That final item (Voltage 350-450 volts) is the one
that said "wait" to me. I know the difficulties of running a boat
with both 24 and 12 volt systems. At this point this technology,
though exciting has its limitations for application aboard cruising
boats in my opinion.
Archie aboard M/V Irish Lady (a
Monk36) said this: "The problem is adapting the new tech to old
12/24v tech in a boat. They will build inverters to go with the new
batteries, but will they be acceptable to use in boats? If there is
profit, someone will marinize them."
The main thing is, this Tesla
battery is for a house. It is designed with A/C power
considerations in mind, not the 12-volt world I live in. According
to Tesla's website the Powerwall is a "Wall mounted, rechargeable
lithium ion battery with liquid thermal control." Also, they state
"Single phase and three phase utility grid compatible."
Basically, it's designed to
supplement power used in a house. Of course the Powerwall alone is
not enough. Also required are solar panels, wiring and more. The technology is
exciting and if ashore I'd certainly investigate it thoroughly.
To understand the technology you
must know what exactly a battery is. Simply put, a battery stores
energy. Whatever you put in can be removed, much like a pitcher
water in your refrigerator. If you don't refill the jug, it will
empty. So too will your battery empty of power.
Yes, solar panels can put back some of the power used and
a large enough solar array will indeed keep up with usage. At this
point however solar panels need to (in my view) increase efficiency
too.
I currently have three solar panels aboard Seaweed.
Two are on
the pilothouse and the third cross-wise over the cockpit. Eventually
I'd like two more 100 watt
Renogy panels. That, with three more
Group 29 marine batteries from Walmart should mean a totally
decadent life off
the grid for me.
Except for water. I cannot make that, yet.
This Tesla battery [http://www.teslamotors.com/powerwall] is a step and a positive one.
When the costs come down and the size decreases too, well, sign me
up.
Gosh, it would be good to have
enough power generation to run one of those RV rooftop
air-conditioning units without the Kubota engine or a generator
running.
That's a maybe someday item for
me. If I were tied long-term to a dock I'd definitely want an air
conditioner aboard here in Florida. It gets h-o-t.