is at it's peak, the grid consumption is past it's peak except in mid summer when all of the energy hungry poorly designed totally inappropriate houses we have been building in Australia for the past 30 years need the air conditioning running flat chat. To work properly we need micro grids feeding into a big battery and the big battery connected to the grid so the grid only sees 10,000 batteries and not 2,000,000 roof top power stations. Apparently Sydney alone has enough correctly orientated roof space to power all of Australia from solar power. But of course that is not as "sexy" as chopping down forests to build gigantic solar farms. Humans really are the most stupid creatures on the planet. Even in the city the connection fee for me is over $ 200 a year. However just like water we will have to pay it whether we are on or off grid as it is an "availability" charge, not a connection fee. I was going to turn the water off as we have tanks and no sewer or drain connections but was told "if the pipes run past your property they you will still have to pay the fees." . | |||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 4195 Registered: 04-2003 |
Trevor, "I was going to turn the water off as we have tanks and no sewer or drain connections but was told if the pipes run past your property they you will still have to pay the fees." This is the same here on the Mid-North Coast of NSW. I live in fear the vested interests involved with our privatised electricity generation and distribution suppliers will demand this practice applies to them as well to counter the current incentives for us to go fully off-grid. | |||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 2571 Registered: 09-2004 |
Here in the UK the latest thing is they are trying to make everyone have a smart meter. Well I am not signing up to that, they then have full control of yous unit costing times etc. I to am locked in on a daily standing charge much the same cost as Trevor's IE cannot go of grid as I would loose my FIT payments ie Generated paid units. I also cannot use a generator to recharge a power wall 2 if needed in winter or some cloudy days. A nother good generation day apart from the 1.7kwh to the grid @ 4.82p!  | |||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 4196 Registered: 04-2003 |
After 3 months of a successful completely off-grid trial, I will be going off-grid permanently at the end of June following the winter solstice on the 23rd June. My 6.5kVA petrol generator has been modified by the solar installer to combine the 2 x 15amp 240V outlets to a single 240V 32amp connection using Tesla components and a changeover connection with appropriate switch gear has been installed on our main switchboard to replace the 240volt mains power connection. When this occurs, all switch gear and the time of use meter will be removed from the main switchboard by the electricity supplier. I may install another 2.4kW of panels to increase winter output as our current 9.6kW Fronius invertor seems unable to go higher than 7kW output in full sun conditions both summer and winter. I have to check whether this output is regulated by the electricity supplier through the grid or is solely due to panel orientation {panels are 380watt LGNeo 2}. | |||
| Trevor Hodgekinson Frequent User Username: wm20 Post Number: 293 Registered: 11-2006 |
Well in Sydney we can not go off grid as the "supply availability charge" is levied regardless of weather you are connected or not I checked this . Also it seems goes up a with every bill . Privatising the power generation was a stupid thing to do but of course we had the problem that no State could afford to build new power stations & the old deal of the Commonwealth splitting the cost 50:50 with the States was cancelled by the Howard government thus forcing the States hand , except of course in WA who are awash with royalty money ( at the moment ) which was no surprise as Mr Howard has been an ardent believer in Market Rule since his uni days when he regularly gave public lectures . So now we have a the silly situation with the Government owning the poles & wires an then having to decide if they will do what is best for the country & consumers ( local micro grids feeding into batteries ) or what is best for the suppliers , ( extending the input lines to solar farms ) . Solar farms are of course a travistry as they prevent photosynthesis happening in their shadows thus reducing CO2 pull down where as roof top solar makes no difference to CO2 pull down plus insulates the roof thus reducing the houses power consumption. Back in 2010 a survey found that there were enough residential roof spaces correctly orientated in greater Sydney alone to generate enough solar power to power the entire country. And that did not include commercial spaces like warehouses . Perhaps the cockroaches will do better running the planet after we pollute ourselves out of existance . | |||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 4198 Registered: 04-2003 |
Trevor, To the best of my knowledge, a service availability charge for mains electricity does not apply in NSW for off-grid installations. I checked with our local electricity service provider about going off-grid in regard to having the mains disconnected completely and was advised this was possible and they would remove the existing meter from the premises accordingly. https://www.offgridenergy.com.au/saving-money/off-grid-rural-nsw/ If a service availability charge were to apply, it would be a simple solution of exporting surplus power from a couple of used electric car batteries removed from vehicles after losing 30% of their capacity and adding 5kW of extra solar panels to keep them charged to supply the current maximum 5kW grid feed limit to cover the supply connection fee. . |
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