Reduce Max. Current while DC Charging with CHAdeMO

If you are using a Prius-compatible battery pack from a different vehicle e.g. rav4 ev or nx450h+ etc., then perhaps you should consider the corresponding parts for a charging system from that other vehicle rather than a Prius PHV charging system? You've probably thought of this? Perhaps the software control from the Prius is going to govern it and that's why you'd like Japanese CHAdeMO settings for software tuning?

Also, the US is using Type 2 CCS connectors (I think?) rather than CHAdeMO for fast DC charging - since I have CHAdeMO will there be significant differences to be considered?

 

Does your comment also apply to the AUTEL Maxi AP200 series (versions.C, H,and M)? A very recent thread on PriusChat has an interesting debate on OBD2 access at Gen2 OBD2 app review | Page 2 | PriusChat, which refers to both the OBLink MX+ and the Autel AP200. The Autel AP200 appears to be cheaper to purchase but requires annual payments so will be more expensive over the years presumably.

The PanLong for Android is probably much more limited but since it is way cheaper it may be a good choice as an every-day scanner, refer Hybrid battery diagnostic and repair tool for Toyota and Lexus, with the more expensive scanner for detailed work only.

Do you know if the OBLink MX+ and the Autel AP200 (and the PanLong for Android) are bi-directional? It appears they can cancel some alerts but my current goal/desire is to drop the max DC charging current from over 70Amp to about 50Amp. Is there any chance one of these 3 devices might manage this? Or do I need an ECU writer or some other OBD2 device? (Once I have an OBD2 device I can help with your project too.)

 

Yes, I was a bit vague, intending to refer to being able to change any/all of the "cutomisable parameters".

I am (/was) hoping there is a setting to lower the max. charging current a bit. I'm getting the impression that this setting isn't available, possibly without Toyota's direct involvement. Especially so if it is outside the scope of the OBD2/OBD II coverage.

Agreed, I personally won't attempt reverse-engineering, both due to the time and effort involved but also as comparatively little added benefit over the current automation. (Nor attempt a new version of the firmware.) Agreed too, a more widely applicable device as per post #3 would be a better alternative.

Best of all would be if Toyota includes this option in a firmware upgrade, or even just in future EV models to further reduce battery issues and reduce loading on infrastructure. A menu position to limit DC current further by a quarter/third/etc (compared to their present max. DC current) would do the trick i.e. similar to the existing menu position to limit AC current to 200V/8Amp, etc.

Thanks for the note on "OBD II" as the correct, formal notation. Presumably "OBD2" is in wide spread usage as "OBD II" might seem ambiguous i.e. "OBD eleven" or "OBD two" (correct) or even "OBD ii" (but with capitals) or "OBD LL" (but with lower case). I imagine many writers adopt "OBD2" for clarity (and brevity), or because that's what they've read and just continue with it.

 

My goal is to reduce the max. DC charging current by about quarter to third e.g. from 74A to 50A for my Japanese import PHV. I was hoping there's a "customize parameter" for this which is accessible via OBD2.

I'm happy to help with your project. As previously indicated we've a Japanese, imported Gen 2 Prius PHV. I believe these are based on the Gen 4 Prius Hybrid.

To get started I've already ordered the much cheaper PanLong for Android OBD2 connector, which should now be on its way. If necessary, one of those more capable ones mentioned in Post #25 above may well become necessary.

 

The question of how populous the countries bordering the Pacific are has always interested me, so I thought I'd make a rough estimate. Here's a brief outline of Pacific countries with coastline (populations are bracketed).

Countries you mentioned:
- USA (332mill), Japan (124mill)
Total population 456mill

Still on your side of the water (perhaps implicitly included by you?):
- North America: Canada (39mill)
- Middle Americas (incl. Mexico)(217mill)
- South America Pacific coast: Colombia (52mill), Ecuador (17mill), Peru (32mill), Argentina (47mill)
Total population 404mill

On the other side of the water from you (countries with populations over ca.1mill, excl. Japan):
- Australia (26mill), Cambodia (16mill), China (1,411mill), Indonesia (256mill), Malaysia (34mill), New Zealand (5mill), North Korea (26mill), Papua New Guinea (9mill), Philippines (109mill), Russia (147mill), Singapore (6mill), South Korea (52mill), Taiwan (24mill), Thailand (70mill), and Vietnam (104mill)
Total 2,295mill

And the Pacific Islands together have perhaps another 2mill ("guesstimate").

The indicates that 5 times more people live in countries with coastline on the other side of the Pacific from you than covered in your duo Japan and USA. The Pacific coast is a big, well populated place. It really is "miles" easier for me to send you info and copies as required - there are literally many 1,000's of km (/miles) of water and waves in-between (answered in Post 11 above). Let's remain in digital contact for mutual assistance initially.

OK. When the Panlong arrives I can send whatever useful info it provides. I hope at least to get battery temperatures and current flows along with some monitoring. Slow logging would be a useful. It's a first dabbling into the world of OBD's, ECU's, etc.

Second hand ECU's for a approx.2018 Prius seem to go for $500 to $1,000 on eBay - does this seem likely to you?

 

"...if i could get a hold of your ecu or the same part number it would be the first step into getting where we want to be. Have you tried to look up the part number on your end? ..."
Hi black_jmyntrn,
Thanks. I can find the VIN OK but not where to look to find the part number e.g. ecu. The Toyota websites in countries nearby all talk about genuine parts being easy to get and usually in stock (locally, I presume) but then link to a site to book a service or repair at their workshop. I haven't been able to find a site translating VIN or similar identifier to part numbers. Since it's a Japanese import I hope an English language (or German language) site can give us the info we'd like. Can you point to a site giving this info?

 

... or do you perhaps have access to a catalog or similar (refer previous post #32)?

 

OK, I've found a dealer who has given me a part number for the ecu. Remember that this is for a 2018 Gen 2 Toyota Prius PHV Hatchback, which is based on the Gen 4 Prius hybrid i.e. non-PHV. The part number for the ecu is 89661-47761. I hope this helps with your project. I'm curious how you get on with adding CHAdeMO charging.

 

Now perhaps it's time for me to write "ohhhh really!! let me read through this... [ I'd like to] ... add this to my prius ..." (ref.yr post 9 Nov 2022)! I'd be delighted to swap my PHV's battery (currently 8.8kWh) for a 50kWh+ battery at approx. same weight. This would increase my average range from about approximately 40km to 200km i.e. from 25 miles to 125 miles. Presumably this project will take you a year or more to complete and test?

I asked about cost and delivery time for that ecu. They did not know as it would have to be imported from Japan. Ebay has ecu for related used Prius parts varying wildly around US$500 e.g. https://www.ebay.com/itm/125254751396 (which isn't the same ecu though).

 

Thank you once again, Elektroingenieur. There is obviously much to learn regarding EV's. I've stripped ICE engines down to individual nuts and bolts but this is my first EV and find there's lots to discover.

 

While you are making such major changes, you might consider upgrading the max. AC charging power from 3.3kW to around 7kW (possibly instead of CHAdeMO or CCS/SAE). While this is slower than the max. approx. 17kW using CHAdeMO, AC charging does have a number of advantages:

• You can charge the battery to 100%
  - CHAdeMO (also CCS/SAE?) are limited to 80% to protect the battery
• Your battery would be less stressed and therefore probably last longer
• Where I live the J-1772 (and Type 2) stations are less congested than CHAdeMo and CCS/SAE so are more available. Here they are also much more plentiful.
• An hour is a longish break while driving, but CHAdeMO charges in 17 min, which is too short for a bite/drink, toilet, etc
• Supply of 7kW can be arranged at home without much difficulty
• I imagine the work and reprogramming involved would be less (and overall cost and time too?)
• It halves the time for 240V AC charging to approx. 70 minutes from approx. 140 min.

The current AC charging port is J-1772, which can handle up to about 19kW (single phase, ref. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_J1772). Since most public charging stations and home installations are max. about 7kW then this is probably a practical target power i.e. double the present AC charging power of 3.3kW. Bear in mind, though, that afaik the AC charging power is limited by heat buildup/transfer limitations, so an upgrade would have to bear this in mind.