I believe the remote A/C doesn't start ICE, therefore there is no heat up capability. But, it's worth to ask. BTW, Rick, Would you please ask to the staff about the reduction gear? I think we're not sure it's a single-stage like Camry/Highlander/RX400h or two-stage like GS450h/LS600h. Hopefully, the gear ratio number too. Thanks in advance, Ken@Japan
An interesting question. When I first installed the panels on the house, I went outside and watched the electric meter run backwards. Then I'd go watch the inverter display of the electric production. Clouds going over really drops the output, and heat also reduces the output. Anyway, it was really interesting to watch for several months. These days I basically ignore the panels. The novelty is gone, and they just do their job. I suspect a solar panel on a car roof would be much the same. Initially it will be really interesting to see just how effective it is. But that will pass, and it will just be accepted as normal. Except when I get into somebody else's car on a hot day and it doesn't have a panel. At which point I will think something like "this is really crude - all it would take would be a solar panel to keep this car comfortable". It's a novel idea now. It will be about as novel as premium headlights in the near future. And eventually about as novel as turn signals. Maybe. We still have a 22 year old BMW in use. No reason I can see that it couldn't go another 10 years. Maybe the Prius plugin would be worth the change. I'd really jump at a Mini with a Toyota style hybrid drive (that looks rather unlikely...). Sure. The only difference from the current product would be the programming of the computers. The solar panel is a big ticket item, but remote AC is just programming. Like EV mode, the remote AC programming will probably be present in all 2010 Prius. But the remote AC drains the traction battery. Toyota has apparently decided that 3 minutes of AC operation is within the capacity of the battery. Remote AC with the car in Ready mode also works, but uses the ICE to keep the traction battery charged up. It's called Remote Start, and is really just a programming change. You also need an extended range remote for it to be viable. Better than nothing, but not much.
i have tinted windows + shade for windshield, and it helps to certain extent - you will not get stroke when you enter the vehicle, when without it you are at high risk of it . Gotta love living in climate where we have +45C for 3-4 months every year
Rick? It is Dennis. I sure will ask about dual or single stage. I asked about the PSD ratio in Detroit. Chief said it is the same. I'll ask about the final drive ratio.
If you get a chance, ask about any improvements or changes to the traction control system. I didn't get a chance to ask about that in Detroit. Tom
Did you consider the Solar Electrical Vehicles aftermarket 215 W solar panel roof? I'm curious if anyone here has added this system on and what their experiences might be.
Specifics on that unit are 215 watts, 18% efficient, and $2500. There is some sort of extra battery, but I didn't find any details on that. The claim is that it will give you an extra 5 miles of EV mode. The most important aspect the unit is that it is shaped to fit on top of a Prius. In comparison, you can get a similar technology flat panel with an aluminum frame and glass cover at a list price of $1025 (Kyocera KD205X-LP, 205 watts). The 85 watt unit from the same company lists at $515. So packaging the cells in a Prius roof shape costs an extra $1475. And you don't need a 215 watt panel to run the ventilation fan. I'll reserve comment as to the probability of delivering 5 miles of EV mode. I'd like to see an aftermarket 85 watt panel that is shaped to fit on a Prius. The price should be about $600 list, and generally available at just under $500. So when do you think they'll make me happy?
The answer is no. The HV battery will not power the electric heater, just the fan. See toward the end of the video.
Good point on the solar panels. How useful would that be to those of us in the north? Granted, there's a disable button but given that there is no light that I can see on the button itself, how do you know if it's engaged/disengaged and do you have to do it every time you park in the winter?
Thank you, Dennis. (Sorry for mixing up poster's name on the previous page.) edit: So, is that lady on the video Erica? I'm the man asking Erica about the reduction gear via PM. Ken@Japan
The answer wasn't substantive. She said there were some improvements in integration between the various subsystems. She also stated that the traction control allows for wheel spin. The problem is that the traction control already allows for wheel spin, but not very well. I would still like some concrete answers about differential braking and sustained wheel spin. Maybe Erica can look it up for us. Tom
I jumped at the solar roof because I had one of those solar panel ventilators that hang on a window in my Gen2. I keep a large electric cooler on the back seat for my drinks, salads, vitamins/supplements, gel packs, and even canned food that I don't want getting too hot. Also handy for bringing frozen food from the market. I put in blue ice in the morning. But it helps the cooler stay cooler in a vehicle interior that is cooler.
Hey, I'm new to this chat and I am on the verge of buying my first Prius. I was thinking about getting one with a solar panel but wondered what you who have one think of them. Are they worth the extra money? The salesmen I talked to said it helps charge the battery which I didn't think it did. Please give me some feedback. Thank you.
No it doesn't. What it does is power the interior fan motor while the car is off. This will greatly reduce interior temperatures during the day while the car is park. Not only will it be much cooler for you when you get it, the large hybrid battery located behind the rear seat will be cooler too (that's a good thing). I love this feature, have become "spoiled" by it, and dismayed that other models don't have it. I also wish it wasn't bundled with, IMO, a silly sunroof.
