Personal Best After Installing EBH!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Green Hokie @ Jul 20 2007, 03:50 PM) [snapback]482429[/snapback]</div>

Hi Folks,

Had to jump in here because I was surprised to see that people were using the EBH during the warm summer months. Fire Engineer installed mine last winter in the Fon's garage in Pewaukee. I was plugging it into the timer until night time lows were no longer below 32 degrees. I didn't assume that the EBH benefit would negate the kwh's used in these warmer temps so I didn't think it made sense to use it in the warm months. Am I off base in my thinking? {Guess I could experiment for a tank and see if I notice a significant difference this time of the year.}

One thing seems certain: while I had the timer engaged for a three hour run prior to the morning commute in the winter, I would assume an hour or less would be an adequate amount of time for the EBH at this time of the year with overnight lows in the upper 50's to lower 70's - agree?

Thanks for your input. And thanks to all of you that were able to make it up to Madtown for Hybridfest; what a great weekend we had with perfect weather. It was great having you all in town!

Wiscnordicman (Jim B. of Madison)

 

Using the engine block heater in the warmer months makes economic sense too, unlees you have very high electric rates. Look for the super long original block heater thread where it was discussed. When using in warmer months a 3 hour plug in works well also. If the outside temp is 70F on start-up my coolant temp at start-up will be about 135F-145F. For the first 2 minutes the Ice is on that will go down 10-15F and then jump back up as all the coolant, including the thermos, mixes and the engine warms up. Within a half-mile I'm in Stage 4. My first 5 minute bar is usually 50-65MPG. As a rough comparison, my last tank I had a non-functioning block heater (due to some careless body shop work) and my MPG was about 72.6. So far this tank, with a new block heater (actually only needed the cord) I'm at 79 MPG. Not having to lose and regain your MPG (much) for the first 1 or 2 segments on the consumption screen really helps to boost your overall MPG.

Wayne

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ Jul 24 2007, 10:35 AM) [snapback]484117[/snapback]</div>

79 mpg? Do you have the emergency brake on?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(VABeachPrius @ Jul 24 2007, 01:37 PM) [snapback]484233[/snapback]</div>

You kidding me, I removed that awhile ago, just stick my foot out if I need to.

Wayne

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Green Hokie @ Jul 20 2007, 09:01 AM) [snapback]482163[/snapback]</div>

I think the best way would be to see the low fuel indicator start flashing, then fill up as soon as you cfan and see how much fuel it takes. If you added 10 gallons and you know you hold 12.5 you know you have 2.5 gallon left.
Then you know you get 50.2 mpg let's say so you can go 2.5 times 50.2 or about 150 miles.
It's basic math and simple logic.
Each car may vary a little so you can determine where you fit into the puzzle.

PS we don't need block hweater here in Arizona, it's always warm.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Green Hokie @ Jul 23 2007, 01:00 PM) [snapback]483624[/snapback]</div>

Be very careful hypermiling with the somewhat full gas can in the back of your car to prevent juel spillage. What a shame, spilt gas. The fumes will make you think twice if you have to carry the can more than a day. While I am on this note and we are all talking about Engine Block Heaters (EBH) Get yours ordered now trough the link at the top of PriusChat above the SGII so you can get it installed before it gets really, really cold. Start looking at timers and how long of an extention cord you will be needing. Don't forget to get some pipe insulation to block the grills when it starts to get cold. Get your EBH through the group buy ordered before 8/19 .......only 25 days from todays date. BTW if you live in FireEngineer (Wayne) neck of the woods he might do a few on a group meet up date but you need to wait for the engine to cool a little before he will touch it. Wayne do you have any heat proof gloves yet? LOL Just my plug for you to increase your mpg's with a very small investment.
D Rock

D Rock

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ Jul 23 2007, 11:45 AM) [snapback]483591[/snapback]</div>

Give up?

 

Questions for the Hypermilers, 67 MPG and 83 MPG!

What are your commutes like? Are the roads in VA down hill in both directions? :<) No disrespect intended, I just want some tips.

I drive conservatively, but not enough to piss off people too much. I have 40/42 lbs in my tires. I am planning to add the EBH, but with the hills around here, and my need to use the Interstate to cross the Columbia River, I have finally made it up to 52, but I want to start seeing 60 so bad I can taste it. The Miles that is, as the Gallons taste like gasoline.

I live at 650 feet above sea level. There is about + or - 50 feet of rolling hills for the first few blocks, and then drops to about 200 ft above sea level in the next 8 miles. Rolls up and down between 200-300 feet for about 10 miles. Then rise up to 750 feet in about 2 miles and back down to 400 feet in next 3 miles.

For now, I am going off to a Topographical Map to verify my accuracy of my estimates and then may come back and edit.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Jul 25 2007, 11:43 PM) [snapback]485249[/snapback]</div>

MoMo,

The key to high MPG figures is your speed along your communte. I average about 25 mph when I am moving and I pulse and glide to the best of my ability. My tire pressure is around 60 psi. I also try to the best of my ability to time traffic lights so that I don't have to come to a stop. Find an isolated road and try P&G techniques at slower speeds. You will be amazed.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Jul 25 2007, 09:53 PM) [snapback]485219[/snapback]</div>

Nooooo...secret plan in works for finishing this tank. Unless it rains more like today. Almost 2 inches and the city put in these restrictors so the combined sewers won't be over-loaded. My Prius had a few inches of water all around it at the curb this morning. A little harder to glide but if I inflate the tires to 150psi I think.....


NoMoShocks,

My commute is all city and flat so it won't help you much. Inflate your tires a bit more and don't accelerate up the hills helps a lot, steady even MPH-bleeding up hill.

Wayne

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ Jul 26 2007, 10:40 AM) [snapback]485398[/snapback]</div>

I just went to a flashing pip at 939.8 miles. Based on my previous results, I am at a point where I should make it past 1100 miles, but the numbers are all wrong. I only have 85.9 mpg on the MFD. I did however overfill at my last fillup and I put over 12 gallons in last time, and I didn't run out on the last tank. I see running out of gas in my future. We shall see tomorrow.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jstack @ Jul 24 2007, 02:01 PM) [snapback]484248[/snapback]</div>

If your goal is to maximize mileage without running out of gas you might want to double check those numbers
2.5 * 50 = 125 not 150

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Jul 25 2007, 11:43 PM) [snapback]485249[/snapback]</div>

They are somewhat hilly in my neck of the woods. VaBeachPrius is closer to the ocean where it's pretty flat. As he said, speed is the key. If your routes allow it to be kept at 40 MPH and below, that's where you can use pulse & glide. If those routes you describe are two-lane roads with 45 and 55 MPH limits, you won't see 70 or 80 MPG unless you're alone or you do tick off other drivers big time. I don't recommend that.



I have a mixture of routes and traffic conditions. I get my best MPG in the drive to my part time job. This morning, for example, it was 79 MPG. The route is across town, starting and ending in the suburbs, and running through the middle of Richmond, VA. I've experimented with different route options, looking for those with lower speeds and four lanes, though not at the price of greater overall fuel consumption. Parts are flat, other parts hilly. Lots of lights through the middle of town. Like Chris said, learn to time them. Stay off the brakes if at all possible. Kinetic energy is your friend; braking wastes much of it. During acceleration, keep the instantaneous MPG above half the vehicle speed. That avoids running engine speed into inefficiently high ranges.



On your hills, learn to glide or warp stealth, depending on speed, and do either on downhills. Use your momentum and, if needed, gradual pedal pressure to carry you up the next hill, remembering the iMPG > MPH/2 rule. Let speed bleed off as you approach the hill crest if traffic allows. Again, learn to avoid situations that require braking if possible, like at the bottom of the next hill.



Good luck!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Green Hokie @ Jul 20 2007, 09:01 AM) [snapback]482163[/snapback]</div>

theoretically it starts blinking with 0.9 gallon of gas, so to be safe I would say up to half of what your consumption average at the time is, unfortunately I once ran out of gas and I think I only went about 15 miles with it flashing, but it was all on a cold start. The most I have actually done with it flashing was about 35 - 40 miles because I was running a tad late, but I was paying close attention to it and there is a gas station practically every mile or 2 with the route that I was taking so I risked it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ Jul 23 2007, 02:33 PM) [snapback]483671[/snapback]</div>

when I ran out I only added about a half gallon of gas from a can and it fired it right up.