NEW PHEV Install!

If you have the heat on inside, your Hymotion Prius is much more likely to start running the ICE.

When I start my Hymotion Prius in the morning, it stays in EV mode as long as I stay at 32 mph or less. Also, don't mash the accelerator and normal stuff. But you can handle regular stop and go traffic with the ICE never coming on for about about 20-25 miles in pure EV mode.

If you do happen to trigger the ICE via a hard acceleration or a brief moment above 33 mph, then the Prius will go through a regular warm-up period. With the ScanGauge II, I typically see that the ICE will turn off at about 115-120 degrees F, which only takes about 2 minutes to reach. Then it is pure EV again as long as you stay below 33 mph.

You won't harm your Prius system. With regular driving I find that my system at some point or another goes through the warm-up phase. It really takes dedication to stay in pure EV mode the entire day. I don't even try except for special situations.

Although, if I know I am just going to be driving around in town, the speed limit everywhere is 30 or 35 mph. So I make it a point to stay in pure EV mode as much as possible.

Also, learn where your electrical outlets are around you. Use every opportunity to recharge, even if it is only 15-30 minutes. Those extra recharging periods will get you double the EV range each day.

 

If you haven't already done so, check out the full review from 'TheForce' he had it installed back in August and he was one of the first person I know of to do the conversion: http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-modifications/52157-review-hymotion-battery-plug-in-prius.html

 

and what country are you from then?

 

Re-read what he wrote. He said County, not Country.

 

Wooo Hoooo! Another washingtonian!

I have no idea, as I don't have the EV conversion, but I'm sure that if you go to Tony's link, above, you can shoot him any questions

Welcome to Prius Chat!

 

If your stock Prius NiMH battery is full at 8/8, you will have that behavior. That can happen after a downhill drive with regen sending energy into the NiMH stock Prius battery. I have the same situation at a stoplight at the bottom of a hill from leaving my neighborhood.

So when I am going downhill, I switch the Hymotion battery off. I actually try to get the stock Prius battery down to 5/8 before I start the downhill portion. That way I know it will only be at 7/8 at the bottom of the hill. Then when I am driving on a flat area again, I turn the Hymotion battery back on. I have gotten this routine down so good that I can do the first 3 miles in pure EV mode on just the stock battery before using any Hymotion energy. The only time the Hymotion battery is on happens when I first turn the car on, just to establish EV mode, then I flip it off until the 3 miles into my trip.

 

gasnippr,
On the question on the ICE running, the heater could definitely be the cause. If you run "auto" it will run the ICE to keep you warm. If you want it to shut off I have found that after the ICE is warmed up I set the fan on 2nd or 3rd button from the LO side. Before the ICE is warmed up it will continue to run if the fan is on. I find myself in the first few miles turning the fan on when I know the ICE will be running and then shutting it off when coming to a traffic light.
Also as Peakoil has mentioned your car should be wired for EV mode automatically and it will engage when appropriate.
How do you like your Hymotion so far? What kind of driving and mileage have been able to achieve.
Chris

 

I would say that for newbie users they should just leave the L5 battery ON full time and not mess with it. Once you have experience and a comfort level with the capabilities of the Hymotion battery, then it is ok to fine tune your use of the battery.

There is no problem with turning the battery off/on while driving. But it is best if you know the correct times to run in stock mode. The downhill strategy is an example.

 

gasnippr, if you have a 2005 Prius, then I am willing to bet it is the 12 volt battery. The factory 12 volt battery is not a good one. For a regular Prius, it doesn't really matter. The 12 volt battery is not critical because of the main NiMH battery. But for Hymotion, it has turned out to be a real issue.

If you get the flashing LED, try driving a few minutes so that your 12 volt gets a charge, then pull over and turn off the Prius for 4 or 5 minutes. Wait until the LED stops flashing, then startup again. See if the issue is resolved.

You might just need to replace that 12 volt battery.

FYI, the software update from Hymotion is available. Call your installer. But you will also get the CARB update which forces your Prius to do a warm-up phase.

 

gasnippr,
Nice to hear you are enjoying it so far. I just filled up Sunday. I had the "flashing PIP" for 2 days. I was able to squeeze in 9.261 gallons. I'm sure the bladder (This is only the 4th time I've filled up the car with a little over 3k on the Odometer) is still stiff and the temp was in the 30s F. Even with the colder temps since October 12th the MFD showed 98.6 MPG for 908 miles. I'm sure your mileage will increase with time. Two things that have worked the best for me is to use as little throttle as possible. Even at highway speeds you should be able to see 99.9 with orange arrows frequently. And second, full grill block. It helps keep the ICE warm especially since it runs less with the Hymotion.
I've had one instance of the Hymotion not engaging in the morning. Since I have been watching the VLT on the Scangauge and it's 11.7-11.4. I also have a 2008 with a much newer battery than you.
Chris

 

boxer93, are you monitoring water temp on your SGII? I find that if I do start the ICE when it is cold, I can first get the engine to stop at about 110 degrees F. It requires a full stop of the vehicle the first time, but after that I can slide back into EV at any time that I am below 33 mph.

This is true even if the water temp falls back down again from a lot of EV driving. It is only the first time that I need a minimum of 110 degrees F.

I have found that I can slide into EV at 40 mph if I get into stage 4 (157 degrees F) and the Hymotion battery can maintain 40 mph for the duration of the battery charge. That is great because it requires 35 mph to engage the cruise control.

 

PeakOil,
Yes the fWt is one of my 4 gauges (VLT, MPG Current trip and EV Mode are the other 3) I find that the 109-110 fWt is one of the first 'stages' I also see 157fWt quite often. Today with 55F ambient I saw 170fWt. In my case I do not see EV ON over 32MPH. With the orange arrows(battery power) only on the MFD I do get battery propulsion quite often over 32MPH. I always assume that is Warp Steath or Super Highway Mode. On a level highway I have held SHM for a couple of miles at 65-70MPH. The display that I am seeing more of is with the battery and ICE providing propulsion and the MFD reads 99.9 MPG
Chris

 

What is Super Highway Mode? That is a new term for me.

Is that when it is battery power, 960 RPM, 9,999 MPG and 0.00 GPH? I see that a lot on the highway when it is flat to slightly downhill.

 

Hi all,

My 2004 just got the Hymotion kit installed last week. So far, so good. No errors or software issues yet. When the Hymotion system is operating, I'm seeing about 81 mpg which is about double what I was getting. I drive about about 60% freeway with significant hills and Seattle temps are now in the 40s and 50s, so I expect to see better mileage in the Spring and Summer.

One observation is that when the Hymotion is off, my stock Hybrid system seems to be delivering Summer mileage of about 50mpg. Maybe its because the car is already warmed up and the stock battery is fully charged. Anyone else notice this?

PS I've done the full grill block with temps never exceeding 185. Big thumbs up for minimizing ICE warm ups.

PPS For Seattle commuters, Metro is offering electric car stalls (reservable although they are unused right now) with free electric at their Park & Rides.

 

sjensen98104, welcome to the Hymotion club. I live just down the hill from you near Issaquah.

I have never seen the grill block in person. If you have a chance, I'd like to meet and see it up close.