This is just a public service announcement regarding what to use to jump start the Model 3 12V battery if it dies. Most of you know if the 12V battery dies, all windows and frunk and trunk closes and you cannot get into the car with your phone or key card, nor be able to access the car with your Tesla app. Most of you also know how to open the frunk using the tow hole cables and hooking up a 12V battery to them.
This happened to me recently, and while I was able to open the frunk using the method above (using a trickle charger), I did not want to jump start the battery due to reports of potentially damaging any car that you use to jump start it (or damage to the Tesla), or physically taking out the battery and replacing it due to the complexity of taking off the rear passenger seat to uncouple the 12V from the main battery. I also wasn't sure which portable or wheeled jump charger to use, for the same potential damage reasons.
So I called Tesla Roadside and a tow truck came out. The tow driver used a TopVision jump charger on the 12V, and the car instantly charged up, doors opened, and systems came back on.
Here is the model he used. Note that I have no proprietary interest in any of the products or companies, I just wanted to share:
One question: I would love to store the above jump charger in the frunk for any potential recurrence of the above situation, but the irony is that one needs a 12V charger (it used to be 9V, but no more) to open the frunk first. Any ideas on a work-around to make this idea work?
-Slipstream
This happened to me recently, and while I was able to open the frunk using the method above (using a trickle charger), I did not want to jump start the battery due to reports of potentially damaging any car that you use to jump start it (or damage to the Tesla), or physically taking out the battery and replacing it due to the complexity of taking off the rear passenger seat to uncouple the 12V from the main battery. I also wasn't sure which portable or wheeled jump charger to use, for the same potential damage reasons.
So I called Tesla Roadside and a tow truck came out. The tow driver used a TopVision jump charger on the 12V, and the car instantly charged up, doors opened, and systems came back on.
Here is the model he used. Note that I have no proprietary interest in any of the products or companies, I just wanted to share:
One question: I would love to store the above jump charger in the frunk for any potential recurrence of the above situation, but the irony is that one needs a 12V charger (it used to be 9V, but no more) to open the frunk first. Any ideas on a work-around to make this idea work?
-Slipstream