This is a very short post that will show you how you can start a Tesla with a sudden dead Low Voltage battery in an emergency. Also jump start Petrol cars with a dead battery. This is not a sponsored post

TLDR? If you do not want to read this whole post scroll to the bottom and watch the last video from Everyday Chris

If you have a dead low voltage battery, your first point of call is to call the Tesla service team or a specialist. Do not follow my advice as I am not an expert. I would do this if I was in the Australian outback and out of phone coverage. This post is to remind myself to follow these procedures in an emergency.

Before buying an EV I researched all the pros and cons of a EV

Biggest lessons

• Carry a Tesla Universal Mobile Charger in the frunk
• Do not rely on Public Tesla Super Chargers (Use https://www.plugshare.com/ to find alternate public chargers as Australia has less public chargers)
• Carry a Tesla Type repair Kit in the frunk
• Carry a portable tyre pressure pump in the frunk
• Carry Type repair plugs in the frunk
• Carry a number of Charge Adapters (3Phase, Caravan, TYpe 2 AC to Type 2 AC, 10A, 15A) in the frunk
• Carry a 10A and 15A extension lead in case I need to charger 35M away from a plug in the frunk

This is what I carry in my frunk

Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail

One of My biggest remaining fears of not being prepared is having a low voltage battery issue causing the car to not start.

The Tesla Battery has a high voltage DC battery under the car, but it also has a low voltage battery (12V lead acid in older models and a 16V LiPO in new models) like a Petrol car that powers the computer and all the buttons.  If the low voltage battery is dead it cannot startup the car circuits to then start the high voltage battery to then recharge the low voltage battery. If the low power battery dies from age or cold temperatures than the car cannot start.

The car does have a procedure to allow you to access the frunk with a parable battery (only works when the low voltage battery is dead so no one can just break in). I do carry around an Energizer A22 12V Battery for this purpose just incase.

All about the Tesla 16V LiPo Low Voltage Battery

Portable Power Pack (Tesla and Petrol Jump pack)

fyi: The following Noco Power Pack I have chosen to rescue my car and petrol cars in need.

I decided on a NOCO – 3000A Lithium Jump Starter – GB150 UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter as a power pack with at least 3000A. I hear if you go under 1000A the voltage provided can drop to low. The NOCO – 1500A Lithium Jump Starter – GB50 or NOCO – 2000A Lithium Jump Starter – GB70 are a good choice to start a Tesla

The GB models auto detects batteries (e.g Lead Acid) and it has a manual override for non detected batteries. It has a flash light also and can charge other device.

The GB models are preferred over the newer GBX models by heavy users.  This should only drop 3% charge in 12 months with no usage as long as I keep it between -20c and 50c.

 

Recharging is simple, I just plug in the USB C plus or the provided 12V Cigarette Lighter plug

I tested the GB150 in override mode and it delivers 12.4V

Jump Starting a Tesla

If I had a dead low voltage are battery and could open the frunk then what.

There is a procedure to start the Tesla with an external power source by connecting an External battery.

Recovery Process 1 (Connect External Power Source to Jump the car)

Summary:  

• Connecting the external power source to the jump points under the hood and press the override button for 3 seconds (red exclamation)
• The car can then be open it opened (then place the keycard in the center console)
• Press the brake to start the car
• Disconnect the external power supply (max external power connect time is 20 seconds)

Recovery Process 2 (Connect External Power Source, Disconnect the 16V Battery then reconnect it)

• Disconnect the 16V Battery
• Connect the external power source to the jump points under the hood and press the override button for 3 seconds (red exclamation)
• The car can then be open it opened (then place the keycard in the center console)
• Press the brake to start the car
• Reconnect the 16V Battery
• Disconnect the external power supply (max external power connect time is 20 seconds)

Summary: Because the newer LiPo batteries have an internal Mosfet to protect the battery, and if the method above does now work, there is a backup procedure to leave the external power source connected, then disconnecting the 16V LiPO then reconnecting it.

If attempting to activate Transport Mode (to winch the vehicle onto a flatbed truck), the low voltage battery is not required to self-recover. Leave the power supply connected continuously until the vehicle has been secured.

Jump Start Petrol cars with a dead battery

This is how you jump start a Petrol car with the Noco Boost

Safe driving

TLDR?

Still Reading? Check out this tech dive into the Tesla Model Y Low Voltage Charging System from WeberAuto (Prof John D Kelly) 

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