Has anyone installed the enginer PHEV?

While there is no indicator for SOC, cell voltage will get you in the ballpark. First, go to the Enginer.us web page and click on "More Info". Near the bottom of the page that appears, you will find the charge and discharge curves for the 40Ah cell. Assume a 1CA discharge rate (40A) then pick the voltage that you are comfprtable with. If you want to stop at 20% SOC, look for the intersection of 32Ah on the x axis and the red curve to find your minimum acceptable voltage. It this case it appears to be about 3.05V. You can monitor the voltage through the BMS but you would need an assistant to do it. A more expensive BMS will display the cell voltages from a flat panel mounted to the dash.

 

I think that a little driver training would go a long way in this case. Most drivers drive the same routes day in and day out. Why not just turn the system off a minute or two before you expect to collect regen. Thats all the time it would take to drop the battery down to normal levels. After catching your regen, just flip the switch back on. Yes, it's a workaround, but at least we have it as an option if we want to/remember to do it.

I believe that everyone who has purchased a kit to date has gotten the $500 discount for providing a mileage log. I view that as a BETA test discount. It would probably be better if Enginer referred to it as such so that everyone understands exactly what they are getting into.

 

Yep, I think ideally you'd be able to tune the point at which the pack stops discharging based on a couple of parameters:

1. Overall package voltage
2. Lowest cell voltage

Similarly, it would be nice to be able to tweak the charge cutoff.

That way, you could trade off pack capacity/EV range for longer battery life. The Tesla, for example has a couple different charge/discharge settings to do this. The 240 mile range was achieved using the maximum capacity of the pack, but most people limit it to 80% capacity or so to maximize cell life.

An advanced BMS would also let you isolate/bypass weak cells - that way if you have a weak cell you can continue to run on the rest of the good cells without compromising EV range too much and having to get the weak cell replaced ASAP. This is also something that the BMS in the Tesla does.

 

I got my new bumper sticker today.

 

Unfortunately, Enginer is not marketing the product in the beta stage. That's why I didn't call it a "beta". They are marketing their production model.

I've been working with Jack directly to address the multiple side effects that the kit has induced.

I'll be engineering a few work arounds for the problems I've been having. The results will be posted here on PC and sent to Enginer.us/Automotive Tech

 

BTW:

Here's what Enginer is doing for me since I've helped them out a bit so far... and they've borked my purchase/kit.

Jack will be sending me a new DC/DC converter since my battery low LED has been staying on even though the nominal voltage of the entire string is 53v. He will also be sending me a new balancer(Since my other balancer is totally broken), new switch panel(The PCB with the switch and two LEDs), and the fire exttinguisher.

Since the kit was basically SNAFUed my order of a 4kwh kit and only sent me a 2kwh kit that's kind of gimped, they'll be sending me the 4kwh battery pack in a week or so. They're letting me keep the 2kwh to compensate me.

These guys are very sincere. Even though this is still in a testing phase, it's a legit operation. I hope everyone else that has installed the kit has had a better experience than I have. Enginer is trying to turn that all around for me

I'll post more information as I get it


Update:

I officially declare that the Enginer install manual is a POS. Seriously. I'll post updates on that too

 

How do I get a sticker?

 

Cool but it's a little off center from your plate.

 

Hey, remember that this is an inexpensive type of PHEV modification with bundled of the shelf parts............do not forget the "Fire extinguisher" to.

 

Where can I get that sticker?

 

Why a bumper sticker? That's kinda hokey

Go for some vinyl cut stickers They're pretty cheap to make..

 

BTW guys...

People who are using the Enginer kit that are having issues with interference on the signal line of the backup camera.. do this:

Find a snap-on ferrite core that fits 12 gauge wire. Snap it on to the positive lead as close as possible to the DC/DC converter.

I haven't found a solution to the interference induced through the charger.... I think I know what the fix is.. I'll try it later

 

emf??? from the dc-dc? is that a good thing?

 

It's expected if you're using a switching DC-DC converter.

 

yes
but.... you normally have these devices being made in a way the radiation is lowered.

 

Can't expect too much, you know?

 

because these devices are from china..... not really a good reasons i think

 

This site, EMF Safety Superstore- "Electromagnetic Field Detection & Protection"., has many fabrics that offer good shielding. There's paint also. I would shield the box on the top.

The EMF released by the DC/DC converter is not in any way harmful, you should see the EMF blast you receive when a cellphone rings right beside you.

It actually knocks out my WiFi out home - like my microwave does - if the cellphone is between my laptop and the router's WiFi antenna.

 

A 2010 Gen 3 comes to the party

Hi everyone, I thought I'd take my first post on PriusChat to let you know I am joining the Enginer.us party as well.

I have a 2010 Prius (IV BP), and after contacting Jack, I've agreed and sent payment to become a Test Pilot and hopefully help them work out the details of the Enginer.us system in a Gen 3 2010. Jack offered to do the install in Troy, MI, but being fairly adept, I am planning on installing it myself and taking photos of the install. My commute will be and interesting challenge for this PHEV as I drive 5 miles suburban traffic under 45 MPH each way every day (to public transportation to downtown Chicago). I am hoping that the Enginer.us PHEV will offer an inexpensive solution at 2kWh, which will increase the mileage by allowing more EV mode operation and reducing recharge from the ICE during warmup and these short distances which is regularly occuring in stock form.

Jack is designing a new battery box for the 2010 Gen 3, and has sent me the planned dimensions. I will be making a prototype box from cardboard and putting it in the cargo area to give him feedback on clearances (for the mounting bracket, and HV service plug).

Hopefully in some small way I can help bring this promising product to the Gen 3's as well. I'll make sure to share my experiences here on PC also.

Sure wish Jack was unbanned though - that whole thing seemed a little unnecessary.

 

Re: A 2010 Gen 3 comes to the party

Congrats on your purchase and welcome.:welcome:

I just recieved my FedEx info, and will be shortly getting mine installed next week. Will give detailed info then.

Later,

JOANNA