Has anyone installed the enginer PHEV?

I just read through the Chargery DB8 document, and find it
relatively inscrutable. Someone stateside needs to take a
proofreading pass through this thing.
.
I did note that it's designed for r/c model batteries, and would
readily believe that it's a little out of its league for a PHEV
effort.
.
_H*

 

Unfortunately there is almost no documentation of this effect, and I don't know how reproducible or well understood it was. I'll keep trying to look for any more specific accounts of situations in which this problem was encountered.

 

I am interested in the enginer kit and would buy one if satisfied on three points.
1) From comments that I have read here, it seems that many kits come with defective parts. Given that there is only a one year warranty is there any reason to think that the kit will hold up after it is working?
2) Apparently there is a great deal of upkeep involved with the systems as they are delivered today, cell balancing in particular. Do today's users think that the plan to deliver trouble free units later this year makes them worth waiting for?
3) Is the 4kw system less stable than the 2kw and more likely to break down?

Unlike many of the first buyers, I am unwilling to accept a system that involves maintenance. For me to buy it, it must be like my cruise control, work when I want it and be no bother.

 

To the risk takers go the spoils. I believe the converter issue has been rectified. and it has a two year warranty on the parts.

Lastly, it looks like a 4kWh system is more stable - bigger reservoir to draw power from.

 

Both of my converters run fine, no overheating. One o my chargers was bad. I need to contact Jack for a replacement. An 8kwh system is even more stable then the 4kwh.See thread below:

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-p...-hybrid-electric-vehicle-8kwh.html#post945680

 

I agree. After having the system for a few days I came to the conclusion that they were being overtaxed.

They need some heat-sinking added. Hopefully the 16 cell unit they are designing takes the heat issue into consideration.

 

Frankly, doesn't sound like the Enginer kit is right for you at this time. A Hymotion or similar kit should be pretty much "plug and play" as you desire.

Of course, you will pay extra to get "plug and play" - and even then, there may be a few quirks.

 

I don't agree with the others. I am not tech savy like everyone else. I just wanted to know about the system and how it worked.

Initally, after the break-in period (battery balancing), it has been easy for me to just plug in and go. However, I am a girl always wanting a "bang for her buck", if I can adjust my driving habits to accomodate the kits range and FE, I will do it. So far, I have been averaging 99.9 MPG in the city by going 40 mph or less. So far, the 4kw system has required less charging, therefore, less maintenance.

JOANNA

 

Our distributor is going to Seattle, Portland area. If anyone in that area orders before Sept 10, we provide free shipping and delivery.

 

Jack I'm going to email you about this.

 

We are going to attend PA Energy Fest in Kempton, PA. We are welcome to stop by our booth, review the system and chat with us. Hopefully place an order at the end

More detail at www.[B]paenergyfest[/B].com

 

Just keep in mind that heat sinking will only help control your temperature rise above ambient. When ambient is already greater than the max operating temperature (as it would often be here in Phoenix) heat sinks aren't going to do you much good

 

You make a good point, however I can tell you that the balancers are way hotter than the ambient temp when they are doing their thing.

The balancer housings are sealed so maybe some air flow vents might help at least keep the temp down to the surrounding air.

When mine start giving wacky readings, I have disconnected one, allowed it to cool off and the readings go back to normal, as in agreeing with my multimeter. I would assume it would be impossible for the balancer to balance when it isn't reading proper voltages on a couple of cells which is what I have witnessed.

 

I guess it would sense that they run hot. It sounds like they run by dissipation, which means all the extra energy in the batteries thats bled off is converted to heat. If the cases are sealed, it may be that the power dissipation devices are just sinked to the case. Is the case (or at least part of it) metal? If so at least having them mounted to a large metal plate with heat sink grease would probably go a long way toward keeping the temp down. Fins and airflow would help even more, but a lot of times just a big plate will give it enough radiating area to keep the temps down.

 

I guess one could also think about cooling like we do for home built computers. Water-cooling anyone? It would be quieter than fans, but I have no idea how big the piping would have to be. CPU fans have some good designs for cooling the high temperatures the chips generate.

 

Where would you mount the radiator?

 

Got a P3120 DTC today when I started the car, then threw both switches for both converters at the same time. See my "first impressions" note under the thread Enginer PHEV Test Pilots: Mpg reports and important data.

Any information on this code (and its removal) would be appreciated.

 

Btw everyone, yesterday was the start of a fresh tank with a brand new DC/DC converter replacement. Before, I was averaging about 68 MPG with a DC/DC that kept turning off after about a few miles.

I'm now averaging 99.9++ MPG for the past 20 miles. I'll post more data as I make it this week

Also, I've ordered my second DC/DC converter from Jack, it should be coming in about a week. I'll post photos of the installation when it comes around.

So far, thumbs up for Enginer

 

Seems like you want two converters like this guy: http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-p...-mpg-reports-important-data-3.html#post953638

Is this something Jack recommends?

 

Jack offered the option to me and I thought it made sense. That's why I went for it. The converters heat up fast when used for EV driving. With two, I have the option of switching to minimize heat buildup.