Using PIP As A Generator

but not more efficient tho.

 

Do you know that to be fact? Where have you read that? I find it hard to believe that after spending billions of dollars researching hybrid and phvs that toyota couldnt have designed something more efficient than a common generator. After all, thats called a Volt. The PIP is different.

 

common sense......using a four cylinder engine to generate 1500 watts is not as efficient as a one cylinder portable gas generator generating 1500 watts

 

comparison: 134 hp toyota prius plug in vs,

Amazon.com: DuroStar DS4000S 4,000 Watt 7.0 HP OHV 4-Cycle Gas Powered Portable Generator: Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

4000 watts @ 7hp vs 1500 watts @ 134hp?

 

and the generator is on sale for $299.00 the PIP adapter is $1189.00 usd

 

1. The pip is much quieter than a generator.
2. Batteries are built in and probably already charged when the power goes out.
3. Hopefully the EVSE would have automatic switching so when the power goes out it automatically reverts power back to the house to keep you going. Meaning you dont have to go out into the cold and try to get a generator to start.
4. Again, batteries, they area already there. Batteries are a huge expense plus the lithium ion batts are much better than Lead batteries that off grid systems use.
5. Car is more portable. If you need power at your house one day then your cabin in the woods the next day, you just drive there in HV. It would also be cool to have while camping or while tailgating at a game. I highly doubt people next to you want to hear the rawr of a generator all day and night.

 

yup....it's all about appearances be the first kid on the block to have a PIP as a generator

 

No matter what generator you show me I will still say that this is a cool option to have. In past threads there has been talk of a toyota built EVSE that will do just this. I hope they do produce something like this. Although unfortunately 2 way traction battery flow wont work with this PIP but hopefully with my next PIP it will be available.

 

The PiP may be able to do it, but this does it better....and with A123 cells....

VIA Motors

 

Some people are happy living without the coolest new toys and extra features, those people buy the base pip. For the rest of us cooler people who want to experience all the cool new toys they made the pip advanced.

Some people dont mind following. Its ok PK. ;-)

 

Prius gas engine is actually more efficient. To generate a kWh of electricity, Prius needs 230 grams of gasoline. Honda generator need 384 grams at peak efficiency (at 4,500 rpm).

 

I would think you're a long way from peak horsepower when using the PiP as a generator, so comparing Watts and max HP is probably not a good method for finding relative efficiency.

 

Prius engine would probably generate 10 kW and recharge the PHV pack and then shutdown. The battery will provide 1500 watts from there. There is a conversion loss to take account of but Prius generator should still come out ahead.

Say there is 20% loss in charging and discharging from the battery, you can still get a kWh from 276 grams with Prius.

 

hAhA! Take that PK. I have seawolf on my side!

 

lol

 

With 2.8 kWh usable electricity in the PiP battery pack, it'll last about 2 hours with 1,500 watts draw. So the gas engine will need to run every 112 minutes (assuming it'll recharge back to full). When the engine is off, you'll get near silence.

 

for the DIY'ers here doing this already with components, what is cost?

 

Almost certainly not. Gas generators are not efficient. For one thing they don't shutoff when the load is gone, nor do they allow low consumption, such as would only require a battery. The Prius can run the engine at the most efficient RPM while charging the battery, then shutdown. Common Sense.

 

Less than $120.