Coastal EV Mod Install - Video

[vuapplepudding]

Thunder,

Sweet video. You make it look too easy.

[jims409]

I just installed the Coastal EV mode and it went real easy and works perfect !!! I have one question. How far has anyone been able to travel in EV mode on a fully charged battery? I couldn't get as far as I had hoped. I did go easy on the pedal and stayed just under the 30 MPH range but didn't get more than 2-3 miles before it went down to two bars and the engine turned on. Any input or suggestions ? Thanks, Jim

[Gilbert]

Hello, I just bought my 2008 Prius about a month ago, I'm really interested on this thing, since i really, really hate that when I start my Prius, it most of the times starts charging the battery, even when its more than half, and by doing this, it makes alot of engine noise for some reason,that even people look around to see where is that noice comming from.. like if it were an old busted car ........ i even took it to the dealer for checkup, but they told me it was normal engine sound when it was doing that.. And what do i know to prove them wrong . But i was wondering, this lets you ride the car until a certain speed, then it goes to the ice mode, but what if i need to accelerate rapidly for any reason from standing still, will it switch from stealth to ice like it would normally do? Thanks..

[cngrevolution]

Yes it will go right into regular "ice mode" if you 1. exceed 34mph or 2. depress the accelerator too hard or 3. if the battery drops to 2 bars. It works really well. I just put one in my 05 and its nice. I have seen a bit of an increase in mpg's after installing mine. Its nice to be able to roll out of my subdivision in EV and then when I get onto the main road where the ice would come on anyway it does. The price is right too!

[djelsewhere]

I just installed the EV mode component, unfortunately before seeing this video. The installation was relatively quick and easy, though people with larger hands may sustain a few scrapes trying to get that dang plug out, as I did. Pretty easy though, and it works great. Coastal sent me some jelly beans with it too.

[SLYDOGRACING]

I have a 2008 Prius with 300 miles on it. I recieved my ev mod from Coastal today and immediately went and installed it after watching this video twice Install was super easy and took 10 minutes tops. Perfect instructions and Jelly Beans were Awesome, but after the install I went for a short trip to Walmart and actually lost 2-3 mpg. Using the ev mode it seemed to run the battery down and then the motor ran more, harder, and longer to charge the battery back up. I think the ev mod coastal offers is more for the wow factor when you take your neighbor for a ride not a actual gain in MPG. I hope I am incorrect and will later see a actual gain in the future but at first observation I am not going to hold my breath


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[Flying White Dutchman]

is this a install where you use the criuse control switch to go to ev mode ? and not a EV button?

[efusco]

Originally Posted by lIon

is this a install where you use the criuse control switch to go to ev mode ? and not a EV button?

Yes

[altruistguy]

Hello Folks,

I just got a '08 Prius (tentative name: Evie (as in E-V, Electric Vehicle - I know, not fully electric, but close enough at the moment)). I received my Coastal EV Mod kit about two or so days after ordering it (very prompt!).

After viewing Thunder's video several times, reading the instructions through several times, and the other folks amplifying comments in this thread (I also found it useful to remove the square part that Thunder did not and the recommendation about a crochet hook was right on), I attempted the install myself.

Unfortunately, there was a problem. The "white bar" that you are supposed to pry away from the plug to allow insertion of the wire: I successfully pried it away from the plug exactly "a smidge". Then tried pushing the pin in. I found that I had to push it in pretty hard. The force of me pushing really hard -- bent the metal piece that is supposed to be inserted -- and broke it off!

When I then looked at the white bar, I found that it apparently had snapped back into place -- which was probably the problem.

Anyway, I'm unable to proceed without another plug fitting. Hopefully, the nice folks at Coastal will "hook me up" so that I might finish up.

This was indeed as simple as it looks. And yes, I too got my hand a bit scratched up (and drew a bit of blood ).

Eric

Update (3/31/2008):
Unfortunately, Coastal's tech support was as non-existent as reported elsewhere on this chatroom . I sent an E-Mail and telephoned, but got no response (after waiting two and a half months). Still wanting the mod, I decided to just bite the bullet and order another one. This one I was able to install successfully. I've only used it once so far, but it appears to work as advertised -- cool!

[montenido]

Thanks, Thunder. I bought the mod about a year ago and then my wife stole my Pruis. Installing the mod fell by the wayside until she finally got her own about a month ago. After seeing your great video, I will get it done this week. BTW, I ordered an Ipod adapter from a different but similar company, and the install was a breeze.

Thanks again for the vid!