new Enginer Kit

I always charge in the garage. So mine is out the side window. When not in use the cord is easily tucked beside the seat and is not detectable.


Thanks,
Dan

 

I'm considering an Enginer kit. I've been in touch with a SF area installer, but is this an install a DIY guy can do? Any other PriusChat threads I should read?

Thanks,

Lee

 

Hi Lee,
I am an authorized installer in the Portland Or area, so of course I am biased. I think the cost of an installer is well worth it. Paul at 3 prong is great. Very knowledgeable people in his shop.

If you research Enginer on this forum and the Enginer forum you will see many people that love there systems and several that have lots of complaints. Most of the complaints come from people that did there own install and were not technically as capable as they thought they were.

I see that you have a 2010. Enginer is the only system actually delivering systems for Gen3 Prius's today. You can got to....
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ic-vehicle-installation-in-portland-area.html
to read about my 2010 install.

Thanks,
Dan

 

Gadgetdad,
I am also an installer.

Can you do it yourself?.. well... most people can do anything if they put their mind to it.

Some things to note. The cd of instructions you receive will not relate to the Gen III Prius. There are not specific written instructions that are specific to the Gen III. It not overly complex but, you need to be very careful. I know that if I hadn't actually been an active participant in installs with Jack and another seasoned installer a mentor, I probably would not have tried it on my own. (This is after hacking into my own hybrid's electronics system.)

There are definitely some tricks to it and even after doing some installations, I learned what not to do by direct experience and later had to fix my mistakes. You probably won't break anything trying it on your own, and if you enjoy troubleshooting and are up for a challenge, go for it. Make sure you sign up on the Enginer Forums to talk to other owners to learn from their mistakes as well.

That said... if you are in the Bay Area, 3ProngPower is one of the best installers around, and if you plan on working with them, you'll be in great hands. Drop you car off. They install. You get it back. Easy. Best of luck and keep asking questions. I'd be happy to talk with you if you PM me a number and time to call.

It's always a balance of time or money.

 

Thanks Dan and Eric for the feedback. I have been e-mailing the guys at 3Prong Power and would prefer to utilize their expertise especially with the Gen III I drive.

Thanks for the links to your install in Portland, Dan, I will look forward to learning more.

Lee

 

I think i already know the answer to this, but are there any Utah installers?

 

You can go to...
http://www.enginer.us/installers/
to find authorized installers.

There is a Shawn Carlson listed in Salt Lake City. I have not dealt with Shawn, so let us know how your communcations with him go.

Thanks,
Dan

 

I searched for one in the houston area and emailed them (houston electric cars) about installing an ENGINER kit for a 2010.....his reply --- "Now why would you want to do this to a 2010?"

my reply was, if you don't want the business just let me know



whoa -- didn't know they made a PHEV 8KWH Kit for $5,495.00

 

Weird? it works fine in the 2010. Maybe they just haven't done one yet...?

 

I started a new thread on this subject at Enginer

 

Nice one!

The Enginer looks like a good system for the price.

 

Its not so much that people have not been able to achieve the magic 100+ mpg as it is that they expect to do it under "real world" driving conditions. For instance: driving on inclines and moving at speeds greater than 50mph for extended lengths of time. Also, AC and heating are often nice features depending on region and people want to use them.

 

Yeah people need to understand how the Enginer system works and what it is doing. The Enginer system doesn't suite all types of drives (and drivers for that matter) but then it's the cheapest option out there so even a 50% increase in mpg is something.

 

how long before this kit needs to be replaced? I am thinking of getting one myself when i get my prius but if the batteries need to be replaced every 2-3 years and it costs an arm or a leg i might just go for the Toyota PHEV .

Also does this system void your warrantY?

 

This question is probably covered many times in many threads. I have not found the answer.

How does the Gen III Prius know how to use the larger battery? I read about mods for GEN I/II that raise the max speed of EV mode. Is this possible on the Gen III? If you drive a lot of highway miles at 60MPH how would a larger battery help a Gen III?

 

Hello Judgeless,
The Enginer system does not change or spoof the Prius programming in any way. It only adds charge to the existing Prius HV battery as you drive. I have a 2010 with the Enginer system. I needed to relearn how to drive it a little but I get very good results in real life driving.

Thanks,
Dan

 

Dan2l, Thanks for the info.