Maintainability and Accessibility of Range Extender

Terrawatt

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As a person who has reserved the harvester, one of my biggest concerns is going to be the maintainability and accessibility of the engine. With the engine being tucked up in a compact tight space at the rear, it's not looking like this is going to be easy to get at for maintenance or repair. If I am correct and the harvester is going to be a pain to access and maintain, I would rather scout move the harvester under the hood. I have never used a frunk before and wouldn't miss it if it means I can maintain the harvester easier.
 

Goose

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You might want to wait and see before getting worked up about this. Based on renders, it looks like the little motor is just bolted to the rear frame. It won’t have any driveline components, just a fuel hose and wires. I imagine reaching it for maintenance will be as easy as removing shielding. Hell, it looks like dropping the entire motor wouldn’t be that difficult.
 

Mr._Bill

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They have not released any specific details about the generator package that is going to be used. I would wait for that to happen. I fully expect it to end up in the front compartment.
 

Bkenyon53

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You might want to wait and see before getting worked up about this. Based on renders, it looks like the little motor is just bolted to the rear frame. It won’t have any driveline components, just a fuel hose and wires. I imagine reaching it for maintenance will be as easy as removing shielding. Hell, it looks like dropping the entire motor wouldn’t be that difficult.
Maybe the cargo area will have a panel that can be removed or opened to get to it from the top.
 
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Terrawatt

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You might want to wait and see before getting worked up about this. Based on renders, it looks like the little motor is just bolted to the rear frame. It won’t have any driveline components, just a fuel hose and wires. I imagine reaching it for maintenance will be as easy as removing shielding. Hell, it looks like dropping the entire motor wouldn’t be that difficult.
To be clear, I made this post/thread in an effort to tell Scout that maintainability is important for me as a consumer. As is the right to repair. I am well aware that details haven't been flushed out. Since Scout personnel actively read forums like this; it is my hope that the comments from myself and potentially other like minded consumers can help provide feedback to Scout on what some of their potential buyers want. Since details are still being defined and big design changes can still happen, considerations for this topic could help steer some design choices to come.

Perhaps my post should be reworded, as I assure you I am not worked up. Since there are few concrete details on the Harvester and things can drastically change in the next few years, there is nothing to be worked up about. But I do have concerns with the current direction and from what I can see based on the concept designs.

I think what you imagine engine maintenance could look like is very probable. But I would hope at the very least, doing something as simple as an oil change won't require dropping the engine and disconnecting everything.

I do think I will end up using this generator enough where I would need to perform an oil change and checkup atleast once a year.
 

Goose

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To be clear, I made this post/thread in an effort to tell Scout that maintainability is important for me as a consumer. As is the right to repair. I am well aware that details haven't been flushed out. Since Scout personnel actively read forums like this; it is my hope that the comments from myself and potentially other like minded consumers can help provide feedback to Scout on what some of their potential buyers want. Since details are still being defined and big design changes can still happen, considerations for this topic could help steer some design choices to come.

Perhaps my post should be reworded, as I assure you I am not worked up. Since there are few concrete details on the Harvester and things can drastically change in the next few years, there is nothing to be worked up about. But I do have concerns with the current direction and from what I can see based on the concept designs.

I think what you imagine engine maintenance could look like is very probable. But I would hope at the very least, doing something as simple as an oil change won't require dropping the engine and disconnecting everything.

I do think I will end up using this generator enough where I would need to perform an oil change and checkup atleast once a year.
I apologize, I don't mean to imply anything negative. I used worked up as a generic term, not attaching your state of mind or anything.

I'm not sure how much Scout actually reads these forums, not saying they don't, but they pay for community feedback and think tanks.

My thought on the Harvester maintenance (disclosure, I reserved a full BEV about 3 minutes into them opening it up), it will be very similar to an outboard on a boat. Oil changes will be based on hours, not miles (prob about 500 hours of run time). My guess is they will build air filter, oil filter, and oil fill/drain easily accessible from underneath. It will probably be as familiar as possible to the regular local mechanic can perform the routine car visit; Fluids, filters, tire rotation.
 

Bkenyon53

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How hot would your cargo get though?
Insulation? The engine will be there regardless so wouldn't the heat transfer be basically the same? (If the "lid" had a proper seal)
My bigger concern would be the noise entering into the cabin.
 

NukeDukem

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Insulation? The engine will be there regardless so wouldn't the heat transfer be basically the same? (If the "lid" had a proper seal)
My bigger concern would be the noise entering into the cabin.
Was thinking that a removable cover (great idea btw) might let more heat through around the edges even if well insulated. Yeah, noise could be an issue too. If the cover is well bolted down against a seal, I think it would be fine.
 
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benhorne

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Maybe the cargo area will have a panel that can be removed or opened to get to it from the top.
Yes, maybe something that looks like the trunk access in a ridgeline. While they’re at it, they could make the tailgate have a side swing option like the Honda too so that access to the engine, or things in the bed, is much easier!
 

waltchack

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To be clear, I made this post/thread in an effort to tell Scout that maintainability is important for me as a consumer. As is the right to repair. I am well aware that details haven't been flushed out. Since Scout personnel actively read forums like this; it is my hope that the comments from myself and potentially other like minded consumers can help provide feedback to Scout on what some of their potential buyers want. Since details are still being defined and big design changes can still happen, considerations for this topic could help steer some design choices to come.

Perhaps my post should be reworded, as I assure you I am not worked up. Since there are few concrete details on the Harvester and things can drastically change in the next few years, there is nothing to be worked up about. But I do have concerns with the current direction and from what I can see based on the concept designs.

I think what you imagine engine maintenance could look like is very probable. But I would hope at the very least, doing something as simple as an oil change won't require dropping the engine and disconnecting everything.

I do think I will end up using this generator enough where I would need to perform an oil change and checkup atleast once a year.
if we're being honest, you are little worked up.
 

Mousehunter

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I have no idea what Scout might do - but I kind of understand Ford had/has an issue with it's diesel trucks (well probably 2 related issues). But they keep track of hours idle - too much and poof goes your warranty. I have to wonder how Scout will word the warranty on the harvester. Can't really tag it to miles, as for many people, most miles will be EV. But I hear plenty of people want to use it as a generator while camping - and those hours add up QUICK.

The problem Ford has, at least in Texas, is people will idle their trucks so they can sit in AC for hours while waiting at job sites. While old diesels probably could idle a LONG time without messing stuff up - it really messes with current ones that need regen cycles I bet.
 

ToadB

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Being they said it will be 80% consumer friendly to repair, maintenance on the engine should be easy. Maybe a subframe that bolts to the frame the holds the engine or access panel as option.
 

rfk

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Perhaps SM will adopt best practices from Toyota Previa - including under-seat access to ICE?

1738330349699-41.jpg
 
 
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