How Does Tesla's Motor and Battery System Work?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the workings of Tesla's motor and battery system, including specifications, power output, and comparisons with other motors, specifically an impact driver. Participants explore the relationship between voltage, current, and power, as well as the feasibility of using a smaller motor for automotive applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the current and voltage drawn by Tesla's motor from the battery and how long the battery lasts under specific conditions.
  • Another participant provides a voltage value for the Tesla battery and hints at the relationship between voltage, amperage, and power, suggesting that the motor operates at a fraction of its peak power while cruising.
  • A participant compares the torque output of Tesla's motor to that of a Ridgid impact driver, questioning the feasibility of using the impact driver's motor in a small car.
  • Responses challenge the assumptions about the RPM of the impact driver and its torque characteristics, raising questions about peak torque and continuous torque output.
  • Participants discuss the limitations of the Ridgid battery's capacity and its potential to power a car effectively, noting the short operational duration of such batteries.
  • One participant encourages others to calculate and verify the power output of the impact driver, suggesting that assumptions should be backed by numerical evidence.
  • Another participant emphasizes the impracticality of using a small battery to power a car, referencing external resources for further context.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of using the impact driver motor for automotive applications, with some questioning the assumptions made about torque and RPM. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the practical application of the impact driver's specifications in a car.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not reached consensus on the calculations related to power output and the operational characteristics of the motors discussed. There are unresolved questions about the definitions of torque and power in the context of different motors.

Curious007
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So I'm wondering about Motor being used in Tesla Auto/Car and battery which powers it. From their website the specs are like this:

1] 302 hp (225 kW) 5,000-8,000 rpm for 60 kWh battery gives 317 lb-ft (430 Nm) @ 0-5,000 rpm
2] 362 hp (270 kW) 6,000-9,500 rpm for 85 kWh battery gives 325 lb-ft (440 Nm) @ 0-5,800 rpm
3] 416 hp (310 kW) 5,000-8,600 rpm for 85 kWh battery gives 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) @ 0-5,100 rpm

I want to know how much Current and Voltage does the Motor draws from the battery at given instance and how long would the battery would last? Can anyone explain by taking one of the example from above? They claim that the Car can drive for 200+ miles before battery juice is over.
 
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According to this, the battery voltage is 375 V. http://www.roperld.com/science/TeslaModelS.htm

So do you know the equation that relates voltage, amperage and power? Since we don't like to just spoonfeed, can you give it a shot?

I'll give you a hint: while cruising, the motor outputs a very small fraction of its peak power.
 
I got closer to the answer from the Voltage of the battery, which I was not aware of. Now I have another question:
The motor peak torque output is = 317 lb-ft (430 Nm) with given parameters.
Now here [link below] is the 18 v Impact driver from Ridgid company, which claims torque of 1750 In lbs ( almost 200 Nm).
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-H...t-Driver-R86034K/202581838?N=18g#.UabSQc28rOM

The question is : Can I run a small car, like "Smart Car" size car using this motor in Impact driver?
 
Probably not - at what RPM does the impact driver turn?
 
The Li-ion batteries in the Ridgid tools come in 1.5 and 3.0 amp-hr capacities. If you get a car running with the battery and motor, it won't run for long.
 
The RPM = 2400. RIDGID and similar tool makers of Impact Drives claim their batteries run around 20-30 min or so.
What seems interesting to me is Torque of 1750 in-lbs at 2400 rpm generated by this small 18 V battery and this small motor, which is may be 3 inches long and 2 inch in diameter.
So in nutshell the Output from RIDGID motor and battery is 2400 RPM and 1750 in-lbs, which is almost half of Tesla motor's output. Does this make any sense or I'm blabbering?
 
1. It's less than 1/4.
2. Are you sure that torque occurs at peak RPM? I'd bet it doesn't.
3. Are you sure that torque is continuous? It is, after all, an impact driver.
4. Are you sure the the duration is at peak output? I'd bet it isn't.

Do you know the equation that relates torque, rpm and power? How much horsepower do you think that impact driver might deliver?

You know, you could take a shot at calculating these things and verify them instead of guessing...
 
Curious - you should put numbers on things.

http://www.allaboutbatteries.com/Battery-Energy.html

A battery small enough to pick up can't move a car very far.

http://www.designnews.com/author.asp?section_id=1366&doc_id=238863

click the image to watch the slideshow
 
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