Enginer plug in?

Yup, I always thought Norm was on the right track. Maybe he was just ahead of his time Is his stuff completely unavailable now? I wonder if he'd consider open sourcing it...

I still like the idea of a primarily software based solution though, rather than always trying to develop new hardware. Its really tough to make automotive grade hardware in small volume at a reasonable cost, and it seems both a bit wasteful and cost inefficient not to use the hardware thats already there. I know cracking and reverse engineering the existing battery ecu firmware would not be trivial, but it certainly seems like it should be possible.

The recent availability of Li modules from Leafs was one thing that had rekindled my interest in a budget conversion. Hard to say if that availability will become somewhat stable, or like the used Prius batteries demand will eventually drive prices up.

One source (the vegas guy) was quoting $119 for a nominal 7.6V / 60Ah module (2s2p). Figuring roughly max voltage of 8.4V per module and a pack max of 240V that's roughly 28 modules / 12.8kWh for ~$3300, or 14 modules (rewired 4s1p) / 6.4kWh for ~$1650.

If the wiring, charging, management and communications can be kept to ~$1000, that could be a 15-20 mile conversion for ~$2650 or a 30-40 mile conversion for ~$4300 based on 80% SOC usage and 250 DC Wh/mile. This would presumably be a pretty no frills conversion, without fancy displays or features like high speed EV. With the current price of new cells, you might be able to get into the same price points but at maybe half the range which might not be as compelling.

Rob

 

I I have had the version 6 for three years and have had no trouble. Not sure of the viability on saving money over the cost but leather seats don't save either. I believe it will make my traction battery last longer as it keeps it from working so hard. we'll see. I now have 102000 and tha tis almost all short trips. I do like to show a 5/10 mile improvement over other prius drivers.Most always show 58 to 66 mpg on screen. not real mpg though as we all know.

 

it appears they went belly up, just as they were perfecting it.

 

I got my Prius converted with about 4000USD. I did it myself. 3800USD for the kit and 200USD for installation. I got a Chinese kit. I don't know whether there will be problems. So far, it is good. I hope it will go well.

 

what kit is it?

 

I'm trembling to hear a name brand........

 

Hybrid Interfaces had an even lower installed base than Enginer. It was not popular then, and don't see things changing.

If you want this kind of system. Just do it. It is not going to save you money. Ever.

You have several systems to choose from. They will be at the least $5000.

Priusonline's kit is likely an iteration of a trickle-charge" system. 48v lithium pack stepped up to trickle charge the main pack.

If anyone wants to buy one of these kits, I'll be happy to get one in your hands.
I'll even discount the price if you agree to report back data on a regular basis.
We can install it together at my shop in Madison,WI, or you can install it yourself with phone help.

 

I don't think its surprising that the Hybrid Interfaces BMS+ approach was never widespread, as it was essentially a controller design, not a turnkey system. Many aspects of the balance of system were left up to the user to figure out which was beyond the capabilities of most. The application also primarily targeted adding multiple used OEM packs, which while initially intriguing lost its cost advantage once demand for those packs picked up from rebuilders.

 

agreed.

 

Hi Cloude,

Be carefull, could be FOB, you could be paying another $1000 to have the kit unloaded from a shipping container at Port Botany and then have it moved by a courier to your house.

 

Yes, I import from China a few times a year at work. I have all the specs and am in the process of getting a quote from our customs agents.