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Prius for Emergency Power

Discussion in 'Prime Accessories and Modifications' started by Randy B, Aug 12, 2022.

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  1. Randy B

    Randy B Member

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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    With all the storms-fires-floods creating power outages this year, I am surprised not to hear more about using the Prius/hybrids for power. There are 12v solutions for up to 1kw and hybrid battery solutions for larger needs. Power went out at my home a week ago and it took me 3 minutes to connect the inverter to my Prius, connect to the house, and turn the car on... Voila.. Back to normal. Easy, quiet, and enough power.
    [Full disclosure, I run PlugOut Power]
    Anyone else have a story to share? This has to be a topic of interest to those in need of emergency power.
     
    #1 Randy B, Aug 12, 2022
    caymandiver75 likes this.
  2. don_chuwish

    don_chuwish Well Seasoned Member

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    What did you run with it? Did you run it long enough to use up all the EV range SOC?
     
    #2 don_chuwish, Aug 17, 2022
  3. Randy B

    Randy B Member

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    Don. Thanks for the question. This time the outage was evening and after dinner so we ran our fridge, lights, TV, internet-computers, phones and one AC window unit. Less than 2kw. We could have run up to 3.5kw reliably.
    The Prius has a 10 gallon tank [approx] and produces about 7.8kwh per gallon.. At this run rate, on full tank, using 3kw steady would last for almost 24 ours, at 1kw average it would last up to 3 days. This time we had 3/4 tank and the outage lasted only a few hours.. Easy. My wife's car is also wired so we could have switched cars. Refilling that tank would mean gerry cans or unplugging and driving off for a while.
     
    #3 Randy B, Aug 17, 2022
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    #4 Tideland Prius, Aug 28, 2022
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