1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

2016 Mirai - new owner thread

Discussion in 'Fuel Cell Vehicles' started by OldNSlow, Feb 23, 2016.

Tags:
Page 2 of 4
  1. OldNSlow

    OldNSlow Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    61
    93
    44
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    The cold does take a significant toll. I loved my 2006 - but the 2012 PIP I now have does give me better mileage and range even without plugging in (bigger battery). The worst mileage of the Mirai though now matches the best I could do with the 2006 Prius. Progress at any cost ! :-P

    I just posted a couple more pics showing the 2012 Prius next to the Mirai in OldNSlow pics.
     
    #21 OldNSlow, Mar 1, 2016
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,024
    16,242
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Nice pics!

    I like this one

    [​IMG]

    The MIRAI looks angry and the Prius looks surprised and happy :D
     
    #22 Tideland Prius, Mar 1, 2016
    drash and dbcassidy like this.
  3. Zojja

    Zojja Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2016
    275
    126
    1
    Location:
    DC area
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    I'm not a fan of that front grill although I wasn't a huge fan of the front grill of my last car either.

    Is it not a hatchback? It is hard to tell from your pic and the pic on the website doesn't show it.

    (P.S. I used to have the Oceanside -> Irvine commute, it wasn't bad but definitely put a lot of miles on my car at the time)
     
    #23 Zojja, Mar 1, 2016
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,024
    16,242
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It's a sedan.

    The difference is that the large grille is functional and needed to cool the FC bits under the hood. If you zoom in, you can see that it's hollow and air actually flows through most of the area. Only a relatively small bit is solid.
     
    #24 Tideland Prius, Mar 1, 2016
    dbcassidy likes this.
  5. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

    Joined:
    May 23, 2009
    2,614
    496
    0
    Location:
    Burlington, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    do not know if it's the angle or what, but that car looks enormous next to the prius
     
    #25 lensovet, Mar 2, 2016
  6. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    22,447
    11,760
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Is it for cooling, or because the FC needs to gulp down a lot of air? An ICE is actually a pump, and sucks in the air it needs. I think a fuel cell needs something to move air, and thus oxygen, in for the reaction. Some FCEVs used compressors. Not needing one was a bullet point of Hyundai's FCEV. I don't know how the Mirai does it.
    Its wheel base is a tenth of an inch longer than the Camry's, with around 3 inches more total length, 2 inches more height, and a couple tenths narrower.
     
    #26 Trollbait, Mar 2, 2016
  7. OldNSlow

    OldNSlow Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    61
    93
    44
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    It's a sedan with a trunk, not a hatchback. I am standing closer to the Mirai in the above photo and it is slightly more forward than the Prius, but it is bigger. Will post another photo below. Also posting a photo of the grill area - the top three slat areas direct air to the side openings. The bottom two are completely open - you can see the radiator behind it.

     
    #27 OldNSlow, Mar 2, 2016
    dbcassidy likes this.
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,024
    16,242
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I was told it was for cooling. You can see a better pic above this post.
     
    #28 Tideland Prius, Mar 2, 2016
  9. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    22,447
    11,760
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Being more efficient than an ICE, it should being generating less heat. Though the fuel cell might not be able to shed it as easily.
     
    #29 Trollbait, Mar 2, 2016
  10. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2009
    13,602
    4,136
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX, USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    Different animals. It was reported that the mirai needed to stay below 100 c (212F) or water would not condense and move properly. An ice is quite happy at 500C leaving a lot more room for the air to cool the radiator and take away heat + more heat leaves in exhaust. Of course you could use a heat pump and use less air, but that is more money and the mirai is already expensive.
     
    #30 austingreen, Mar 2, 2016
    Trollbait likes this.
  11. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    22,447
    11,760
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Okay.
    Couldn't a simple fan help in moving the moisture laden air out the exhaust, or does the fuel cell require liquid water for proper operation?
     
    #31 Trollbait, Mar 2, 2016
  12. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2009
    13,602
    4,136
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX, USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    It's a function of the beast PEM fuel cells with Pt and Pd as catlysts. PEM fuel cell relative humidity (RH) and its effect on performance at high temperatures
    Efficiency drops if relative humidy drops as it will if temperatures get too high. I'm sure some other catalysts may work in a low or no rh environment, but they are trying to get this tech cheaper not trying to make it harder. That means keeping temps down in the stack.
     
    #32 austingreen, Mar 2, 2016
    Trollbait likes this.
  13. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    22,447
    11,760
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    I had didn't consider the relative part of the humidity. Cooling would be simpler than trying to humidify the air to the right range.
     
    #33 Trollbait, Mar 2, 2016
  14. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2009
    13,602
    4,136
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX, USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    2016 Toyota Mirai First-Drive – Fuel-Cells Dawning - SlashGear
    I belive hyundai or honda or both use a humidifyer for their PEM fuel cell. Still even with a humidifyer you can't let it get too hot.
     
    #34 austingreen, Mar 2, 2016
  15. OldNSlow

    OldNSlow Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2016
    61
    93
    44
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Interestingly enough, there is a switch in the car to turn on a fan to blow out remaining water before you park in your garage, or if you're worried about water freezing.
     
    #35 OldNSlow, Mar 3, 2016
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,129
    50,045
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i remember reading that. doesn't seem like a good idea to put that burden on the driver.
     
    #36 bisco, Mar 3, 2016
  17. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2008
    6,308
    4,299
    1
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    It depends.
    If it is something that should be done, I agree.
    If it is just a matter of preference, then I don't think it is a big deal.

    As a Minnesotan, my biggest concern would be what effect freezing water would have if it were not expelled.
    However, if it is an issue, I am sure there will be a better solution by the time they are selling them out here.
     
    #37 Zythryn, Mar 3, 2016
    OldNSlow likes this.
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,129
    50,045
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i certainly hope so, they could get a bad rap if everyones exhaust was clogging up.:cool:
     
    #38 bisco, Mar 3, 2016
  19. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2008
    6,308
    4,299
    1
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Absolutely.
    However, if the water doesn't pool, it won't clog.
    It all depends upon the design. Does water "leak" out normally, or does it sit and cool enough to block up the exhaust.
     
    #39 Zythryn, Mar 3, 2016
  20. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,024
    16,242
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It's a courtesy button so that the water doesn't drip on the garage or driveway and freeze, thus causing an icing hazard.
     
    #40 Tideland Prius, Mar 3, 2016
    Zythryn likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 2 of 4