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Boulder Hybrid Conversions plug in systems

Discussion in 'Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications' started by pluginconversions, Feb 22, 2011.

  1. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thanks, i didnt know you weren't plugging it in every night. of course, that makes a big difference. i don't know what everyone's winter averages are, but that seems low. mine is 50mpg driving 7 miles to work and 7 miles home.
     
  2. stefano5777

    stefano5777 Member

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    This is great that you have the ability to show the 2 systems but the testing you are showing is jaded you charge the boulder system daily and the enginer whenever possible am I correct with this? Also who are the 2 drivers I am not trying to defend enginer kit but I am avg 109 mpg right now with enginer 4kw kit that I charge daily and after tax credits it will have cost me 2,600+.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is that counting electrical cost?
     
  4. pluginconversions

    pluginconversions New Member

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    2006 Prius (10 kWh system)
    06/05/2011
    Current miles: 41959
    Trip miles: 632.3
    Cost/gallon: $3.639
    Gallons: 4.626
    Gas cost: $16.83
    kWh used: 123.29
    Actual MPG: 136.7
    *Actual MPGe: 76.6
    *Long Term MPG average since PHEV conversion: 130.5

    *New data that will be added with each entry. As I have time, I will update the older posts with the new data entries.
     
  5. pluginconversions

    pluginconversions New Member

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    We will be taking the 2006 Prius to the Green Drive Expo in Madison, WI on July 21-24, 2011. The car will be entered into the MPG challenge.

    If you are going to be at the Green Drive Expo, stop by and say hello!

    Home Page Green Drive Expo
     
  6. pluginconversions

    pluginconversions New Member

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    I am sorry to hear that you think my usage/testing is "jaded." My wife drives the 2006 Prius with 10 kWh system and I drive the 2005 Prius with 4 kWh Enginer system. As previously stated, The differences between the two PHEV conversion systems speak for themselves.

    I am glad to hear that your Enginer system is performing well. However, it appears that your Enginer system has been modified, so it is not an even comparison to a stock Enginer system.

    What are your normal driving conditions? Sounds like you make short trips that are 34 mph or less. If that is true, that's great, but your usage does not match the usage of the average driver.
     
  7. pluginconversions

    pluginconversions New Member

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    2005 Prius (4 kWh system)
    07/08/2011
    Current miles: 79437
    Trip miles: 448.2
    Cost/gallon: $3.419
    Gallons: 8.139
    Gas cost: $27.83
    kWh used: 21.0
    Actual MPG: 55.1
    *Actual MPGe: 48.8
    *Long Term MPG average since PHEV conversion: 50.7
     
  8. pluginconversions

    pluginconversions New Member

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    On July 8, Boulder Hybrid Conversions replaced my Enginer BMS with a MiniBMS. Although I wasn't having any problems with the Enginer BMS, it was replaced due to the high failure rate with other customers' Enginer BMSs.

    I will post updates about how the system performs with the MiniBMS.
     
  9. madmarc

    madmarc Junior Member

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    Can you tell us more about the driving profile?

    I've also got an enginer kit and run about 80-100 mpg. Bevor conversion I only uses arround 50mpg.
     
  10. sub3marathonman

    sub3marathonman Active Member

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    Based on this report, I would tend to agree that your testing is indeed "jaded." Either that or it is the absolute worst possible set of circumstances for the Enginer kit.

    Examining the data, the first major item is kWh used at 21.0. That is essentially recharging 6 times over the time the tank is used. Estimating high at 250 watt-hours / mile (a more realistic estimate would probably be 225 watt-hours/mile), that would be a low estimate contribution from the Enginer system of 84 miles over a 448 mile tank. Or this Prius would have theoretically gotten only 364 miles on an 8.139 gallon tank. Which works out to a non-Enginer result of 44.72 mpg. In my estimation, this is on the extremely low end of the spectrum of observed mpg in a regular non-converted Prius.

    What this proves is that the success of any conversion relies on the individual set of circumstances of the person driving the car. If you drive 100 miles each way to work, it isn't the same as the guy going 2 miles down the back roads to work. The first guy wouldn't see a dramatic increase no matter which kit is installed, while the second guy, with the "fuel pump hack," might be able to get 1000 mpg in an Enginer kit.