EBH--lower wattage and lower temp...? cold related?

**efusco** · 01-25-2008, 12:36 PM

Over the past 3-4 days I've noticed that my EBH only brings my ICE temp up to about 118F (usually gets up to around 130F) even if left plugged in for more than 4 hours. I use a Kill-a-watt meter than previously showed a pretty solid 411 Watt draw +/- 5 watts. But this morning I noticed it was showing only 378 Watts when I went to unplug (I haven't checked the prev. 3 days so I need to confirm with further checks now that I've noticed that).

Now, it's been quite cold out and I attributed the lower temps, but even in my garage which stays around 40-50F the ICE temp doesn't get up much higher. This is a basicly new EBH just installed a few months ago. No damage to the cord (IOW I haven't forgotten to unplug it) or anything else different.

Any thoughts on why the sudden drop in peak temp and wattage?

**Tideland Prius** · 01-25-2008, 01:43 PM

it should be the elec. company reducing power slightly to avoid an over-draw of current is it?

Aces · 02-03-2008, 02:25 PM

The best I can think of is voltage drop. If you normally get 120V AC, and the drop it to 115V AC, your wattage would drop proportionally. Any time there's resistance down the circuit, there will be a drop. That's why you loose power in a power tool if you use too small of an extension cord (Large gauge number). You could test voltage, while ebh is plugged in, at where the cord plugs at the car and at the wall. This can be done by pulling the plug out just enough to get the probes from the volt-meter in. But be careful to not short the terminals with either probe. If there's a big drop from one end of the cord to the other, you could have a cord that's got a break in it and the insulation allows it to make contact, but with resistance. If you have a new cord of same gauge and length you could see for sure if it has a problem.

**efusco** · 02-03-2008, 02:30 PM

Been meaning to update...things seem to be back to normal both temp wise and watt draw wise. Not sure what the fluke was.

01-25-2008, 12:36 PM	#1
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,226 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	EBH--lower wattage and lower temp...? cold related? Over the past 3-4 days I've noticed that my EBH only brings my ICE temp up to about 118F (usually gets up to around 130F) even if left plugged in for more than 4 hours. I use a Kill-a-watt meter than previously showed a pretty solid 411 Watt draw +/- 5 watts. But this morning I noticed it was showing only 378 Watts when I went to unplug (I haven't checked the prev. 3 days so I need to confirm with further checks now that I've noticed that). Now, it's been quite cold out and I attributed the lower temps, but even in my garage which stays around 40-50F the ICE temp doesn't get up much higher. This is a basicly new EBH just installed a few months ago. No damage to the cord (IOW I haven't forgotten to unplug it) or anything else different. Any thoughts on why the sudden drop in peak temp and wattage? __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD Seaside 04BC9/OEM EVb/NAV & auto-BT/XM Radio, CAN-View, Shark Fin, BT Stiff. Plate, Skid Plate & Strut Support

01-25-2008, 01:43 PM	#2
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,909 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Re: EBH--lower wattage and lower temp...? cold related? it should be the elec. company reducing power slightly to avoid an over-draw of current is it?

02-03-2008, 02:25 PM	#3
Aces Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 49 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: EBH--lower wattage and lower temp...? cold related? The best I can think of is voltage drop. If you normally get 120V AC, and the drop it to 115V AC, your wattage would drop proportionally. Any time there's resistance down the circuit, there will be a drop. That's why you loose power in a power tool if you use too small of an extension cord (Large gauge number). You could test voltage, while ebh is plugged in, at where the cord plugs at the car and at the wall. This can be done by pulling the plug out just enough to get the probes from the volt-meter in. But be careful to not short the terminals with either probe. If there's a big drop from one end of the cord to the other, you could have a cord that's got a break in it and the insulation allows it to make contact, but with resistance. If you have a new cord of same gauge and length you could see for sure if it has a problem.

02-03-2008, 02:30 PM	#4
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,226 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	Re: EBH--lower wattage and lower temp...? cold related? Been meaning to update...things seem to be back to normal both temp wise and watt draw wise. Not sure what the fluke was.