1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Has anyone installed the enginer PHEV?

Discussion in 'Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications' started by alevinemi, May 28, 2009.

Page 2 of 39
  1. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2007
    4,374
    313
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    the kit uses a DC-DC converted
    not sure what amps but looking at the size not more then 10 amps at 200+ volts DC.

    its converts 48 volts and 40ah? to 200+ volts DC

    o you can not drive on this kit alone it wil only ofset some of the energy used from petrol

    maybe someone can get some more info
     
    #21 Flying White Dutchman, Jun 2, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  2. alevinemi

    alevinemi Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2009
    99
    17
    0
    Location:
    Indianapolis
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    I asked a few questions. Thought I would share the responses.

     

    Attached Files:

    #22 alevinemi, Jun 2, 2009
    2 people like this.
  3. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2007
    4,374
    313
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    what about cooling of the pack? i dont see any fans
     
    #23 Flying White Dutchman, Jun 2, 2009
  4. alevinemi

    alevinemi Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2009
    99
    17
    0
    Location:
    Indianapolis
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Oops - Math off

    I have to revise my IRR analysis. I forgot:
    - The cost of electricity (about $0.10/kwh).
    - A 10% tax credit

    When I factor in 6kwh/day to fill the 2kwh twice (estimating some charging loss), the IRR doesn't pan out.

    At $3.00/gal, the ROI is roughly -23%
    At $4.00/gal, the ROI is -4%
    Break even is about $4.25/gal.
    At $5.00/gal, ROI is about 10%

    And, if you think gas is going to average $5.00 over the next 5 years, unleaded fuel futures are probably a better investment. Also, for me, PHEV isn't that green. Indianapolis electricity is one of the 'dirtiest' power locations in the country. Almost all coal.

    -->Adam

     
    #24 alevinemi, Jun 3, 2009
  5. kiettyyyy

    kiettyyyy Plug-In Supply Engineer

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    205
    167
    0
    Location:
    West Covina, CA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    What do you mean? The battery pack isn't supposed to provide any power to the actual AC/DC inverter directly... The "enginer" gizmo powers the HSD HV battery directly.

    We'll all see how this thing works out...
     
    #25 kiettyyyy, Jun 4, 2009
  6. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    3,686
    699
    2
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    I would like to correct my original post, I was commenting about the single battery packs that the ebay dealer has on auctions but never knew about the hidden "KIT" he is offering until alevinemi pointed it out.
    I'm awaiting your comments about the"kit" that you will purchase and try as a pioneer.

    PS:
    As a mater of fact, on 2006 my first PHEV conversion was based in the same concept this company is utilizing today, a power source powering a DC/DC converter straight to the HSD batteries.
    I used PbA batteries, they are providing newer (at low cost) LiFePO4with a higher Ah rating and my DC/DC converter was/is a hefty full 40 Amp, theirs maybe a marginal 12 or 15 Amp.
    I will comment that I upgraded to a different PHEV concept and configuration because I couldn't get as much Electric range and versatility of use back then.
     
    #26 mrbigh, Jun 4, 2009
  7. Anthonyata

    Anthonyata New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2009
    3
    3
    0
    Location:
    Central Valley,California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Is it worth paying an extra $1000.00 for a 4 kwh system?
    According to Jack the system weighs 60 lbs vs. 75 lbs for 2 kwh system.
    Any comments?
    Seriously considering purchasing this system from enginer.us
    Has anyone installed it yet?
     
    #27 Anthonyata, Jun 10, 2009
  8. alevinemi

    alevinemi Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2009
    99
    17
    0
    Location:
    Indianapolis
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    The 4kwh system would probably be worthwhile if you drove more than 30-40 hours per charge. If you drive under 30, the 2kwh system should probably be it.

    Keep in mind this system's EV mode is very limited, so from what Jack says, you get about 10 miles/kwh in enhanced hybrid mode (burning gas). Other systems that go full-EV (no gas) would need more power, because you only get about 4mi/kwh in pure EV mode.

    So, a huge (say 10kwh pack) would be worthwhile only on a pure-EV mod, as it would get you 40 miles of pure-EV driving. In contrast, with this mod, it would get you 100 miles of enhanced hybrid driving, and almost noone does that in an average day unless they drive professionally.

    -->Adam
     
    #28 alevinemi, Jun 11, 2009
  9. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    3,686
    699
    2
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    A word of good advice will be to hold on until some body (this maybe you) install this type of equipment and wait until listening the owners feedback on his daily use.
     
    #29 mrbigh, Jun 11, 2009
  10. mymimi

    mymimi New Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2009
    32
    7
    0
    Location:
    tx.
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    hey kiettyyyy, did you install enginer PHEV yet?
     
    #30 mymimi, Jun 13, 2009
  11. eddiem

    eddiem New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2007
    24
    14
    0
    Location:
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Does anyone know how much the 4KWH weights? And will it fit inside the same size box or do you have to lose the spare tire?
     
    #31 eddiem, Jun 13, 2009
  12. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2004
    4,379
    3,238
    1
    Location:
    Madison, Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hey guys, you'll be able to find out a lot more about the Enginer PHEV system if you come to Hybridfest Green Drive Expo next month.

    They will have a booth and be available all weekend to answer your questions and talk about their product.
     
    #32 ericbecky, Jun 24, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  13. eddiem

    eddiem New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2007
    24
    14
    0
    Location:
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Well I decided to be the guinea pig, I bought the 4KW kit and it should arrive in 20 days.
     
    #33 eddiem, Jun 26, 2009
    4 people like this.
  14. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2004
    4,379
    3,238
    1
    Location:
    Madison, Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    What part of the country are you in?
     
    #34 ericbecky, Jun 26, 2009
  15. eddiem

    eddiem New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2007
    24
    14
    0
    Location:
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    California
     
    #35 eddiem, Jun 26, 2009
  16. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,531
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Please let us know how things go.

    Good Luck!
     
    #36 SageBrush, Jun 26, 2009
  17. toddwking

    toddwking Average Joe

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2005
    39
    8
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm thinking about it as well, would love to hear what kiettyyyy has to say. Here's a few more Q&A's with Jack about this kit:

    Q: For the 4kw pack, does it still fit right in the back (ie. where the spare tire would otherwise be) like the one shown?
    Jack: Yes. The picture shown is the 4KWH system. 2KWH have half of the cells.

    Q: Also, I see that it appears to sit on top of the spare. Is there some sort of spring that facilitates moving the pack up to access the spare?
    Jack: No. Defer to future release due to safety concerns.

    Q: Does the kit include a smart charger, ie. one that automatically lowers the current when it's getting close to full and shuts off by itself? Or adjusts the voltage as the temperature fluctuates?
    Jack: Yes. It is a smart charger made by the same factory of the Li-ion battery.

    Q: Does it come with all the necessary instructions? Will it work in EV mode only up to 34mph, or will it go up to 50mph? When the gasoline engine is on, will it behave like a regular hybrid, or will the gas mileage still improve (ie. even when the gas engine is running)?
    Jack: Attached is the user manual. We don't pursue maximum EV drive to simplify design and installation, to preserve OEM control algorithm for emission control and prolong stock battery life. The PHEV battery charges the stock OEM battery so that ICE doesn't need to, PHEV battery assists driving power so that ICE doesn't need to work that hard. All these will improve gas mileage.

    Q: Do yall happen to have a video or more detailed information about using this pack to convert prius's?
    Jack:No. Not yet.
     
    #37 toddwking, Jun 27, 2009
  18. eddiem

    eddiem New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2007
    24
    14
    0
    Location:
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Please post user manual.
     
    #38 eddiem, Jun 28, 2009
  19. eddiem

    eddiem New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2007
    24
    14
    0
    Location:
    Huntington Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Please do NOT post the user manule, it's copyrighted material.
     
    #39 eddiem, Jun 29, 2009
  20. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    3,686
    699
    2
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Humm, I smell something fishy here...........
     
    #40 mrbigh, Jun 29, 2009
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 2 of 39