Darthamerica
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This DIY option is not practical for the scenario described in the OP. You could certainly try it. But even if it worked, a slight environmental change could negate any benefit. This is especially important if your operating the truck close to the limit of it’s range. The results of a “bad day” could be anything from delaying your departure an extra day to you getting stranded out in the middle of nowhere.15 miles is 15 miles. That's a long way in one day of sun. It would take a long time to walk 15 miles and you couldn't bring all your stuff with you. You're not going to drive across the country with this, but for extended boondocking it can help you get back out. The usual problem with extended boondocking in an EV is your range gradually disappears with slow but predictable phantom drain. That can be a problem if you used 1/2 your range to get in, and you need almost 1/2 your range to get out. That's slim margins for phantom drain and estimation errors. You may or may not make it without adding some daily range from solar.
For those more interested in doing this than arguing, I'll show you a system that can help add range to your Cybertruck as you boondock for extended periods. In the Dual Motor Cybertruck you will need about 3,870 Wh per day (not including charging losses, transmission losses and phantom drain) to add 10 miles of EPA range per day. Generously assuming you will need to produce 30% more electricity to account for losses, you would need 5,031 Wh/day of solar production.
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To this 1200-watt, 6 panel system, it would be necessary to add two 3 into 1 solar panel plug adapters and a bonding ground plug (to fool the Cybertruck that the Jackery outlet is grounded) for a total system cost of around $4,600. Some solar panel extension cords could be convenient too, but I haven't included those.
These six folding solar panels will stack into a space only 9.5 inches tall, and 24"x21" (WxD). The solar panels each weigh 17.5 lbs. The battery generator is 10.5"x12"x15" and weighs 43 lbs. for a total system weight under 150 lbs, including the solar panels. This will have near zero impact on range, compared to how much it can add on the first day.
The 6 panels in this system are 200 Watts each for a total rating of 1200 watts. However, solar panels rarely produce their full rated output. Under full sun, you should be able to conservatively get in the neighborhood of 900-1000 wh (or almost a kWh for every hour of full sun). That means in 5 to 6 hours of direct sun, they can produce more than the 5,031 Wh needed to end up with 3,870 Wh (conservatively) in the EV after accounting for all losses. That's 10 miles of EPA range in a Dual Motor. This assumes Tesla optimizes the software to bring Cybertrucks phantom drain into line with their other EVs (which is a good assumption, I think).
Also, the panels will produce electricity in the early morning hours and late afternoon hours, albeit at a lower rate, this can be used each day too, by charging up the 2.1 kWh battery generator. That production is in addition to the 5,031 Wh calculated for production during the peak 5-6 hours of the day, when the vehicle is actually charging.
Now $4,600 is a lot to spend for slow charging in the backcountry. But additional range may not always be the priority, the extra electricity could also be used in the camp, to run a Dometic cooler, to make coffee or espresso (I have an Illy brand capsule espresso machine that is super efficient with the electrons and makes great espresso), to run an electric blanket in your tent on cold nights (deserts can get surprising cold at night), or even for a Starlink dish to get weather forecasts and stay in touch if out of cell range.
The point here is that electricity can be valuable and convenient in the backcountry, and you will have a good amount of it whenever the sun shines to use as you see fit, yes, including adding range to your EV. These numbers are not pie-in-the-sky numbers if you have sunny weather.
If this is not a use case you are interested in, that's fine, I'll probably never spend the money as I don't boondock for extended periods. The point is, for those who do, and who value flexibility over the cost of the system, it really works. After a few days at one camp, you might find you have enough range to confidently move camp 10-20 miles deeper into the backcountry. The possibilities expand when you can make your own electricity.
This post is not meant to argue, it’s meant to highlight the risk involved. EV forums are full of post where owners have experienced higher than expected consumption and vampire drain. It’s no different from not taking a spare tire on such a trip. That’s why the more capable systems I spec’d previously had margin built in.
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