[brian_]

This might have been partly a deliberate effort on Tesla's part to keep people from easily reusing(and abusing) Mod 3 modules.

Perhaps, but I suspect they don't care about that. Fewer modules reduces assembly and interconnection complexity, so it seems like a natural evolution to me. They probably don't care about having to replace more cells in a single-module repair replacement, because they just replace the whole pack anyway.

I wonder if the whole pack, possibly with the electronics hump, could be used under larger vehicles, like your van?

I've wondered the same thing about most EV packs (Leaf, Golf, Bolt...), since they are all basically flat plus lumps under seats, and often include at least some of these supporting components. Because there is only one lump on this one (at the back for support components), it might be a simpler and thus particularly good candidate.

I'm picturing a compact pickup truck with the pack under the rear part of the cab and front part of the box, but since large packs are quite wide, the truck would need a custom frame (not the traditional ladder frame with nearly parallel rails).

 

[brian_]

Are overall pack dimensions called out in the video?

I only fast-forwarded through the video (I couldn't take and hour and a half of this sort of garage chat), but I didn't see a tape measure appear at any point.

I wonder if the whole pack, possibly with the electronics hump, could be used under larger vehicles, like your van?

It looks like the two longer central modules (25s) might fit in Kevin's under-floor box if they are not too long; the question is whether one both of the shorter side modules (23s) would fit across the van anywhere. Is a model 3 module more than twice as long as a Model S/X module? Fitting the whole pack, if possible, would be a more severe structural change, especially if it intruded into the rear suspension structure area.

The Model 3 is not as large as Model S or X, but it is still a large car, with 2,880 mm (113.2 in) wheelbase, so smaller vehicles seem likely to run out of length to accommodate the full pack, or even the modules (because each module runs the length of the pack).

The Tesla powered Mercedes Vito van project might be a better match for the whole-pack approach; it abandons the original structure and suspension, and has ended up with an above-floor rear hump anyway...

 

[brian_]

I doubt there would be much interest in using these modules in 48 volt systems; the likely modification would be like the Model S/X mod. That means doubling the number of cells in series (and of course halving the number in parallel) by splitting stock cell groups in two and adding interconnections.

Doubling to 46s or 50s could allow moderate range and power with only two modules, or ~180 V system voltage with a single module... in a vehicle with a long but not necessarily wide space available.

 

[brian_]

Jehu has produced a shorter version of the EVTV video
...

Excellent! Thanks for the link.

If this is the "less chatty" version, the original must be unbearable.

The funniest thing in this - which I realize is not intended as humour - is when they take one module off one side of the pack and the rest of the pack almost falls over to the other side because it had not occurred to anyone that half a ton of battery pack should be on an adequate table (or the floor). Funny now, but that must have caused some hearts to race!

One bit of data: the cell count in a group is 46. That's an even number, so that is compatible with the idea of cutting plates to split each group in two for 46s and 50s modules... although of course BMS details are yet to be worked out.