Enginer kit proper break-in charging cycles

[hobbit]

I wouldn't even *consider* trying to "bootstrap" a new pack and
get it correctly charged/balanced in extreme temperatures. Thats
going to throw off any number of thresholds. If you can haul
the whole box inside and work on it there, that might be much
better in the long run than working in the freezer.
.
The stock Prius system starts limiting battery currents down to 50
amps or less at around the freezing mark; this should tell us
something.
.
_H*

[ericbecky]

Originally Posted by dan2l

I caution against cycling the charger. When I turned my charger back on with fully charged batteries I got 13amps going into batteries that should have been only taking a trickle. I do not know how fast the charger will cut back in the second charging cycle.

Dan,
Are you saying that it stayed at 13amps for a period of time?
Or was this just a quick (a second or two) spike?

[brad_rules_man]

I could have sworn I saw someone that had the 8kw system in this thread, but I just read all the posts and didn't find it. I'm getting that one installed in my '10 and wondered how the '10's are holding up to the extra weight. Am I going to need to get new springs immediately?

[dan2l]

Originally Posted by ericbecky

Dan,
Are you saying that it stayed at 13amps for a period of time?
Or was this just a quick (a second or two) spike?

It stayed for about 30 seconds. It was droping slowly but I shut it down Because I did not want to over charge a full battery.

Thanks,
Dan

[banshee08]

Originally Posted by brad_rules_man

I could have sworn I saw someone that had the 8kw system in this thread, but I just read all the posts and didn't find it. I'm getting that one installed in my '10 and wondered how the '10's are holding up to the extra weight. Am I going to need to get new springs immediately?

I have a 8kwH system in my Gen3 Prius II. The sag is noticable but the car can keep running but I would not add anymore load to the car unless the springs are changed. I will be changing my springs once I can find some.

[brad_rules_man]

Originally Posted by banshee08

I have a 8kwH system in my Gen3 Prius II. The sag is noticable but the car can keep running but I would not add anymore load to the car unless the springs are changed. I will be changing my springs once I can find some.

Well hmm.. Thanks for the reply! I did see a gen 3 with 8kw installed in another thread. It looked good, but noticeable in an empty car. I believe I agree with you and I will let it go for now and keep it in my plans to get the springs.

[donalmilligan089]

will somebody PLEASE comment on enginer that has not had all the complications on this thread. I want one but I am scared to get one when all the comments sem to be negative Don

[dan2l]

Originally Posted by donalmilligan089

will somebody PLEASE comment on enginer that has not had all the complications on this thread. I want one but I am scared to get one when all the comments sem to be negative Don

Hi Don,
I put a 4k kit into my 2005. I also have the EV Hack built into the flashers. I love it for in town.

I have done 6 charge cycles. and I am now doing #7. It is working fine. I have had 2 balancer alarms just before the charger would have shut down anyway. Those charge cycles were stopped about 1% short of full. All the others went fine. I think that if I used the the system just a little less on each day for this break-in time, I would not have had those alarms. I do expect the alarms to go away as the kit is broken in. But I will probubly not do unattended charging until Enginer improves the charger shutdown.


You can see all my details in the "First Enginer PHEV install in the Portland Or area, Gen2 " thread. Sorry I am new enough that I do not know how to do the link.

I think that the current system requires you to have some technical understanding and to be vigelent in attention to details. If you are not technical maybe you should wait or find help from someone that is technical.

Thanks,
Dan

[ericbecky]

First, full disclosure for those that don't already know; I am providing installs of the Enginer system. I am very up front with anyone who asks me to do an install for them and make sure that they are suited for this kind of PHEV system. Here are some of the things I have told customers when they tell me they are considering having an Enginer system installed in their car.

If you want something that is foolproof and does not have issues, then this may not be the right kit for you yet. As you have read, people have had issues with Enginer kits, but as you have also read, Jack and his crew are quick to respond and help makes things right for customers.

There are other systems like the Hymotion that have been tested for a much longer time and will better fit many people's needs and lifestyle. You will also pay accordingly for such a system.

As it stands right now, it is simply a fact that for the Enginer kit you will need to actively attend to the battery charging process. This is how the system is currently built. This may not be convenient for many people. You need to be prepared to accommodate for this fact or else risk damaging your battery cells. It does appear that Enginer is looking at incorporating some different components in the future that will allow for completely unattended charging.

Regarding reliability, there are two issues I see at this time.
There is a possibility that one of your balancers may stop working properly. (And if this happens Jack will stand behind it and help make things right.)

There is a possibility that you may have a battery cell that does not work properly and may need replacing. (And if this happens Jack will stand behind it and help make things right.)

While both of these issues may affect how your Enginer system works, it will not affect how your Prius drives. You will be able to drive your Prius normally while you wait for the new component to arrive.

Anyone should feel free to call me or PM me if they have questions or are at all hesitant about the kit.

[donalmilligan089]

Thank you mr Powers. But has mr Chan been replaced?