Hymotion "flashing LED" error codes

[SaucyRed]

Does anybody have a list of the Hymotion error codes? (When the pack detects an error, it flashes the LED by the on/off switch on the dash. You get a bunch of short flashes, with a long flash in between). I've asked my installer, but it's the weekend.

The first time it flashed, I didn't realize you were supposed to count the flashes until it went away.

Then my wife saw it Friday and said there were 14 flashes. A123 said that means that the 12V battery is low; which is possible, but I doubt it. The flashing went away and when it came back yesterday, I counted and I got 12 flashes. I'm still waiting to find out what that means.

I think my wife was counting the long delimiter flash, which I don't include; but then I can't explain why we're off by two. Maybe it's really giving us a different error now.

[PeakOilGarage]

SaucyRed,
I had flashing on mine once. It happened when I tried to to start the Prius while the Hymotion system was plugged in recharging.

I drove to Green Car Company to look up the error code on their computer system.
My attempt to start the Prius, while it was plugged in, created a communication error between the Hymotion L5 battery and the Prius.

But when we went outside to check my Hymotion Prius, the code went away. It seems that just rebooting the system, turning the car off for a while, allows the L5 battery to regain communication with the Prius.

I have not had any problems in the past week since this happened.

I no longer turn the Hymotion battery off at all. I just leave the button in the "ON" position at all times until the battery is empty. Even when it is empty I leave it in the "ON" position. Whenever I play with the button, trying to guess when I can use the stock battery for a while, I normally just get a bunch of beeping.

The system seems much happier to be left "ON" all the time.

[boxer93]

Originally Posted by PeakOilGarage

I no longer turn the Hymotion battery off at all. I just leave the button in the "ON" position at all times until the battery is empty. Even when it is empty I leave it in the "ON" position. Whenever I play with the button, trying to guess when I can use the stock battery for a while, I normally just get a bunch of beeping.

The system seems much happier to be left "ON" all the time.

I agree. I tried turning it off once when my pack was drained. No difference. I drive as if the switch doesn't exist.
I do think it wiold be great if we had a list of the codes. Peakoil how well do you know your dealer
Chris

[SaucyRed]

Yeah, I leave my pack on all the time too.

We got lots more flashing LEDs. Always 12 or 13 flashes. A123 and my installer were quick to tell me that 14 flashes (my wife's miscount) meant the 12V battery, but didn't seem to want to tell me what 12 and 13 meant. But after several iterations and some apparent puzzlement on their part, I took it in today and they gave me a new pack. Fingers crossed.

[PeakOilGarage]

Originally Posted by boxer93

I agree. I tried turning it off once when my pack was drained. No difference. I drive as if the switch doesn't exist.
I do think it wiold be great if we had a list of the codes. Peakoil how well do you know your dealer
Chris

I am an investor in the dealer. I can get all of the flashing codes and their meaning. But I need to check with Hymotion to see if I can post them publicly.

[PeakOilGarage]

Originally Posted by SaucyRed

Yeah, I leave my pack on all the time too.

We got lots more flashing LEDs. Always 12 or 13 flashes. A123 and my installer were quick to tell me that 14 flashes (my wife's miscount) meant the 12V battery, but didn't seem to want to tell me what 12 and 13 meant. But after several iterations and some apparent puzzlement on their part, I took it in today and they gave me a new pack. Fingers crossed.

Wow. That was cool of them.

I heard that one owner backed his Prius into the garage with the rear hatch open. It caused the side to become leaky and water started collecting under the Hymotion battery. Some water got inside of the battery. It ruined it. I suspect it is not covered by insurance or warranty. The damge to the car is covered, but not the battery unless you added the battery to your insurance as an aftermarket upgrade.

[boxer93]

Originally Posted by PeakOilGarage

I am an investor in the dealer. I can get all of the flashing codes and their meaning. But I need to check with Hymotion to see if I can post them publicly.

Sounds interesting. On a side note do you know if they would give out the information on the rear spring/shock install they did for the Charity model ? I definitely notice the height difference in the rear and would like to know what they did to offset the extra 200lbs.
Chris

[PeakOilGarage]

Originally Posted by boxer93

On a side note do you know if they would give out the information on the rear spring/shock install they did for the Charity model ? I definitely notice the height difference in the rear and would like to know what they did to offset the extra 200lbs.
Chris

We had one designed with a local shop. It is specifically designed to support the 180 lbs of extra Hymotion weight in the rear of the Prius. We are ordering a lot of them because we have several hundred Hymotion batteries to install. We figure a lot of people will pay $200 for parts and 1 hour for labor to upgrade the rear spring so it doesn't ride so low.

We could probably ship you a set of rear springs and you could find someone local to you that can install them.

Call Green Car Company and ask for Susan. She is the general manager. Tell her you read about the upgrade springs on the charity auction listing and she will tell you the price and shipping. I don't know all of the details personally. It might be a little more than $200, but I am not positive of the exact amount. I don't think they have even considered selling them outside of this location.

[SaucyRed]

Aurgh. Even with a new pack...we got 13 flashes today. I'm taking it in to the installer tomorrow. Is anybody else getting these, or am I really the unfortunate one?

I really love getting 100mpg when the pack is working...and being able to pick my daughter up from work entirely in electric mode when it's warm...but sure hate hauling around 200 useless pounds (at over $50/pound) when it's not.

[lbligh]

FYI, we haven't had any flashes at all. Sounds as if something is wrong.