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Using PIP As A Generator

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by El Dobro, Oct 29, 2012.

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  1. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Cig lighter can handle 1,500 watt?

    Edit: NM, it doesn't plug into cig lighter.
     
    #101 usbseawolf2000, Oct 31, 2012
  2. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    The Prius is also designed to generate electricity efficiently. By the way, how does the generator convert the energy of gasoline to electrical power. By running an engine and converting it into motion, and thence into electricity.



    WOW! your generator is 240%* efficient. Next time do the math yourself, before bragging. Your estimate for the Prius is probably just as off.

    * 3 gallons of gas (100%) = 100 kWh, @ 5kW = 20 hours (assuming 100% efficiency).



    No, you need a disconnect (or to isolate your car from the house circuits), it does NOT need to be an automatic disconnect (unless your local code requires it). But you need that EXACT SAME THING if you have a generator.



    Prius produces very little Carbon Monoxide. You do want to vent either a Prius or a generator so that you don't build up toxic levels of Carbon Dioxide. Your garage needs to be air sealed from your house obviously, which is why building codes generally require that.



    The only ADDITIONAL need you mention is a sump pump. In an emergency, hopefully intelligent people will be reducing their normal consumption enough to make up for that.



    I am glad I don't pay your electrical bill, if just the essential things are running you 3,600 kWh per month!



    You can of course get a 240V inverter if that is your need. Most generators by the way are only 120V. The 'house' doesn't require 240V, only some appliances, most of which you should be avoiding anyway in an emergency situation. Dry your clothes when the power comes back on.




    Yes, please.



    Sure it is.
     
    #102 Corwyn, Oct 31, 2012
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  3. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Wow, only $149? Can you please write up a little review? Does it fit well in the Prius? Does it work with all of your appliances? Has it been reliable? Have you used it continuously for several days now?

    Sorry for all the questions, but that's a great price! I'll get one today if it works well.

    As for inverter vs generator:
    1) You can't buy a 1,500 watt generator for $150
    2) Emergency here means earthquake. Where do you keep your emergency generator safe? Car seems like a great place!
    3) This solution works for camping, tailgate parties, parking lot events, etc. It provides power anywhere.
    4) The engine runs only occasionally. With a generator, you have lots of noise, all the time.
     
    #103 Rebound, Oct 31, 2012
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  4. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    #104 usbseawolf2000, Oct 31, 2012
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  5. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    I attached it right to the 12v battery, after removing the mystery tray.
     
    #105 El Dobro, Oct 31, 2012
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  6. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    The power came back on, so I can give the inverter a rest. I used it for a total of about 23 hours. I used jumper cables made from welding cable, to hook the inverter up to the 12v battery. The main things for me to keep going were the fridge and the freezer. When they cycled off, I would unplug them and switch to each sump pump, until they were done and then plug the fridge and freezers back in. I stayed away from the high draw stuff. At 11pm, I would shut everything down. The fridge and freezer were cold enough to last 'til the morning. As far as I'm concerned, the inverter paid for itself by saving the food. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
     
    #106 El Dobro, Oct 31, 2012
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  7. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Don, any idea how much gas you used in the 23 hours? Your MPG and EV/HV ratio would obviously suffer. :(
     
    #107 usbseawolf2000, Oct 31, 2012
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  8. priuskitty

    priuskitty PIP FAN

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    #108 priuskitty, Oct 31, 2012
  9. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    #109 lensovet, Oct 31, 2012
  10. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Hey Dennis, I'd rather have that suffer than my food. :D
    The car was charged and was down about a gallon from full when I set up the inverter. I figured it took about 3 1/2 - 4 hours before the car went through the EV power and into HV power. The fuel gauge was showing 10 pips when I started and 9 pips when finally done, so I wouldn't be surprised if the car used less than a gallon. When the battery pips dropped to two, the car would start and run a few minutes 'til there were five pips, then shut down. It would do this about every 15 minutes, or so.
     
    #110 El Dobro, Oct 31, 2012
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  11. Andyprius # 1

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    Congradulations, that was exactly what I meant. A minimum amount of power to do the minimum in a emergency. I don't see your location. And, how did you fare, power wise, compared to your neighbors? Just noticed New Jersey.
     
    #111 Andyprius # 1, Oct 31, 2012
  12. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    I do wish there was some way to trick the engine into running longer. So that it'd fire up only once an hour, for example.
     
    #112 lensovet, Oct 31, 2012
  13. Andyprius # 1

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    Great job El Dobro! Exactly what I meant.
     
    #113 Andyprius # 1, Oct 31, 2012
  14. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...not to mention you could get 2 or 3 Prii to meet your needs :)
     
    #114 wjtracy, Oct 31, 2012
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  15. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    The funny part was the neighbors watching me hooking the jumpers up to the back of the car. They probably thought I was nuts. :D
     
    #115 El Dobro, Oct 31, 2012
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  16. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

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    could you give some links on the cables you were using? where did you keep the inverter – just on the floor of the hatch area?
     
    #116 lensovet, Oct 31, 2012
  17. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    Here is my setup:
    [​IMG]
     
    #117 Corwyn, Oct 31, 2012
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  18. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    No links on the cables, they were made years ago for me by a friend that's a truck mechanic. I hooked them to the 12v battery and attached them to the inverter, that was on the floor of the garage. I used a holddown strap attached to a cinder block to hold the hatch down and ran the jumpers under the garage door. It all worked like a charm.
     
    #118 El Dobro, Oct 31, 2012
  19. Andyprius # 1

    Andyprius # 1 Guest

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    it's amazing what people don't know about the car.
     
    #119 Andyprius # 1, Oct 31, 2012
  20. Andyprius # 1

    Andyprius # 1 Guest

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    so, I assume that the red/green are + and - to 12V AND the black ?
     
    #120 Andyprius # 1, Oct 31, 2012
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