Prius Stretch Limo: Part Deux

[Prius Limo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Oct 19 2007, 09:14 PM) [snapback]528048[/snapback]</div>

If the builder said this, then the builder is somewhat of an idiot.

If "reclaiming" the energy were the goal, then this is great! But surprise... takes more energy to get that extra mass moving than you'll get back, of course. I think I'd rather *save* the energy than attempt to reclaim a small percentage of it. :sigh:
[/b]

Thanks for your defense Patsparks! I don’t mind the heckler’s comments either. It is our variety of opinions and perspectives that makes Prius Chat a useful forum.

I think anyone who reads the regen comments in context will understand my point. I was groping for the words to explain why an overloaded Prius can still get better than 50 mpg. Put simply, a hybrid's mpg is affected less by additional weight than a non hybrid. Once the car is moving, part of the extra weight in motion (kinetic energy) can be reclaimed. Our overall mpg is now up to 51 city and highway combined over the last 12,000 miles. It would be great to hear from someone who has the vocabulary to explain what is really happening.

See post #135 http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=37363&st=120

[naterprius]

Personally, I don't think anybody that can stretch a car is an idiot.

His understanding of why the car still gets over 50 MPG may be lacking, but that's a small thing, not enough to warrant idiot.

Perhaps you meant ignoramous?

Nate

[KMO]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Oct 20 2007, 04:14 AM) [snapback]528048[/snapback]</div>

If the builder said this, then the builder is somewhat of an idiot.
[/b]

That was somewhat out of context. What is certainly true, and is basically what he was saying, is that while decelerating you'll be reclaiming more energy, thus exercising the battery more. It's easier to fill the battery to green while going downhill / decelerating, and easier to drain it while going up / accelerating.

[hobbit]

Hey, that brings up another thought. Limo, how do you think the
stretch might have affected max payload? Six seats, and you could
easily be up to 850 pounds... and you've already added a lot of new
metal. Hmmm.
.
_H*

[nerfer]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prius Limo @ Oct 23 2007, 01:13 PM) [snapback]529375[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for your defense Patsparks! I don’t mind the heckler’s comments either. It is our variety of opinions and perspectives that makes Prius Chat a useful forum.

I think anyone who reads the regen comments in context will understand my point. I was groping for the words to explain why an overloaded Prius can still get better than 50 mpg. Our overall mpg is now up to 51 city and highway combined over the last 12,000 miles. It would be great to hear from someone who has the vocabulary to explain what is really happening.

See post #135 http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=37363&st=120
[/b]

Well, from experience with canoes, making something longer does not increase the aerodynamic drag as long as the width and depth (height) remains the same (assuming it's primarily affected by front drag, not a cross wind). Assuming the Cd is still probably well under .30, then it's just a matter of increased weight affecting the mpg (negatively, unless all your stoplights are on top of hills).

[Prius Limo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Oct 23 2007, 02:20 PM) [snapback]529408[/snapback]</div>

Hey, that brings up another thought. Limo, how do you think the
stretch might have affected max payload? Six seats, and you could
easily be up to 850 pounds... and you've already added a lot of new
metal. Hmmm.
.
_H*
[/b]

That question has been on my mind. The building material alone added 200 lbs. Then with the added seats passengers and cargo we usually do exceed the payload recommended by Toyota. It will be interesting to see how the drive train holds up and how it handles in emergency situations. I still call this an experiment. The transmission is the least of my concerns. Toyota does good work. I am confident the system can handle the weight. I doubt our driving style puts any more stress on the tranny than aggressive driving would on a normal Prius. If wrong, transmissions are cheep. They usually survive a crash well and there are a lot of them on the market. I wouldn’t want to try this on a car that had a less superior braking system. In my opinion, the 850 lbs is the outer limit for optimal performance in all circumstances. Exceeding that requires some compensation in driving habits to stay within the design limits.

[Ken S]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prius Limo @ Oct 23 2007, 07:24 PM) [snapback]529464[/snapback]</div>

That question has been on my mind. The building material alone added 200 lbs. Then with the added seats passengers and cargo we usually do exceed the payload recommended by Toyota. It will be interesting to see how the drive train holds up and how it handles in emergency situations. I still call this an experiment. The transmission is the least of my concerns. Toyota does good work. I am confident the system can handle the weight. I doubt our driving style puts any more stress on the tranny than aggressive driving would on a normal Prius. If wrong, transmissions are cheep. They usually survive a crash well and there are a lot of them on the market. I wouldn’t want to try this on a car that had a less superior braking system. In my opinion, the 850 lbs is the outer limit for optimal performance in all circumstances. Exceeding that requires some compensation in driving habits to stay within the design limits.
[/b]

So, I guess you're not concerned about Toyota not honoring your warranty?

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prius Limo @ Oct 23 2007, 04:24 PM) [snapback]529464[/snapback]</div>

That question has been on my mind. The building material alone added 200 lbs. Then with the added seats passengers and cargo we usually do exceed the payload recommended by Toyota. It will be interesting to see how the drive train holds up and how it handles in emergency situations. I still call this an experiment. The transmission is the least of my concerns. Toyota does good work. I am confident the system can handle the weight. I doubt our driving style puts any more stress on the tranny than aggressive driving would on a normal Prius. If wrong, transmissions are cheep. They usually survive a crash well and there are a lot of them on the market. I wouldn’t want to try this on a car that had a less superior braking system. In my opinion, the 850 lbs is the outer limit for optimal performance in all circumstances. Exceeding that requires some compensation in driving habits to stay within the design limits.
[/b]

You do realise that the brakes on the Prius are smaller than a typical car with 15" wheels right? Having said that, I'm surprised it's still adequate. It'll be interesting to know the braking distance from 60mph with this limo and stock brakes

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ken S @ Oct 23 2007, 07:13 PM) [snapback]529505[/snapback]</div>

So, I guess you're not concerned about Toyota not honoring your warranty?
[/b]

lol... it is TWO Prius welded to one... which one gets the warranty

[Prius Limo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ken S @ Oct 23 2007, 08:13 PM) [snapback]529505[/snapback]</div>

So, I guess you're not concerned about Toyota not honoring your warranty?
[/b]

I am curious, what is a warrantee for? I have owned 11 Toyotas. I have not had any trouble with them. Not even the salvage cars. This car is a combination of five or six parts cars so the warrantee question is a little funny. None of the parts in this car even had a title, they were all junk certificates.

[Prius Limo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Oct 23 2007, 08:55 PM) [snapback]529517[/snapback]</div>

You do realise that the brakes on the Prius are smaller than a typical car with 15" wheels right? Having said that, I'm surprised it's still adequate. It'll be interesting to know the braking distance from 60mph with this limo and stock brakes
[/b]

Nothing made in the eighties had "adequate brakes" by today's standards. Yet most of us would not be afraid to drive an older car for that reason alone. Maybe that is why so many Prius get rear ended? To be honest, I cannot feel any difference in braking times or handling. It is just like our other Prius in most respects. I agree that stopping time would be longer in an emergency. Thus my comment about compensating in driving style, following speed limit, using reasonable following distances, etc.