Differences in 2024 4xe PHEV system - Willys vs Rubicon

[Bzinsky]

So do you think a System like RedArc is less efficient then running power off the Jeep. Or One would think a small Honda generator would be even more efficient then running the Jeep engine.

Redarc looks like it’s just a sine wave inverter. Likely standard issue stuff. As for the generator, I have no idea, but as much as I hate the sound of the jeep 2.0, it sure as hell beats the noise of a generator.

Also a generator has to run constantly as far as I know, jeep just has to run to top off the battery as needed, you are pulling juice from the battery.

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[evo8904]

So do you think a System like RedArc is less efficient then running power off the Jeep. Or One would think a small Honda generator would be even more efficient then running the Jeep engine.

i would definitely think that a honda generator would be more efficient. Those are nice! I didn’t want to spend Honda money, so I bought 2 Champion dual fuel 2500 generators and the link.

 

[Jtphoto]

Redarc looks like it’s just a sine wave inverter. Likely standard issue stuff. As for the generator, I have no idea, but as much as I hate the sound of the jeep 2.0, it sure as hell beats the noise of a generator.

Also a generator has to run constantly as far as I know, jeep just has to run to top off the battery as needed, you are pulling juice from the battery.

I’ve used the Honda generators and they are near silent. None the less the same principles apply you can charge deep cell battery packs with the generator and run on battery power all night. Check out the RedArc systems the Aussies use off grid.
Seriously though, this is nothing new. Even back 50 years ago when camping with the kids, the car would charge the camp battery as we drove from camp to camp and then we would have battery power for a few days off that. Simply start the vehicle up ever few days to top up the battery and good to go. I know now a days there are higher “camping demands”, but isn’t that what camp is about?
Personally I’d rather have a stand alone system then be permanently attached and dependent on my vehicle.

 

[BXFXJeep]

 

[Bzinsky]

Personally I’d rather have a stand alone system then be permanently attached and dependent on my vehicle.

I can definitely understand that, unless we’re talking about a vehicle that already includes a 500lb, $10k, 18kwh battery, and a direct injected 270hp generator with a 400v output.

The 4xe’s factory hardware would put aussie’s overlanding rigs to shame from a power perspective, just need a way to tap into it.

 

[EVTruckin]

So do you think a System like RedArc is less efficient then running power off the Jeep. Or One would think a small Honda generator would be even more efficient then running the Jeep engine.

I have read a lot of reviews on portable generators. They are not very efficient, especially for loads that are either light or just above the load that causes RPM to be raised (on an inverter generator). Only once you get to 4+ kW where the generator runs at ~90% of its max continuous rating do they achieve decent efficiency.

With the 4xe, any excess power generated should be getting stored in the battery, so they Jeep can run intermittently. I will run some tests on ours this summer and provide an update.

 

[EVTruckin]

As far as I can tell the only differences between power box and a 2000w inverter is
-50%ish more power output with powerbox (2000w is already A LOT for camping)

Note that models without the powerbox also don't get bidirectional charging, so no opportunity to quickly boost a friend's electric car in a pinch, or to power a portion of your house in a blackout. In theory this could be 7.2kW but it looks like the Jeep may be limited to 3.6kW.

 

[Jtphoto]

I have read a lot of reviews on portable generators. They are not very efficient, especially for loads that are either light or just above the load that causes RPM to be raised (on an inverter generator). Only once you get to 4+ kW where the generator runs at ~90% of its max continuous rating do they achieve decent efficiency.

With the 4xe, any excess power generated should be getting stored in the battery, so they Jeep can run intermittently. I will run some tests on ours this summer and provide an update.

Correct using the generator to charge a power pack rather then direct power would be more efficient.

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