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New PHEV kit (replace completly the OEM battery)

Discussion in 'Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications' started by menardsy, Jun 30, 2014.

  1. menardsy

    menardsy Junior Member

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    Hi!

    I just saw that Hybrid Auto Center is selling a kit that can replace the OEM battery. Anyone bought it?

    Here is the link:
    Prius PHEV Conversion kit
     
    #1 menardsy, Jun 30, 2014
  2. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    It's been done before, but looks good.

    Although for $6K more, you could just buy a brand new Leaf here in CO with 24KWh pack.
     
    #2 2k1Toaster, Jun 30, 2014
  3. menardsy

    menardsy Junior Member

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    Indeed. But the sell it for 8k$...
     
    #3 menardsy, Jun 30, 2014
  4. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    If you're talking about the 12KW pack that is $8200 without installation, consider that for double your money you get double the range and pack size with an entire brand new vehicle attached to it as an added bonus by going with the Leaf.

    I researched and built most of my own PHEV conversion for the Prius. But at the end of the day, it is a labour of love. If you just want to drive electric cheaply, you can't beat the Leaf now. Commercial PHEV conversions for a Prius just do not make sense economically. They are cool though, and the more the better. But I think they will find it hard to convince people to give up $8K to $12K for a battery in their 2004-2009 Prius that is already 6 to 11 years old. Note that the kit doesn't work in 2010+ probably because Toyota integrated the Hybrid ECU and Engine ECU into a single unit and nobody has bothered to reverse engineer it. This is the magic that allows controlling the engine to not come on any time and just do pure electric without forcing out of gas. Because of the Gen3 integration, this is impossible without replacing (and therefore recreating) the entire Hybrid/Engine ECU combination.
     
    #4 2k1Toaster, Jun 30, 2014
    donbright and MJFrog like this.
  5. menardsy

    menardsy Junior Member

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    Oh this is interesting. I did not see if this way. I already I have installed a Md Tech kit in my car. I am already getting 84mpg. I suppose it does not make sense to go with the new kit economically speaking...
     
    #5 menardsy, Jun 30, 2014
  6. menardsy

    menardsy Junior Member

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    I really like :
    • the fact that I can go up to 34mph in EV mode only.
    • the great MPG in ideals conditions (not too hot or too cold outside) !
    • in the right weather condition and heavy traffic (15mph), I did made 20km (home-work-home commute) on EV only!
    • the converter is very reliable so far
    what I like less:
    • the converter fan is quite noisy
    • the converter easily reach its maximum temperature which set the shutoff protection feature (although I am happy that it protect itself)
    • I am already beginning to have some problems with one of the battery pack / and / or the BMS. ( I am already discussing this with Eric on another thread Replace battery pack in Out of gas mode | Page 3 | PriusChat).

    The problem with the battery discouraged me a bit to the point I was thinking about selling the remaining working part and getting a Chevy Volt.
    But when I see people having more reliability problem with their Volt after a few year compared to my "old" Prius 2004 which is a real tank, I will not make the jump.
    So far, the main component which is the converter is really great and if it has not been for the battery, I would have given a 10/10 rating.


     
    #6 menardsy, Dec 18, 2014
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    why not get a pip? best car ever!:p
     
    #7 bisco, Dec 18, 2014
  8. menardsy

    menardsy Junior Member

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    Well here in Canada, the PiP is 43k$!! My 2004 worth barely 6k$. That leave me 37k$ to improve my conversion! ;-)

     
    #8 menardsy, Dec 19, 2014
    bisco likes this.
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    good point.(n)
     
    #9 bisco, Dec 19, 2014
  10. jakester21

    jakester21 Junior Member

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    doesn't Colorado give you a 5000$ credit for converting your prius
     
    #10 jakester21, Aug 2, 2018
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yep, check with boulder hybrids.
     
    #11 bisco, Aug 3, 2018
  12. Phil Stasik

    Phil Stasik Junior Member

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    We've got at 2004 Prius with over 200K miles, and a 2014 Volt with over 100K miles, and we love them both. We're in an EV club, and have many friends with Volts, most of which have been trouble-free. Don't be shy of any of these magnificent cars, especially now that used Volts and Leafs are so damned cheap!
     
    #12 Phil Stasik, Dec 21, 2018
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