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06/09/07 - Houston Prius EV + EBH install

Discussion in 'Local Clubs, Events, and Road Trips' started by Dan., Jun 3, 2007.

  1. Dan.

    Dan. MPG Centurion

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    On Saturday June 9th I will attempt a Factory EV install and Engine Block Heater install. If anyone has wanted to see one of these procedures, next weekend might be your chance.

    I can't guarantee success, but we (my neighbor and I) will give it a shot. I've done some recon on this today and was able to pull the ECU plug and also found the spot for the block heater. I've got the wire taps and assuming I can fit the ECU pin in and fish it the wire across the dash, I should be in good shape.

    The block heater is a Toyota of Canada model and the EV is the Japanese Factory model.

    Just email, pm, or post to this thread if you want to assist in the surgery.

    11011011
     
  2. priussoris

    priussoris New Member

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    Hey, got a digital camcorder broadcast on you tube!!! then we could all see fom anywhere in the world
     
  3. Dan.

    Dan. MPG Centurion

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priussoris @ Jun 3 2007, 08:00 PM) [snapback]454660[/snapback]</div>
    Might do that if I can get a cameraman.... Got a camcorder and a DVR so it should be pretty easy...

    On the todo list.

    11011011
     
  4. FireEngineer

    FireEngineer Active Member

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    Got a spare plane ticket lying around, I'll come out.

    Wayne
     
  5. Dan.

    Dan. MPG Centurion

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    OK... First the good news... EBH works and OEM EV works. :D.

    Now for the bad news.

    1) First stab at EV button wired it exactly, and perfectly backwards :eek: . Surprisingly, to me at least, backwards still works. Only problem is you won't get LED. Well I didn't like a ground reversal hard wired to my ECU so out with the wire clips, mosquito spray and camping lamp. Now everything works great.

    2) Didn't quite get the suggestions on the EBH install right and tried to install it with the rod plugged into the cord. Well with that extra inch of coupling, the block heater won't fit. So after a quick call to FireEngineer I was informed of my error, and got it installed, then plugged in. Problem was the thermal guew went on, then off then back on since I had to re-approach the install path twice. Don't know how much effect it will have. It does work, just don't know if it could be working better.

    3) To fish the cord to the grill, I took off some underplaying. In the process I stripped a nut There was a small rock that had fallen right at the thread entrance, and while I took the nut out, the rock scored the threads. So now nut 2 from the left headlight is replaced with one bright yellow tie cord. :D

    Tests:
    EV - Start the car, hit the switch and you get the popdown on the MFD "Cannot switch to EV" because I'm in stage one. So it works. LED now works too :D

    EBH - It was about 90 ºF (32 ºC) outside when I plugged in the EBH and left it in for 60 minutes. The water temp (via SGII) gradually went up from 107 ºF (42 ºC) to 135 ºF (57 ºC). So about half a degree per minute.

    Questions:
    Is anyone running the EBH in the summer? Do you have any data to share as far as what type of measured heat exchange your seeing. If mine is low, I could consider re-installing it, but it's not something I'll do on a whim.

    Special thanks to FireEngineer, mparrish, and my neighbor for providing the much needed assistance.

    11011011
     
  6. FireEngineer

    FireEngineer Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dan. @ Jun 10 2007, 01:38 AM) [snapback]459067[/snapback]</div>
    Darn, no excuse to go to Texas this summer.

    Wayne
     
  7. Skwyre7

    Skwyre7 What's the catch?

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    You could come back to VA though... ;)
     
  8. Dan.

    Dan. MPG Centurion

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  9. FireEngineer

    FireEngineer Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dan. @ Jun 11 2007, 02:17 PM) [snapback]459664[/snapback]</div>
    You keep putting your arm in there for all those steps and you better call the blood bank to replace the DNA you're leaving behind. Putting a small amonut of grease in the hole is OK IF you can be sure it is the front of the hole and your sure you won't rotate the heater in the hole. Better to grease the heater, and re-grease the heater if you happen to grease the engine block instead on your install attempt. Grease in the hole creates a greater potential for an air lock which is VERY difficult to work against, actually had to use a pry tool once to push the heater into the hole.

    Wayne
     
  10. Dan.

    Dan. MPG Centurion

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    {Double post}

    11011011
     
  11. Dan.

    Dan. MPG Centurion

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ Jun 11 2007, 09:12 PM) [snapback]459902[/snapback]</div>
    Yes... lost a lot of blood this weekend for sure. Hand is just now starting to heal. I already have Carpal Tunnel problems from my profession, so by the time I finally got that little bugger in most of the feeling in my hand was gone, allowing me to tear it up even more without the bio-feedback.

    So step 0 is to get some hydrogen peroxide to soak your hand in after the install.

    Yes I had meant to say a dollop in FRONT SIDE ONLY of the whole but typed faster than I thought. I correct the post for future readers.

    11011011
     
  12. Dan.

    Dan. MPG Centurion

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    {Double post}

    11011011