Thanks for sharing! 
Nice to see folks messing with 2018+ hardware.
Nice to see folks messing with 2018+ hardware.
Extracting more power from Nissan LEAF motors
Hi forum! I recently embarked on a journey to increase the performance of my LEAF. I've made a video series on this subject, might be interesting for many here
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Thanks! I just completed the final video on this subject, great results!
So what battery size do you need with this size of inverter?
I am hoping that the 40kWh pack will be up for the taskSo what battery size do you need with this size of inverter?
All Leaf packs are nominally 360 volts. A higher-power inverter doesn't need a larger battery, but to take advantage of the capability of the inverter the battery must be able to withstand the discharge rate; Nissan only uses an inverter allowed to run this much power with the 62 kWh battery. With the 40 kWh battery power is limited to 110 kW, and with the lower-capacity batteries the limit was 80 kW. DIY builders often exceed the factory power limits.So what battery size do you need with this size of inverter?
YEP!! - I'm pulling 400 kW from a Chevy Volt pack -DIY builders often exceed the factory power limits.
The factory limits are for no warranty claims and 100,000 miles - "Tuning" has always "exceeded the factory limits"
Here's a list of inverters for ZE1 incase you are buying one:
ZE1 inverters (2018-2022)
291A0-5SA1A - 110kW inverter
291A0-5SA1B - 110kW inverter
291A0-5SA0A - 110kW inverter
291A0-5SN0A - 160kW inverter
291A0-5SN1A - 160kW inverter
ZE1 inverters (2018-2022)
291A0-5SA1A - 110kW inverter
291A0-5SA1B - 110kW inverter
291A0-5SA0A - 110kW inverter
291A0-5SN0A - 160kW inverter
291A0-5SN1A - 160kW inverter
I now have the 160kW inverter mounted and confirmed working
So this is a Nissan part - you worry too much about the battery - unless you are using it for towing you will not be able to keep using the power for more than a few seconds
I'm using Chevy Volt modules - 5C in the Chevy - I draw 28C - for a few seconds AND I'm still using the Chevy fuse!
I'm using Chevy Volt modules - 5C in the Chevy - I draw 28C - for a few seconds AND I'm still using the Chevy fuse!
I'm not that worried for my own car, I'm just trying to prevent someone installing this mod on their gen1 LEAF with stock battery and taking it to far
Does anyone know the peak current limit for these first generation (24kwh and 30kwh) Nissan Leaf batteries? Would it be possible to power a 220kw Tesla small drive unit with these batteries? I'm guessing not, but I am struggling to find peak current numbers for these battery packs. Thank you!
The problem with "peak current limit" is that it depends massively on the time - for continuous - as in minutes - 3C is probably max - and that will empty your battery in 20 minutesDoes anyone know the peak current limit for these first generation (24kwh and 30kwh) Nissan Leaf batteries? Would it be possible to power a 220kw Tesla small drive unit with these batteries? I'm guessing not, but I am struggling to find peak current numbers for these battery packs. Thank you!
For a few seconds down the straight before braking for the bend?? - I'm drawing 28C from Chevy volt modules
I suspect a Leaf would NOT be able to match that
But 10C for five seconds should be OK
Like any performance tuning you are not going to match the standard bits in terms of life and risk
Dala you are a pioneer doing great work! With this procedure a 110 or 160kw inverter can be used with a Resolve-EV as well, correct? You make it so easy to just....oh you know...DOUBLE THE POWER!
Thanks, and YES! One of the first things I did was to message all my findings to Isak, and he now has confirmed the 110kW inverter to work perfectly with the Resolve controller. 160kW has identical commands, so both will work!Dala you are a pioneer doing great work! With this procedure a 110 or 160kw inverter can be used with a Resolve-EV as well, correct? You make it so easy to just....oh you know...DOUBLE THE POWER!
@Duncan , thank you for the reply! I was unaware of the C rating of batteries and therefore did some reading last night. You said, the Leaf pack could probably do 3C continuous (I'm guessing this is not enough to power the 220kw motor) but it may be able to do 10C for four or five seconds (which would be enough to power the 220kw motor). That'd be great if this was the case. That's all I really need. I'm curious why a Leaf battery may be able to do 10C and why the Volt battery is so different so that it can do almost three times this at 28C? Supposedly the BMW i3 battery has a high C value also?
@Dala, thank you for your videos. It's super exciting to push the generation 1 leaf to 160kW!
@Electric Land Cruiser - We spoke on the phone a week or two about your Nissan Leaf battery pack, I'm also in Denver area. I'd be interested in your pack for sale if there's anyway it could be used. I just love how small the Nissan Leaf Modules are. They would be super easy to work with if they would work.
Thank you!
@Dala, thank you for your videos. It's super exciting to push the generation 1 leaf to 160kW!
@Electric Land Cruiser - We spoke on the phone a week or two about your Nissan Leaf battery pack, I'm also in Denver area. I'd be interested in your pack for sale if there's anyway it could be used. I just love how small the Nissan Leaf Modules are. They would be super easy to work with if they would work.
Thank you!
Hi Dala! Thank you so much for sharing this info. About how much should I expect to pay for one of the 160KW inverters. Do you have a special source or is it 'salvage yards' around the world?Here's a list of inverters for ZE1 incase you are buying one:
ZE1 inverters (2018-2022)
291A0-5SA1A - 110kW inverter
291A0-5SA1B - 110kW inverter
291A0-5SA0A - 110kW inverter
291A0-5SN0A - 160kW inverter
291A0-5SN1A - 160kW inverter
Thanks again.
Bill Bitner
Salvage yards for the win! Nissan quotes >3k for an inverter, but depending on the salvage yard these can be had for between 500-1300USD depending on the place.Hi Dala! Thank you so much for sharing this info. About how much should I expect to pay for one of the 160KW inverters. Do you have a special source or is it 'salvage yards' around the world?
Thanks again.
Bill Bitner
@Dala - Hi Dala, I'm curious what you think the limit of the Nissan Leaf batteries are and if there is chance they could power a 220kw Tesla small drive unit for short periods of time, 5 to 10 seconds?The problem with "peak current limit" is that it depends massively on the time - for continuous - as in minutes - 3C is probably max - and that will empty your battery in 20 minutes
For a few seconds down the straight before braking for the bend?? - I'm drawing 28C from Chevy volt modules
I suspect a Leaf would NOT be able to match that
But 10C for five seconds should be OK
Also, is there a test I could perform with a Nissan Leaf module to get an idea of the C values before buying and building a battery pack?
Thank you!
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