Enginer PHEV Test Pilots: Mpg reports and important data

Yep, I've had a "sizzling" sound at times. Makes me think...mmmm... bacon.
But seriously I would like to confirm that others have heard the same thing.

 

I used to use a PC power supply to charge single Lithium cells, and I got the sizzling sound from that when it was working hard. I believe it's from mechanical movements of the switching transformer, which normally is supersonic, but when it changes PWM rapidly and more or less randomly, you seem to get that white noise with plenty of high frequency components, that sounds like sizzling.

I never got around to hooking up the fan on that power supply, so one day I forgot to use an external fan and it blew up (the fuse was vapourised to a sort of dark smear inside the glass). Hence the use of past tense above :-O

 

Jack told me the sizzling sound, when I first noticed it, was fine, that it happens when the converter is working hard.

 

I have the new case also and just tried to put two converters the same way. Unfortunately the case cover is touching the converter and closing will be a issue. I am looking into changing the mount rail on the bottom of the case to see if I can shorten the height a little.

 

Yeah I'm not surprised as it looked to me that there not quite enough room for two. Let us know how it goes.

 

There's a 10kw system available here on the west coast....anyone try it yet?...three prong has it

I'm a 64 year old newbie, contradicting statements....just coming up to speed on all this....

 

Welcome aboard,
PriusChat is the right place to have some basic knowledge on PHEV conversions and for avid enthusiast readers the learning curve is not very steep

 

That would be this 10 kWh system, not from Enginer (pardon the ad, I have nothing to do with these companies, just pasted from their web page):


3Prong Power is pleased to offer the most powerful Plug-In Hybrid battery on the market. The premium 10kWh system comes with our override electric vehicle mode (also known as ICE Kill or Forced Stealth) for pure electric driving up to 52mph. Price includes a rear suspension upgrade. The 10kWh systems gives you over 40 miles of all electric driving or up to 75 miles of mixed use driving at up to 100 mpg city / 75 mpg highway.

 

As I think about what size Enginer kit I should get, it has helped to hear how the typical daily mileage you and others drive relates to the size of the battery pack that makes sense. Being retired, most days I drive only about 5-10 miles. About every other week, though, I have a 150 mi. round trip, mostly by freeway.

So, given my daily short trips and an occasional long trip, I'm not sure what size Enginer kit would be the most cost effective for me. I would appreciate any suggestions you or others might have.

 

I am looking at having an Enginer system installed now that they have their xmas special pricing. I am curious if you guys think it would be extremely beneficial based on my driving, and if so which size kit I should buy.

I have an 17 mile commute to work each way. Our work actually has a plug-in station in the parking lot so I can recharge while there.

17 miles consists of:
2.5 miles of city driving (0-40mph)
6 miles of freeway driving (usually about 1mi at 30mph and 5mi at 60-65mph)
8.5 miles of city driving (0-45mph)

I really have only 5 miles or so where I would be driving over 52mph. I am thinking if I can get EV mode (or close to it) on the other 12 miles and then 60mph on the freeway 5 miles that would be huge. Is this possible based on the Enginers capabilities?

I get about 55-60mpg currently on this commute, the first 2 miles before getting on the freeway are usually poor due to warmup. I can pulse and glide after that especially the last 8 miles or so after getting off the freeway. Thanks in advance.

 

I'd get the 4kW kit and pure EV it to the highway if you have an indepedent EV switch like the Coastal mod.

 

I have a brother wanting to put a kit into his 2001 Prius.

To dlbowman01 and ias513 or anyone else with info on a GenI....

Do you have any pictures of your install?
It has now been about 3 months how are your units doing? Performance? Reliability?

Thanks,
dan2l

 

Just saw your post now.

System seemed to work pretty well for a month or 2, but have not had good mpg lately. I have been wondering if it is the colder weather, or batteries, or WHAT?

I am strongly leaning toward the balancing and charging process being very, very, important. I have determined that I have a few bad cells in my pack. I just let Jack know a few days ago, and it looks like he has them in the mail to me again very quickly.

I have been working on a few installs also, and these experiences have brought me to the battery conclusion.

Although there have been quality issues for sure, Jack has seemed to get right on these things and send stuff to me right away. And the prices seem really, really good right now. So I guess I would suggest purchasing the system, but plan on it taking some time to work the BUGS out.

I think that seeing the Prius chat forum on Enginer Battery Charging cycles (Don't remember exact name right now) is HIGHLY recommended.

My most important advice from where I'm at right now is...

Be patient, especially at first.

Don't fully charge or fully discharge the packs for the 1st 2 weeks.

I am currently planning on setting up the packs in the buddy system (See charging forum) and cycling them. And with some other methods I want to check the batteries for weak cells and get them balanced before it goes into the vehicle.

Ideal charging initially would be to charge to 90% SOC and then discharge to 40% SOC.

It take some cycling of the batteries to get them to balance.

Also, for what its worth, I spent a weekend with Jack at a PA Alternative energy festival in Sept. He seemed very sincere and knew his "STUFF". And he seemed to be working very hard at making this work.

Best of Luck to everyone.

Merry CHRISTmas to all.

And to all a "Good MORNING"
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(Or Good NIGHT, I guess that depends when you are reading this

 

Oh, and SORRY, Don't have any pictures, but the Pictures of the white Prius @ Enginer.us look just like my car.

 

Thanks for the responce, My brother was concerned with putting a wheel chair in the trunk on top of the kit. Do you know how much room is left from the top of the kit to the inside of the trunk lid?

I am planing to install 3 kits as soon as Jack gets the paperwork done so that we can have them on order.

Jack is working on improvements to make the charging mor reliable. It appears that the charging is agressive enough that the balancers sometimes do not keep up. It is very important to turn the charger off when the alarm sounds.

Thanks,
Dan2l

 

I have a 2kwh kit installed in my GenII, I don't think the 4kwh kit dimensions are any different though. With the case installed above the tire well, it lifts the floor panel about 1/8". It's hardly noticeable, but I can't latch the panel down. It's not really a problem though. Putting a wheelchair on top of the kit should not be an issue.

 

Please let me know if you have all the charger/balancer problems that others report. What do you mean the "balancer beeped and you cut it off" An e-mail would be nice as I am wanting one but not all t problems [email protected]

 

I have one that gives me 123 dg after cold start in one mile at sub freezing temps

 

Jut what I been waiting to hear . It seems as if it were not for Jack quickly coming to the rescue enginer would suck

 

Thanks Jo. Could you tell me how hard was it to get to the point of not monitoring every charge and just charge and go? [email protected]