http://enginer.us Prius PHEV conversion

brick · #41 08-08-2009, 03:48 PM

I just crawled out of my cave and discovered that these kits are starting to hit the street. I'll be really interested in your results, Dan! This sounds like a great kit for someone with a commute like mine that involves lots of highway miles and relatively little need for EV. 10-12A should be enough to for sustained WS, which is something that I currently avoid like the plague in favor of DWL and SHM. Personally, I would limit DoD to 20% and limit charging to 90% (or even 85%). I have a ThinkPad for work and this strategy has resulted in a battery that still provides 100% capacity after 18 months. Since that cuts down on available energy, I imagine a savvy user would learn to engage the aux pack only when it is of the greatest value.

krousdb · #42 08-08-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brick

10-12A should be enough to for sustained WS.

EXACTLY what I thought when I saw it. I already figured out how I can fit 12kwh in the back securely without sacrificing much cargo space. If the 4kwh works out as expected, I will bump it up to 8, then 12. Additional batteries and BMS are $500/kwh.

Dan · #43 08-20-2009, 05:22 PM

Any updates? Got a "It's Here" thread I missed?

11011011

krousdb · #44 08-20-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

Any updates? Got a "It's Here" thread I missed?

11011011

Hey Dan,
The kit was shipped in two pieces. A crate with the batteries and a large box with everything else. The box with everything else made it to me. The box with the batteries never made it because it was damaged in transit and returned to the shipper. Meanwhile, the guys at Enginer.us were at a convention so there was no one around to ship another set of batteries. So I had to wait until the 14th for them to ship another set. They are due to arrive tomorrow, along with a second 4kwh kit that I ordered. Unfortunately I am at the beach so I will have to drive back home to sign for it, then drive right back to the beach to finish my vacation. I won't be able to provide an update until maybe next weekend.

I have started this thread at PC that you might be interested in.

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-ph...formation.html

There are a few people posting results already but it is clear that they hve no idea how to conduct a meaningful test. See here:

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-ph...tant-data.html

There have also been issues with the kit. Bad balancers, bad converters, bad chargers, problems getting the batteries to balance. I'm not so sure that all the issues are due to bad components, but rather due to non technical people installing things improperly and not understanding the first thing about the components they are working with. I am witholding judgement until I have a chance to find out for myself.

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-ph...ng-cycles.html
http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-ph...c-vehicle.html

krousdb · #45 08-30-2009, 06:02 PM

Finally, it is installed. I'm happy so far. Better than expected results:
http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-ph...tml#post945680

xcel · #46 08-30-2009, 06:31 PM

Hi Dan:

___Can you post your results here so we can keep up with it?

___Also, have you measured your input via Kill(a)watt or other in kWh to bring the Aux pack back up to 53.7V static from the 51.3V finish?

___Is the HSS a Fuel pump cutout for 52 mph EV?

___Thanks in advance.

___Wayne

krousdb · #47 08-30-2009, 07:05 PM

Wayne,
I will post results here as well. Should I post the install info here also or will the link to PC be good enough?

I am charging now, currently at 53.0V, Kill(a)watt shows 3.2 kWh so far. The charge rate is 15A and I have 160Ah to charge when fully depleted. Tomorrow's commute will have them down to about 48V. I will get a better idea on kWh usage by Tuedsay morning.

Yes, the HSS is the fuel cut for 52 MPH EV. It's probably not very useful with only 2 converters. If I add a third, converter, I moght be able to go full EV.

xcel · #48 08-30-2009, 07:19 PM

Hi Dan:

___The install info is the most important part of all so by all means if you have the time, post it here.

___I will be in Florida next weekend but would like to have you on the Go Hypermiling Podcast as a guest to discuss the PHEV upgrade if you have an hour or two to spare next Sunday night?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

hobbit · #49 08-30-2009, 10:38 PM

HSS is actually an ECU cutout, not fuel pump. I detailed the
semi-analogous setup for a quick and easy fuel-pump cut, but
it takes a while for the engine to finally die. Downside to
clobbering the engine ECU is that it's an immediate error for
the whole system, which some of the PHEV kits immediately
clear, but it's still klunky.
.
I'm confident that Dan is an expert at riding warp-stealth for
all it's worth and keeping the car in a normal mode of operation
to reap the same benefits, though...
.
_H*

krousdb · #50 08-31-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobbit

I'm confident that Dan is an expert at riding warp-stealth for
all it's worth and keeping the car in a normal mode of operation
to reap the same benefits, though...
.
_H*

Yes, I would rather not use the HSS. I haven't even tried it yet.