Plug in Supply Questions

[DBusch]

I am thinking of purchasing a 4kwh Plug in Supply kit for my 2008 Prius. Does anyone have any first hand experience with the kit or Plug in Supply? Specifically does the kit deliver the suggested 15 miles EV? Is it plug and go, or is there the endless tinkering that Enginer users experience - I had one of those and sent it back. How is the customer support? Robb has responded well to my inquiry, but I'd like an objective reference.

Thanks,
David

[ericbecky]

The 4kwh kit is a newly introduced product in the last 3 months. Not sure you'll find anyone who has had it that long, but if you get it, I'll be interested to hear your feedback.

Before you buy any of these PHEV systems you need to understand that it will not be perfect. Seriously. If you want perfect, then you need to stop pursuing any of these systems right now. Otherwise, you'll only create frustration for yourself.

While I doubt there will be endless tinkering, I am certain there may be some tinkering at times. They are at the mercy of their suppliers and if they are given a bad set of components, it may not always be caught before they are installed in customer vehicles. None of these systems are tested as much or as long as what the OEM's can do, so in essence you are there to report any issues that arise in the field.

Customer support is variable but the people behind the product are good people. PIS will help as much as they can via their support people but you may have to wait. Patience is required with any of these aftermarket PHEV systems. None of them have huge staff. If you have a local person who can do the install or be there to support you locally, that would be a great asset.

Oh, and feel free to call me to discuss ideas any time. 608-729-4082

[scottsim]

Originally Posted by DBusch

I am thinking of purchasing a 4kwh Plug in Supply kit for my 2008 Prius. Does anyone have any first hand experience with the kit or Plug in Supply? Specifically does the kit deliver the suggested 15 miles EV? Is it plug and go, or is there the endless tinkering that Enginer users experience - I had one of those and sent it back. How is the customer support? Robb has responded well to my inquiry, but I'd like an objective reference.

Thanks,
David

PIS has been good to me and my 10KWh conversion, see my blog for more, still need to get the latest upgrade, but much is about how well your dealer/installer will take care of you.

Scott
Scott's Plug-in Pruis Blog | Converting my 2009 Pruis into a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)

[ericbecky]

Scott,
Has your system been 100% usable while you've had it installed?
Have you ever had to have any items replaced/upgraded/tweaked?
If so, was the system unusable for a period of time, and about how long did it take to get things up and going again. (Days, weeks, months?)

I want people to have realistic expectations and one of the best ways to do this is by hearing from owners like you.

[scottsim]

Originally Posted by ericbecky

Scott,
Has your system been 100% usable while you've had it installed?
Have you ever had to have any items replaced/upgraded/tweaked?
If so, was the system unusable for a period of time, and about how long did it take to get things up and going again. (Days, weeks, months?)

I want people to have realistic expectations and one of the best ways to do this is by hearing from owners like you.

It has always (20 months) been useable and has been tweaked often along the way to run better, software upgrades, etc. All at no charge thus far...initially there may have been a few days without function, but PIS was on it.

[DBusch]

Originally Posted by scottsim

It has always (20 months) been useable and has been tweaked often along the way to run better, software upgrades, etc. All at no charge thus far...initially there may have been a few days without function, but PIS was on it.

Thanks for the replies. I'm on the fence having had a lackluster experience with Enginer and I can't make sense of the Plug in Supply - Plug in Solution argument. Jack at Enginer was great....sometimes, and that is not an indicator that the same thing would happen again. I am mechanical, but not really electrical - meaning I can install the kit but would be challenged as to trouble shooting it. There appear to be no local installers in the Hudson Valley area of NY. I embrace the idea, but am proceeding cautiously. Any other thoughts are appreciated.
David

[banshee08]

It looks like Plug In Supply now supports the Gen3 Prius also. I am very interested in the 4kW system also since my last working converter just kicked the bucket in 2 year old enginer kit.

[dan2l]

Hello,
I had communicated with Paul at 3prong about this a few months ago. Paul installs the 10kwhr system and is very happy with that. I suggest contacting him with questions if you have them.

At the time that I communicated with Paul, he indicated that he had questions about the 4kwhr system. He stated, "I have yet to see one working."

Anyway, the details of a system do not always scale down when you go to a smaller battery pack. In the case of Enginer the 4kwhr system is OK and the 8kwhr systems seemed to work very well, but I have heard nothing but complaints about the 2kwhr system.

Again, as Eric asked. Has anyone seen a 4kwhr PIS system working?

Thanks,
Dan

[cproaudio]

does plugin supply have a support forum like enginer. I talked to the PIS guys at green drive expo. they seem to have their act together. judging from their system, I don't see any components that can fail prematurely. the batteries are rated at 10C discharge. at 16AH, that's 160 amps. PIS has shown that at 65mph the battery draws 100 amps. they have inhouse BMS. they design their own ECU. The only thing I can see that can go wrong is the charger. their warranty for the electronic components are 3 years, batteries are 2 years, and 1 year for the charger.

[cproaudio]

dupe