Is riding the brake OK?

glassguy · 11-19-2005, 11:34 PM

I have unsuccessfully searched high and low for a posting on this, suspecting I'm asking a question answered long ago.

I live in the mountains northwest of Denver, and commute 26 miles horizontally and about half a mile vertically down to the plains each day. My half mile drop takes about four miles, and I am under the impression that I can regeneratively brake to my heart's content if I use only very light pedel pressure.

My questions are: Does anyone have a black box that can verify that continuous light braking entails NO friction braking? And, how hard do you have to push before friction braking kicks in? I'm thinking it's a pretty good mash before friction braking commences - true?

I know all about the engine braking feature, and find it's pretty lame (I still have to brake a lot on my hill). Oh yeah, I'm averaging 47 MPG in my '05 (pkg 6) :-)) What a magnificent car! I'm running Bridgestone Blizzak Revo 1s as we get a few 'three footers' every winter but I think they'll be fine. I've already had some very positive experiences with them on light ice and a few inches of snow.

Regards,

Glassguy

**efusco** · 11-20-2005, 12:12 AM

How gutsy are you?? I've got a link to show you how to hook up a brake indicator. Coastaletech.com has been advertising one for about 2 years now but is yet to put one into production for sale.

But I'll tell you this, I can just about promise you you're not getting close to your friction brakes with the kind of 'riding' you're doing and you are, indeed, regenerating away.

My only "but" I'll put on this is that if you hit any significant bumps that can trigger the regen braking to kick off except for the tiny amount of regen you get from 'coasting'. You can get full regen by going into B mode, or you can accelerate just a little bit (by actually pressing the accelerator, not just speeding up thanks to gravity) and it will restore full regen braking ability.

Frank Hudon · 11-20-2005, 12:33 AM

if you get the battery to full green no amount of regen is possible. On a 2500' decent your probably almost always into the full green. Then B is your only practical means of keeping the car at speed. Once full your into friction braking and you have no choice. Here in B.C. we have lots of 3-5000' decents and you can see full lots of time.

tripp · 11-20-2005, 02:02 AM

As long as you are slightly to moderately applying the brakes you should be using the motors. If you sudden jump on the brakes then you'll be using the disc/drum brakes. Also, at speeds below 8 mph the disc brakes do all the work. Frank and Evan does that sound about right to you?

It must be great watching the cumsumption screen on the way into Denver down I-70. I've yet to drive into the mountains in mine. I assume that it's pretty unpleasent watching the comsumption screen on your way home. Are you up near Idaho Springs?

richard schumacher · 11-20-2005, 11:03 AM

glassguy: you shift into "B" for the downgrade and you still need to ride the brake?

tripp · 11-20-2005, 11:49 AM

he's coming down out of the mountains into Denver. It's steep going for a long time.

richard schumacher · 11-21-2005, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripp@Nov 20 2005, 11:49 AM
he's coming down out of the mountains into Denver. It's steep going for a long time.

[snapback]158570[/snapback]

Understood; he didn't explicitly state that he was using "B", and I want to be sure.

windstrings · 11-21-2005, 05:25 PM

Quote:

I have unsuccessfully searched high and low for a posting on this, suspecting I'm asking a question answered long ago.

I live in the mountains northwest of Denver, and commute 26 miles horizontally and about half a mile vertically down to the plains each day. My half mile drop takes about four miles, and I am under the impression that I can regeneratively brake to my heart's content if I use only very light pedel pressure.

I can't find it, but I remember that they tested and after 100,000 miles there is virtually NO pad wear!.... you have to really bear down to even start friction braking from what I remember!

windstrings · 11-21-2005, 05:29 PM

Quote:

You can get full regen by going into B mode,

I'm mixed on what exactly B mode does?... I"ve heard the ICE uses compression to slow the car.. some have said it has NO regen qualities, others have said it does?
I myself have wondered that if it does, do both the 10Kw "and" the 50Kw chargers come into play at once?... if so what happens after the battery is fully charged... compression braking?

tripp · 11-21-2005, 05:38 PM

Windstrings.

check out this older thread:

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=1...=30%20amp&st=20

it pretty much lays it all out in gory detail.

11-19-2005, 11:34 PM	#1
glassguy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rattlesnake CO Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have unsuccessfully searched high and low for a posting on this, suspecting I'm asking a question answered long ago. I live in the mountains northwest of Denver, and commute 26 miles horizontally and about half a mile vertically down to the plains each day. My half mile drop takes about four miles, and I am under the impression that I can regeneratively brake to my heart's content if I use only very light pedel pressure. My questions are: Does anyone have a black box that can verify that continuous light braking entails NO friction braking? And, how hard do you have to push before friction braking kicks in? I'm thinking it's a pretty good mash before friction braking commences - true? I know all about the engine braking feature, and find it's pretty lame (I still have to brake a lot on my hill). Oh yeah, I'm averaging 47 MPG in my '05 (pkg 6) :-)) What a magnificent car! I'm running Bridgestone Blizzak Revo 1s as we get a few 'three footers' every winter but I think they'll be fine. I've already had some very positive experiences with them on light ice and a few inches of snow. Regards, Glassguy __________________ Acquired on the Autumnal Equinox: '05 Seaside Pearl with pkg. #6; pro-installed clear bra the next day. The degree of hostile criticism varies inversely with the square of the distance from any first-hand experience and knowledge of the subject at hand.

11-20-2005, 12:12 AM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 13,369 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 23	How gutsy are you?? I've got a link to show you how to hook up a brake indicator. Coastaletech.com has been advertising one for about 2 years now but is yet to put one into production for sale. But I'll tell you this, I can just about promise you you're not getting close to your friction brakes with the kind of 'riding' you're doing and you are, indeed, regenerating away. My only "but" I'll put on this is that if you hit any significant bumps that can trigger the regen braking to kick off except for the tiny amount of regen you get from 'coasting'. You can get full regen by going into B mode, or you can accelerate just a little bit (by actually pressing the accelerator, not just speeding up thanks to gravity) and it will restore full regen braking ability. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD Seaside 04BC9/OEM EVb/NAV & auto-BT/XM Radio, CAN-View, Shark Fin, BT Stiff. Plate, Skid Plate & Strut Support

11-20-2005, 02:02 AM	#4
tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,431 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	As long as you are slightly to moderately applying the brakes you should be using the motors. If you sudden jump on the brakes then you'll be using the disc/drum brakes. Also, at speeds below 8 mph the disc brakes do all the work. Frank and Evan does that sound about right to you? It must be great watching the cumsumption screen on the way into Denver down I-70. I've yet to drive into the mountains in mine. I assume that it's pretty unpleasent watching the comsumption screen on your way home. Are you up near Idaho Springs? __________________ Cheers, Tripp 2005 Silver Pkg 3, OEM Block Heater, Coastal Tech EV mod, BT Tech Chassis Stiffener, hell damned infernal reverse beep disabled Boulder Real Estate Howay the Toon! "Sometimes when you aim for the stars, you hit the moon." -- Ian Holloway

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11-20-2005, 12:33 AM	#3
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	if you get the battery to full green no amount of regen is possible. On a 2500' decent your probably almost always into the full green. Then B is your only practical means of keeping the car at speed. Once full your into friction braking and you have no choice. Here in B.C. we have lots of 3-5000' decents and you can see full lots of time.

11-20-2005, 11:03 AM	#5
richard schumacher ichorous liquor Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 3,990 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	glassguy: you shift into "B" for the downgrade and you still need to ride the brake?

11-20-2005, 11:49 AM	#6
tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,431 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	he's coming down out of the mountains into Denver. It's steep going for a long time.

11-21-2005, 05:38 PM	#10
tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,431 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	Windstrings. check out this older thread: http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=1...=30%20amp&st=20 it pretty much lays it all out in gory detail.