NEW PHEV Install!

[gasnippr]

I am so happy to find this forum! I just had the Hymotion L5 installed in my 2005 Prius last Monday. I'm pretty certain I'm the first one in my county to go for it! I've already got a question, though. I thought that the warm-up cycle with the ICE would always start shortly after pushing the ON button. Since my L5 install, sometimes it never does. Will this be a problem in terms of not having the engine, oil, etc. warm? I generally keep the heater on at 65 degrees this time of year (the outside temperature has been in the 30-40 range in the mornings). While I'd like to use zero gas, I don't want to harm my system.

[PeakOilGarage]

If you have the heat on inside, your Hymotion Prius is much more likely to start running the ICE.

When I start my Hymotion Prius in the morning, it stays in EV mode as long as I stay at 32 mph or less. Also, don't mash the accelerator and normal stuff. But you can handle regular stop and go traffic with the ICE never coming on for about about 20-25 miles in pure EV mode.

If you do happen to trigger the ICE via a hard acceleration or a brief moment above 33 mph, then the Prius will go through a regular warm-up period. With the ScanGauge II, I typically see that the ICE will turn off at about 115-120 degrees F, which only takes about 2 minutes to reach. Then it is pure EV again as long as you stay below 33 mph.

You won't harm your Prius system. With regular driving I find that my system at some point or another goes through the warm-up phase. It really takes dedication to stay in pure EV mode the entire day. I don't even try except for special situations.

Although, if I know I am just going to be driving around in town, the speed limit everywhere is 30 or 35 mph. So I make it a point to stay in pure EV mode as much as possible.

Also, learn where your electrical outlets are around you. Use every opportunity to recharge, even if it is only 15-30 minutes. Those extra recharging periods will get you double the EV range each day.

[jrmgkia]

If you haven't already done so, check out the full review from 'TheForce' he had it installed back in August and he was one of the first person I know of to do the conversion: http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-mo...-in-prius.html

[Flying White Dutchman]

Originally Posted by gasnippr

I am so happy to find this forum! I just had the Hymotion L5 installed in my 2005 Prius last Monday. I'm pretty certain I'm the first one in my county to go for it! I've already got a question, though. I thought that the warm-up cycle with the ICE would always start shortly after pushing the ON button. Since my L5 install, sometimes it never does. Will this be a problem in terms of not having the engine, oil, etc. warm? I generally keep the heater on at 65 degrees this time of year (the outside temperature has been in the 30-40 range in the mornings). While I'd like to use zero gas, I don't want to harm my system.

and what country are you from then?

[priusFTW]

Originally Posted by Flying White Dutchman

and what country are you from then?

Re-read what he wrote. He said County, not Country.

[gasnippr]

Great advice...thank you! I live in Kitsap County (Washington state)....
Any idea what's going on with this one? Today, while I pulled over to take a call, the car kept wanting to idle...what I mean is that it would start to shut off then come on again. It did this at least 5 times. I was enjoying my normal 65 inside heater temperature and had pulled over after driving down hill in EV mode (the car had only sat for 45 minutes after an 8 mile drive). Do I have a problem here?

[Rae Vynn]

Wooo Hoooo! Another washingtonian!

I have no idea, as I don't have the EV conversion, but I'm sure that if you go to Tony's link, above, you can shoot him any questions

Welcome to Prius Chat!

[PeakOilGarage]

Originally Posted by gasnippr

Any idea what's going on with this one? Today, while I pulled over to take a call, the car kept wanting to idle...what I mean is that it would start to shut off then come on again. It did this at least 5 times. I was enjoying my normal 65 inside heater temperature and had pulled over after driving down hill in EV mode (the car had only sat for 45 minutes after an 8 mile drive). Do I have a problem here?

If your stock Prius NiMH battery is full at 8/8, you will have that behavior. That can happen after a downhill drive with regen sending energy into the NiMH stock Prius battery. I have the same situation at a stoplight at the bottom of a hill from leaving my neighborhood.

So when I am going downhill, I switch the Hymotion battery off. I actually try to get the stock Prius battery down to 5/8 before I start the downhill portion. That way I know it will only be at 7/8 at the bottom of the hill. Then when I am driving on a flat area again, I turn the Hymotion battery back on. I have gotten this routine down so good that I can do the first 3 miles in pure EV mode on just the stock battery before using any Hymotion energy. The only time the Hymotion battery is on happens when I first turn the car on, just to establish EV mode, then I flip it off until the 3 miles into my trip.

[gasnippr]

You're exactly right...the Prius battery is full. I'll try turning off the L5 on the downhills & using it when the road levels out. But, my understanding is that the L5 shouldn't be turned off while you're in motion. Maybe I misunderstood.

[boxer93]

gasnippr,
On the question on the ICE running, the heater could definitely be the cause. If you run "auto" it will run the ICE to keep you warm. If you want it to shut off I have found that after the ICE is warmed up I set the fan on 2nd or 3rd button from the LO side. Before the ICE is warmed up it will continue to run if the fan is on. I find myself in the first few miles turning the fan on when I know the ICE will be running and then shutting it off when coming to a traffic light.
Also as Peakoil has mentioned your car should be wired for EV mode automatically and it will engage when appropriate.
How do you like your Hymotion so far? What kind of driving and mileage have been able to achieve.
Chris