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

Has anyone installed the enginer PHEV?

Discussion in 'Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications' started by alevinemi, May 28, 2009.

  1. kiettyyyy

    kiettyyyy Plug-In Supply Engineer

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    205
    167
    0
    Location:
    West Covina, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Okay.. I'm calling shenanigans.. RIGHT NOW!

    The new balancer came in. Replaced the old one. Works great.

    As for the new DC/DC converter that came in.. stuck it ontop of the old DC/DC just for a quick test. It's freggin broke. The green LED goes on and off. The switch panel in the front doesn't even light up. I'm just waiting for Jack's phone call in a bit..

    SHENANIGANS I SAY! Why must it be me that bites the bullet for PC? :(
     
  2. plugmein2

    plugmein2 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2009
    114
    124
    0
    Location:
    Salt Lake City, UT
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    LOL!! I'm just glad it is someone as techminded as you. If you can't work out the bugs, who can? You really seem to know your stuff. I wouldn't have known to test the replacement DC/DC converter the way you did.:) What do you think is wrong with the DC/DC converter?

    I haven't heard much from the others who have already installed their kits.:confused: Thank you for the info even if it isn't the most positive. We knew there would be issues to work out.:p

    JOANNA
     
  3. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,531
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
  4. kiettyyyy

    kiettyyyy Plug-In Supply Engineer

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    205
    167
    0
    Location:
    West Covina, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    I may have a defective/incorrectly wired switch panel.

    That's coming in the mail tomorrow or Friday.
     
  5. dschur

    dschur New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2009
    18
    9
    0
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Well I installed the Enginer conversion box per Jack's instructions in my 2010 prius, and it's good and bad news.

    • It added no weight to the vehicle
    • I gained no additional mileage
    • The quality was a little shoddy
    • It's made out of 100% recyled materials

    This, of course is just the box prototype I fashioned from cardboard using the dimensions Jack gave me :lol: :lol:

    My wife now thinks I am absolutely demented, cutting up cardboard and putting it in my new car. I gave Jack lots of photos and some feedback on some fit issues.
     

    Attached Files:

    1 person likes this.
  6. kiettyyyy

    kiettyyyy Plug-In Supply Engineer

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    205
    167
    0
    Location:
    West Covina, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    LOL! DUDE! That looks pretty legit! Cardboard prototype? That's pretty nice for one. Props to you sir.
     
  7. kiettyyyy

    kiettyyyy Plug-In Supply Engineer

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    205
    167
    0
    Location:
    West Covina, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hmm.. I think I found the culprit of why the new DC/DC converter was having some problems...

    Since I was trying to take out the CAT3 (I think it's a CAT3 with a RJ11 utilizing all 6 pins) I think I may have damaged the end of the cable while removing it, or the cable was already damaged and I started seeing the side effects later on.

    I don't want to crimp my own cable because I'm a bit lazy.. Maybe I'll buy one.. If I can find any six stranded ones..

    I'll let you guys know what else happens.
     
  8. kammssss

    kammssss Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2007
    287
    86
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hey Kiettyyyy,

    Did you have to connect the EV pins to get it to work? I don't find the EV mode practical. I know the switch has 2 purpose: EV mode and turning off the system. Thanks.
     
  9. kiettyyyy

    kiettyyyy Plug-In Supply Engineer

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    205
    167
    0
    Location:
    West Covina, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Oh yeah.. That's one of the things I forgot to mention.

    The EV pin is shorted on the startup of the Prius. If you exit out of EV mode through pressing more than 1/2 of the throttle, driving faster than 34mph, either exposing the Prius to temperature extremes(high and low), the Prius won't re-enter EV mode.

    Also, since the switch shorts H14-27 to ground right off the bat, the Prius won't enter EV mode. You'd have to close the switch within 7 seconds of entering ready mode in order to enter EV via the Enginer switch pcb.

    The EV pin is not required for operation. I had to disconnect mine in order to re-enter EV mode as the PHEV kit kept shorting the pins to ground(I have an momentary SPST switch handling EV)
     
  10. mymimi

    mymimi New Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2009
    32
    7
    0
    Location:
    tx.
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    about "gained no additional mileage"
    do you have ev mode on?
     
  11. plugmein2

    plugmein2 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2009
    114
    124
    0
    Location:
    Salt Lake City, UT
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    LOL!! I hope you didnt pay $1995 for that!! You were screwed! LOL!!
     
  12. dschur

    dschur New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2009
    18
    9
    0
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    mymimi, it was a joke. The only thing in the back of my prius right now is a cardboard box. Hence the no improvement in mileage ;)

    I am test fitting the box that Jack is working on for the conversion in a 2010 prius. They do not have the system for Gen 3 prii yet. I'm hoping to help change that.

    Sorry if I confused with the attempt at levity.
     
    1 person likes this.
  13. kammssss

    kammssss Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2007
    287
    86
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hey,

    Anyone here going to the installation in Santa Ana on the 13th or 14th? I might go just to meet Jack. Hey, I will be getting my kit on the 8th, according to FedEX. Anyone else?
     
  14. kiettyyyy

    kiettyyyy Plug-In Supply Engineer

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    205
    167
    0
    Location:
    West Covina, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Not Santa Ana. The install will be happening in Long Beach. I'll be the one installing the kit(I'm one of Enginer's authorized installers) with Jack for another fellow PC user.
     
  15. kiettyyyy

    kiettyyyy Plug-In Supply Engineer

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    205
    167
    0
    Location:
    West Covina, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    FINALLY! I went ahead and installed the new DC/DC converter using a temporary setup.. The new DC/DC converter is strapped down to the old one :D

    I had to replace the 6P-6C Cat 3 cable from the switch panel to the DC/DC converter as the old one was damaged(Probably was the root cause of destroying the older DC/DC)

    I turned the car on for a while, no error lights or DTCs were thrown :D I wasn't able to do much as the low battery LED fired about 30 seconds after the car turned on.

    The car is charging now... It also has 2 working balancers! We'll see what happens tomorrow on my commute to work.

    I've just had the worst of luck :(
     
  16. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2007
    4,374
    313
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    wy strapped to the old one?
    wy not nicely remove the old one .
     
  17. kiettyyyy

    kiettyyyy Plug-In Supply Engineer

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    205
    167
    0
    Location:
    West Covina, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Because knowing my luck, this DC/DC could be bad! I haven't really tested it yet.

    Not only that, Enginer decided to put the mounting screws on the BOTTOM of the freggin chassis. I'd have to pop off the bolts from the undercarriage of the car to gain access to the mounting screws for the DC/DC.

    It's securely mounted for now. I'll get around to it this weekend if the DC/DC is good.
     
  18. plugmein2

    plugmein2 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2009
    114
    124
    0
    Location:
    Salt Lake City, UT
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    Yep, me too! I'm scheduled to get mine on Aug. 8th as well:D. I am trying to make it to the Aug 14th install. I might see you there.

    JOANNA
     
  19. cabledave

    cabledave Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2006
    63
    52
    0
    Location:
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Our installation is scheduled for the 13th @ 1. :)
     
  20. MJFrog

    MJFrog Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2009
    780
    266
    0
    Location:
    NE Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    2018 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    N/A
    My unit is scheduled to arrive Aug 11th. I'll be contacting Jack to get it installed in Troy once it gets here.