Battery recharge threshold mod?

auricchio · 07-10-2006, 02:05 PM

Since Red is driving Highway 17, there's always the some good braking on the downhill portion. Trucks and lane-changers force this.

Red, the first thing you must consider is that Toyota is warranting the hybrid components and battery for 10yrs/150k miles in California. If you were able to make any changes in that system, you'd probably make things worse. You'd certainly void your warranty.

As Frank Hudon said, we're not talking about a lot of charge here. The ICE must run to provide the climbing horsepower, as with any car. Much of the ICE horsepower goes directly to the wheels, and some goes to MG1 to generate power. MG2 uses that power to add to the wheels.

Occasionally, MG1 generates a surplus, so the Prius opts to throw that into the battery.

It would be nice to provide "hints" to the system about expected terrain behavior---because the computer can't know you plan to go downhill soon. But what happens if you change your plans? You decide to turn off the road at a scenic overlook or stop for lunch. Now you've shut down the car with the battery in a very low SOC.

Having driver "hints" wold be nice, but it's a double-edged sword. The car would have to obey the hint, and then it can't stop you from double-crossing it!

whodat · 07-19-2006, 12:09 PM

I too drive hwy 17 in CA and have noticed that I fully charge the high voltage battery from the summit about halfway down and have wondered what happens with the extra charge after the battery shows full green and I'm still coasting and going downhill.

A larger batter capacity would be beneficial.

07-10-2006, 02:05 PM	#11
auricchio Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cambria, CA, USA Posts: 855 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Since Red is driving Highway 17, there's always the some good braking on the downhill portion. Trucks and lane-changers force this. Red, the first thing you must consider is that Toyota is warranting the hybrid components and battery for 10yrs/150k miles in California. If you were able to make any changes in that system, you'd probably make things worse. You'd certainly void your warranty. As Frank Hudon said, we're not talking about a lot of charge here. The ICE must run to provide the climbing horsepower, as with any car. Much of the ICE horsepower goes directly to the wheels, and some goes to MG1 to generate power. MG2 uses that power to add to the wheels. Occasionally, MG1 generates a surplus, so the Prius opts to throw that into the battery. It would be nice to provide "hints" to the system about expected terrain behavior---because the computer can't know you plan to go downhill soon. But what happens if you change your plans? You decide to turn off the road at a scenic overlook or stop for lunch. Now you've shut down the car with the battery in a very low SOC. Having driver "hints" wold be nice, but it's a double-edged sword. The car would have to obey the hint, and then it can't stop you from double-crossing it! __________________ 2006 Silver, pkg #8/dark grey interior, bought 30Mar06, build date Feb06, 31K miles. Mobil 1, 195/60 Hydroedges @ 38/36psi, Darell's cargo LED Living in beautiful Cambria, on California's Central Coast. Waste some time at my web page.

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07-19-2006, 12:09 PM	#12
whodat Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aptos, CA Posts: 69 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I too drive hwy 17 in CA and have noticed that I fully charge the high voltage battery from the summit about halfway down and have wondered what happens with the extra charge after the battery shows full green and I'm still coasting and going downhill. A larger batter capacity would be beneficial.