http://priuschat.com/forums/ Have you turned your Prius into a Plug-In Hybrid, or are you looking for real-world people who have done it? Come on in and discuss! en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:03:40 GMT vBulletin 60 http://priuschat.com/forums/images/silk/misc/rss.jpg http://priuschat.com/forums/ http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/72241-might-buy-2004-prius-hymotion-l5-pre-installed.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:48:14 GMT ... but I am hesitating because something just doesn't add up.

Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Specifically telling me what I can't piece together would be perfect, but giving your gut reaction of "buy it" or "pass" would also be very helpful.

The Prius in question has 165,000 Km (102,000 miles) on the odometer, and has an L5 Hymotion pack installed. The dealership tells me it was a single owner who bought the car in December of 2004, and he was a bit eccentric. For a used Prius, is 165k on the odometer too much? (My 2002 Corolla had 86,000 Km on it when I bought it.)

If the previous owner got the car in late 2004, the Hymotion pack wasn't even available until mid 2008. Assuming he got his pack early, it would mean he only had the L5 installed for a year and a half maximum before trading this Prius in for a newer 2010 gen3 model. Why give up a PHEV?.. red flag?

The car has no collisions in its history, but it did have a scratch (maybe a gouge) on the front driver side. For the life of me I couldn't see where it would have been, the work done was very professional. I checked all the lines I could find and they all matched up exactly. However, the car was completely repainted; not just the section where work was done... red flag?

The maintenance was all done at the Toyota dealership, and the maintenance was extensive. A page and a half of items, most were regular service (oil change, air filter, etc) but there were 3 instances of "check engine light" in the latter half of 2008; though nothing major since then. Still, having that much maintenance on paper raises my eyebrow... red flag?

Finally, and probably the biggest oddity, the price: $12,000 CDN. The price is downright cheap. Looking at other 2004 Priuses (Prii?) with the same mileage, they are about the same price. In fact, I see a few which are more expensive with just 10,000 Km less on the odometer. (for reference, an 04 Prius with 140k is about $13k, and 100k is $15k) It's as if the dealership is not counting the value of the Hymotion pack... what the hell?

I did a 3 hour test drive with the thing (yes, I got lost :rolleyes: ) and it felt like a good ride. Nothing stuck out like a sore thumb, everything worked as advertised. Drove for about 5 minutes straight on EV only (man is that cool) which only ended because I got on the highway.

So my thinking is one of the following:

1. I won the Karma lottery
2. The dealership is unaware of a major problem which was been dealt with off-title
3. The dealership is aware, but hiding this theoretical issue
4. The dealership doesn't factor in the value of the Hymotion into the price; using it as a sales incentive instead

The sales guy I spoke with knows that the pack is worth $8k (according to the previous owner), so if that is the case, why are they selling it for only $12k?

I am regularly a cautious person, but I do regret missing some opportunities. With my finances right now, I can afford the car and pay it off within two years, but it will mean a tighter budget. My original plan was to buy a less expensive gas-sipper like an Echo hatchback... but can you really pass this deal up?

It's a big risk; do you think it's worth the potential rewards?
Thanks in advance for your feedback and insight. ]]> Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications snookums http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/72241-might-buy-2004-prius-hymotion-l5-pre-installed.html http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/72085-help-check-hybrid-system-during-enginer-install.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:51:53 GMT Hi all, I was in the middle of installing the Enginer 4KWH system in my 2010. I disconnected the 12V and the OEM HV battery as directed and... Hi all,

I was in the middle of installing the Enginer 4KWH system in my 2010. I disconnected the 12V and the OEM HV battery as directed and proceeded to install the main power wire to the output terminal of the OEM battery. Finished the install of the two wires and covered everything up and button down all the panels. Reconnected the HV battery plug and 12v battery to start the car and see if everything was ok but the car will not start. I get a message saying "Check Hybrid System" and cannot put the car into drive. Can someone help???

Thanks,

Chan ]]> Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications banshee08 http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/72085-help-check-hybrid-system-during-enginer-install.html http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71866-hymotion-housecall.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:00:05 GMT Got a call from Jim @A123 about a new rev. of the firmware. Sounds like a smaller change than the last one. He stated that the details will be in a... Got a call from Jim @A123 about a new rev. of the firmware. Sounds like a smaller change than the last one. He stated that the details will be in a letter sent out. In summary it should allow better range from the pack.
In short he wanted to come by to install the new rev. So without having to go to the CHiP Installer he came to the house and did it here.
I hope that all Hymotion owners get the opportunity for a housecall.

BTW, I just finished a complete tank with the last Rev. (CARB update with no EV on startup and forced ICE on) I went 1006mi. 103MPG for the tank. This is with a few weeks with colder ambient temps too. It pains me that the ICE starts every trip, but the fuel mlleage is not different than before the rev.
Chris ]]> Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications boxer93 http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71866-hymotion-housecall.html http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71823-displaying-soc-bta-scangauge.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:40:21 GMT Hey all,

I've seen many photos with other individuals setting up their Scangauges to display both SOC and BTA on the same screen(at the same time).

How do you do this?

If tell my Scangauge to display SOC and BTA, only SOC will show and the BTA will be blank.

It only displays one at a time.

Any ideas?

Thanks! ]]> Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications kiettyyyy http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71823-displaying-soc-bta-scangauge.html http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71805-powering-oem-fan-while-prius-off.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:12:05 GMT Hey all,

I've taken a good look at my Enginer PHEV kit. It works great for my needs.

I usually charge the traction battery to 75% just by driving it around town. I'm using my old Plug-in Supply dashboard controller to send a CAN message to run the OEM fan at full speed while the vehicle is on. This allows me to keep the OEM battery temperature
relatively low while running the Enginer DC/DC converter.

If I charged my traction battery to 75%++ and decided to turn off the vehicle immediately, this is a recipe for thermal runaway.

I've recently started to park in a garage where the ambient temperature doesn't really change much(which, would probably allow the battery to stay at what ever temperature it is at for a very long time).

I've taken a look at the EAA-PHEV OEM fan control using a DPDT relay and a few other components(Prius OEM fan control - EAA-PHEV).

Would it be safe for me to just wire up a 12v power supply that is tied into my AC input line for the PHEV to the fan?

I already have a fan tied into the exhaust for the traction battery(it's being fed +12v), I could probably just parallel the OEM fan along with the 120VAC power supply in addition to a few diodes to make sure the fan or computer doesn't send power the wrong way.

What do you folks think? ]]> Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications kiettyyyy http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71805-powering-oem-fan-while-prius-off.html http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71794-anyone-else-have-plug-in-hybrid-electric-vehicle-system-jungle-motors.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:44:05 GMT Hi All, I am new to this forum and I just bought a 2005 Prius with a lead acid PHEV system already installed from Jungle motors in So. Cal. It... Hi All, I am new to this forum and I just bought a 2005 Prius with a lead acid PHEV system already installed from Jungle motors in So. Cal.
It allows me to select EV mode for about 12 miles or use the supplemental battery to enhance hybrid mode for longer trips.
Just wonder if anyone else has experience with this system, and if you have any tips or pointers for a complete beginner to the PHEV experience.
Thanks,
Nirmala ]]> Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications Nirmalanow http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71794-anyone-else-have-plug-in-hybrid-electric-vehicle-system-jungle-motors.html http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71684-going-two-months-tank-fuel-performance.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:15:14 GMT Hi guys,

For all you PHEV drivers out there who have gone more than 2 months on a tank, I'm curious how your car (specifically, your remaining gasoline) fared when you went two to three months between fill-ups? Did you notice that more fuel was being burned as the tank aged?

I drive a Plugin Conversions Corp (PICC) conversion system and I haven't filled up since the first week in August (about 2 months ago today) so I guess I'm towards the end of the shelf life of the gasoline in my car even though I still have 2+ gallons left.

Has anyone had to use fuel stabilizer to prevent fuel from degrading?

I know it's probably a lost cause for this tank since the fuel has probably degraded enough already (from what I understand, the fuel becomes significantly more dense as time goes on--I admit I'm relatively ignorant of the fuel aging process and the effects therein). I should probably just use up the remaining fuel or top off my tank (though I'm a little hesitant to lose my tank average data as I'm at 890 miles on ~ 7.25 gallons) here before the average temperature drops below freezing since I'm still running summer blend fuel.

I'm also contemplating only filling my car up with half tanks from now on since it looks like I end up wasting a bunch of fuel at the end because it becomes more dense--has anyone else thought to do this or any other tricks?

Andrew ]]> Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications linuxpenguin http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71684-going-two-months-tank-fuel-performance.html http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71554-hymotion-pack-issue.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:05:52 GMT Hello, I was wondering if anyone has had their Hymotion pack become unresponsive? I received a flash code a few days ago (I did not catch the... Hello,
I was wondering if anyone has had their Hymotion pack become unresponsive? I received a flash code a few days ago (I did not catch the count) and when next starting the car, had no LED power on the button. Drove home without the pack and plugged in to charge it up. Next day - still no indication of power on the dash LED with switch in the on position - tried toggling and power cycling the car 5 times - no difference. Checked the 15amp circuit breaker on the pack and it is not extended. When I turn the car on I can hear a few clicks from the pack, but again - no indication at the button or on the Display of anything from the pack. When I plug in the pack the break lights come on for a few seconds and turn off (as is normal since the firmware upgrade earlier in the year) - also I believe I hear the battery chargers kick on when plugged in.

I have a call in to Hymotion on this but I am really hoping to find a solution without driving to a CHIP location. The one here in Minneapolis closed. If anyone has suggestions or thoughts on what may be the problem, please let me know and thank you in advance for any help. ]]> Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications max9952001 http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71554-hymotion-pack-issue.html http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71294-h14-plug-body-replacement.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:48:54 GMT Does any one know where I can get a H14 plug body? I think I ruin mine. Thanks Does any one know where I can get a H14 plug body?
I think I ruin mine.



Thanks ]]> Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications php_3 http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71294-h14-plug-body-replacement.html http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71284-2008-article-pimping-prius-nuts-volts-magazine.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:34:36 GMT I just came across an article from Nuts & Volts Magazine from August 2008 titled "Hacking the Prius".

The Cover of the magazine showed a Prius and this title
"Pimping" the Prius
Get up to 100 MPG with this hybrid hack.

In it the author, Jim Fell, added 56, 50AH Thundersky Lithium batteries to his Prius.

I tried to search PriusChat for discussion on this article but came up with nothing.

Did anyone else see this article? ]]> Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications ericbecky http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71284-2008-article-pimping-prius-nuts-volts-magazine.html http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71274-plug-in-hybrid-electric-vehicle-in-australia.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:42:24 GMT Just purchased a Enginer kit for a Prius to retrofit and test. I have done some research and this seems to offer best value for gain in EV distance.... Just purchased a Enginer kit for a Prius to retrofit and test. I have done some research and this seems to offer best value for gain in EV distance. I will do some testing on temprature of convertor and general output. Any other Aussies done or looking to convert their Prius.
My aim is to make a 2.5L/100km car now rather than wait till the industry get forced into it.
Cheers
David ]]> Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications amaroocars http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-phev-plug-in-modifications/71274-plug-in-hybrid-electric-vehicle-in-australia.html