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Towed Prius V as DC generator?

Discussion in 'Prius v Technical Discussion' started by miscrms, May 29, 2018.

  1. miscrms

    miscrms Plug Envious Member

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    Haven’t been active on here much lately, but have a project that might be interesting. Long story short, we’re converting a school bus to live in full time and I’m designing a large solar / battery system for off grid living. I’ll likely be selling my trusty old 2005 Gen II, but we’ll be towing our 2017 Prius V behind the bus for local driving.

    Here’s more info on the electrical system:
    Mobile 24kWh Leaf Battery, 3.6kW Solar Build

    And more on the bus conversion:
    Big 'Bird - School Bus Conversion Resources

    As a backup to our solar array, I’m planning to put a tap on the HV battery of the V and run it into our solar charge controller. I’m planning to use the “Enginer” attach point after the contractors / Hall effect sensors and set the charge controller so it hopefully will keep the draw below the point where the Prius freaks out.

    Here’s the charge controller I’m using:
    TriStar MPPT 600V - Morningstar Corporation

    I’ve got the big version with GFPD and DC transfer switch, but I’ve rewired the transfer switch for 2 in 1 out rather than the stock 1 in 2 out. That way I can use it to select the input to the charge controller between solar or Prius.

    Anyone know if the access to the HV terminals on the 2017 V is similar to what’s shown in the Gen 3 Enginer installation manual?
    http://www.enginer.us/img/Enginer%20PHEV%20User%20Manual%20Generation%203%20Prius.pdf




    iPhone ?
     
    #1 miscrms, May 29, 2018
    bisco likes this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wow, that is an impressive project! nice looking bus, all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, May 29, 2018
  3. PriusV17

    PriusV17 Active Member

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    Very nice! Have you considered getting LiFePO4 12v 100ah batteries? Battle Born is selling on Amazon for less than $1k. Renogy had theirs in stock and they claim a cycle life of 7000 cycles and their pack is below $900. To me that is LIFETIME! Full deep cycle with no harm to cells and will not explode. One 12v with 100ah is basically 1.2kwh and only weighs 30LBS!! Unlike the Prius pack at 1.3kwh and weighs 90lbs. Since it's deep cycle up to 90% you can run much longer than if on the Prius pack. Add another LiFePO4 and you get 2.4kwh, etc. And that is only 60lbs total and will not explode!! I think running household stuff like the fridge will run the Prius pack down faster and risk running down it's life cycle faster. Only problem with LiFeP04 is you can't "charge" it below freezing. But you can still use it but just can't charge.
     
    #3 PriusV17, May 29, 2018
    miscrms likes this.
  4. miscrms

    miscrms Plug Envious Member

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    I have a full 2012 Nissan Leaf pack on board, about 16kWh usable capacity. Primarily it will charge from solar (12x300w=3600w), but with this setup I should be able to use the Prius as a generator to recharge in emergencies.


    iPhone ?
     
    #4 miscrms, May 29, 2018
    PriusV17 likes this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you should contact velocity channel, this should be a television series!
     
    #5 bisco, May 30, 2018
  6. Randy B

    Randy B Member

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    There is another solution for the Prius or any Toyota hybrid.. more expensive, but also provides AC power output. see plugoutpower.com
     
    #6 Randy B, Nov 27, 2022
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