107 mpg. 1,100 mile tank. Enginer system back on track.

[ericbecky]

Below is the latest report from my customer in Indiana that has a 4kwh Enginer kit in his 2010 Prius. It has RealForce batteries and a BMS we installed from Pacific EV. We may switch back to the Enginer BMS in the future since it has a bit more features and datalogging ability..

I am not posting this to taunt anyone but to give you reassurance about my customer's experience with Enginer system. While you will probably not get as high of mpg as this guy gets, I am confidant that we can get systems dialed in so they are operating to the best they can be.

So here's what he told me today...

He finally used up the tank of gas he was on when we put in the new balancer a few weeks ago.
His results:
**107 mpg !! **
This was hand calculated at the pump.
He couldn't remember exactly, but it was something like 1,141 miles, 10.67 gallons.

He said he drives around with 99.9 on his screen almost all the time.

On his latest round-trip commute (42 miles) he still had a tiny amount left in the Enginer pack.

Previously this customer had problems with an imbalanced pack, plus at least one component that he accidentally shorted out by putting a screwdriver in the wrong place.

As an installer, it has taken time, patience, and perseverance to get to this point. But the customer definitely feels like it was worth it. He is very satisfied.

I also want to mention that this guy is still kind of an outlier. He says he usually gets 57 mpg on his commute without any PHEV pack, and his best tank previously was ~68mpg. This is without any special techniques. He just has a commute that is good for the Prius that involves quite a bit of 45 mph roads.

[F8L]

That is awesome.

When my battery bites the dust I'll likely move into a plug-in system. It's cheaper and more efficient than buying a new car.

My only problem is I commute approximately 50miles one-way, at high speeds (65-70mph), and no ability to charge at work. So unless these systems will allow me to use the pack in mixed mode at those speeds I don't think I would benefit a whole lot.

[SageBrush]

My only problem is I commute approximately 50miles one-way, at high speeds (65-70mph)

This could only be written on a a Prius forum lol

[F8L]

Originally Posted by SageBrush

This could only be written on a a Prius forum lol

So true. lol

[pbui]

Originally Posted by F8L

My only problem is I commute approximately 50miles one-way, at high speeds (65-70mph), and no ability to charge at work. So unless these systems will allow me to use the pack in mixed mode at those speeds I don't think I would benefit a whole lot.

I find that the Enginer offers little mpg increase at high speed, and zippo on hills.

[F8L]

Originally Posted by pbui

I find that the Enginer offers little mpg increase at high speed, and zippo on hills.

That is what I gathered. The only one that seems like it would help is the PlugIn Supply unit but at $10k+$1,000 (for CA purchase) I'd rather just buy the Prius c when it comes out. lol

[sub3marathonman]

Originally Posted by pbui

I find that the Enginer offers little mpg increase at high speed, and zippo on hills.

Theoretically it shouldn't matter what rate electricity is supplied, all EV miles are equal. So if you go the 16 miles at 10 mph, deplete the 4kw, and then drive at 70 mph for the remaining 34 miles, or drive at 70 mph for all 50 miles depleting the 4kw in mixed mode, there should be no difference.

I have started to wonder if it isn't better to drive mixed if going far beyond whatever pack capacity you have, in order to attempt to keep the Prius in the maximum mpg mode that it can get to when there is enough battery energy being supplied.

[F8L]

The drawback for me is that I live within 2 miles of the freeway onramp then it's speed limit of 70mph for some of the trip then it drops to 65mph. The offramp for my work is less than 2 miles away from my job. As you can see there is very little use of the extra battery unless it allows for mixed mode use at high speeds.

[cproaudio]

You still see 10-35mpg improvements at 65mph. I rarely drive on the freeway but when I do, I average about 80-100mpg for the 5 mile stretch.

[ericbecky]

I just got a mid-tank update from this customer.

The last time he filled up was the beginning of July.

He is on his way to a 1,400 mile tank of gas!

His first 5 minutes during warm-up is ~55mpg, but once he is past that the mpg-meter is pegged at 99.9 mpg!

I'm not sure I can even continue to use this customer as an example because his results are truly hard to believe. I told him he has to send some pics next time.