Gen 4 cells in a Gen 2

This is exciting to hear! I know for the gen 3 cells, there are incremental improvements like less internal resistance and some other improvements versus the gen 2 modules. I imagine the same is true for gen 4 modules. When you finish, I'm curious to know if you notice any changes to the car's behavior versus a normal gen 2. If the modules are a bit more powerful, I could image a touch more "spunk" to the accelerator pedal when using electric power.

 

The big question is whether or not a Gen4 lithium battery would work in earlier NiMh equipped vehicles. I assume that a 2016 lithium battery would be a direct swap with a 2016 NiMh unit. But could you move the lithium cells and ECU from a 2016 to a Gen2/Gen3 case and it work?

 

I would not expect the lithium ion cells from the Gen 4 eco model to be compatible with a gen 2 or gen 3 Prius, whose ECUs are programmed for NiMH. The battery technology is completely different and the batteries will behave differently under load, use a different range of state of charge, etc, and therefore require the car's ECU to be programmed specifically for it. Tampa is swapping NiMH cells from the non-Eco Prius, which should behave close enough for the gen 2 or gen 3 to work with them (probably have slightly superior performance by lower internal resistance or other factors).

Tampa, do you have an update since January?

 

That is probably why he suggested swapping the ECU too.

 

Cool! I just discovered this in a reference in another thread. Great work, Todd @TampaPrius.com!

Just as a point of reference, Mildred's '07 with the 2015 cells does seem spunkier than I remember any of our previous gen 2 cars feeling. Maybe not spunkier, but crisper! Livelier? Not sure how to describe it.

 

@jerrymildred may be able to get an update from Todd.
The 2018 HyCam SE and XLE are NiMH too.
I wonder would Gen 4 LiIon or Prime modules work in the PiP? I am sure there are Gen 4 wrecks but not many PiPs have yet needed the battery.
Another project for Todd?

 

Ah, missed that, sorry. I don't think an ECU swap would work as the HSD and engine are different in the gen4 as well. A full drivetrain swap might be possible for a modder ready for a serious challenge.

 

That could be at the level of the Firebrid project.
Firebrid: The Prius v Powered Hybrid Convertible | PriusChat

 

I see you now have a Gen 4 in stock. Sweet!! Sure wish I was in the market.

 

@TampaPrius.com needs to update Web "About Me".

...I currently stock 2nd generation (2004-2009) models. ...

I believe you stock more (and newer) than that...

 

2016. 2. Spare tire but no advanced safety features.
The listing says "Front fog lights" but the photos show the stock blank covers, I think.

 

I am interested in your opinion. In another thread about flooded Prii, somebody is looking at a 2016 with no traction battery. Assuming it is not Trim Two, do you think a PiP battery would work? We know they are both Li-Ion.

I thought there were differences in the battery packs among generations even though the modules are compatible.

 

Did the Gen 4 battery just bolt right in? What about the electrical connections, etc?


iPhone ? Pro

 

The modules from a US Gen 4 Trim TWO (not Eco) can work in an older generation battery pack. The other trims have a different battery chemistry that is not compatible with your vehicle.

The battery packs are not interchangeable between generations.

 

You have to transplant the cells from the Gen 4 battery case to the Gen 2 battery case.

 

ONLY if the Gen 4 is s Trim Two!

You cannot safely put the Li-Ion battery modules in older generations. The exception may be the plugin Prius but nobody has tried that yet.