auto-charge procedure?

[member]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KMO @ Aug 29 2007, 11:27 AM) [snapback]503835[/snapback]</div>

And this is a problem? Are you saying it can't maintain 30mph uphill? Or are you really just complaining that it's a bit noisy?
[/b]

It really can't maintain 30 mph uphill. I'm accustomed to the ICE sound. Efficiency isn't always the ultimate goal.

[bwilson4web]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Display Name @ Aug 29 2007, 02:44 PM) [snapback]503913[/snapback]</div>

It really can't maintain 30 mph uphill. I'm accustomed to the ICE sound. Efficiency isn't always the ultimate goal.
[/b]

Could you provide more detail:

1) Google map showing the segment
2) Topozone map of the same segment

All of my data indicates you should be OK up to 60 mph. We really need to understand the scenario including what happens before reaching the base of the hill. Also, is this just one hill or do other hills present the same problem.

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

ps. On the Google map, use the point-to-point driving option to get a route segment that includes the hill. It doesn't have to include any sensitive data such as home or work locations. You can use the 'handles' in Google to make and even mark the start and stop of the hill. Google maps can give you a valid URL that we can use to bring up the same map or post it as a link in your reply.

pps. Topozone is a little trickier. Navigate to the area and move the center point until it is in the middle of the hill. Then adjust the scale until you get something that overlaps the Google map. Topozone will also give you a cut-and-paste URL that we can use.

[qbee42]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Display Name @ Aug 29 2007, 03:44 PM) [snapback]503913[/snapback]</div>

It really can't maintain 30 mph uphill. I'm accustomed to the ICE sound. Efficiency isn't always the ultimate goal.
[/b]

That's hard to believe, unless there is something wrong with your Prius. People go up Pike's Peak faster than that.

Tom

[member]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Aug 29 2007, 03:17 PM) [snapback]503967[/snapback]</div>

That's hard to believe, unless there is something wrong with your Prius. People go up Pike's Peak faster than that.

Tom
[/b]

It's true, and it's repeatable on given routes, at least with my 07. Mind you I frequently drive with at least one other adult and do use AC in the summer. Pike's Peak's grade is relatively consistent so I wouldn't be surprised if people go up faster before battery drain. If you live in Colorado, you can try just about any route to Goldhill and see the problem. Also getting to Jamestown, Nederland etc. from the plains. An extreme example is coming from Pineclif to Wonderview. If anyone can do that at or above the posted limits without draining the battery I'd love to hear about it, especially with the AC on.

Bob, I'm sorry but I don't wish to go to that much effort (to be honest) but if you're interested, you can map those towns I've mentioned. I've re-edited this post a couple times - forgot to add requested info. Yes, type of hill, or perhaps "sequence of inclines" does seem to matter. If I'm driving for 10 miles up a gentle incline, say 3% then hit something steep, like 6% or more, the car will continuously lose battery. If I drive, say, 5 mph over the limit, the same route can put the battery drain over the edge and the car will come to that crawl. If this happens on a steep incline, the car will not go over 30 mph. If you don't live in an area where you ascend and descend 3000-5000 ft on a trip, you may never experience this. Since we camp and fish a lot, we go into the foothills frequently so I've noticed this problem. Of course, coming down these slopes means my battery goes to a full charge very quickly.

Found this link to other people with the same problem:

http://priuschat.com/Lost-all-Power-going-...ses-t36757.html

Also remembered this didn't seem to happen in the winter, and I'm wondering if a warm/hot battery simply discharges slower...

[fred s]

Have you tried turning off the AC for this trip uphill?

[qbee42]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Display Name @ Aug 30 2007, 12:41 PM) [snapback]504346[/snapback]</div>

It's true, and it's repeatable on given routes, at least with my 07. Mind you I frequently drive with at least one other adult and do use AC in the summer. Pike's Peak's grade is relatively consistent so I wouldn't be surprised if people go up faster before battery drain. If you live in Colorado, you can try just about any route to Goldhill and see the problem. Also getting to Jamestown, Nederland etc. from the plains. An extreme example is coming from Pineclif to Wonderview. If anyone can do that at or above the posted limits without draining the battery I'd love to hear about it, especially with the AC on.
[/b]

Ah, this makes more sense. It's the term "hill" that had me confused. Your idea of a hill is a lot different than mine. We have lots of hills, but the tallest one in the county is only about 450 feet from top to bottom. Mountain pass might get my attention.

Tom

[bwilson4web]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Display Name @ Aug 30 2007, 11:41 AM) [snapback]504346[/snapback]</div>

. . . If I'm driving for 10 miles up a gentle incline, say 3% then hit something steep, like 6% or more, the car will continuously lose battery. If I drive, say, 5 mph over the limit, the same route can put the battery drain over the edge and the car will come to that crawl. If this happens on a steep incline, the car will not go over 30 mph. If you don't live in an area where you ascend and descend 3000-5000 ft on a trip, you may never experience this. Since we camp and fish a lot, we go into the foothills frequently so I've noticed this problem. Of course, coming down these slopes means my battery goes to a full charge very quickly.
. . .
Also remembered this didn't seem to happen in the winter, and I'm wondering if a warm/hot battery simply discharges slower...
[/b]

Now I see the problem and the problem is clear. The rule of thumb I've found is:

55 mph - works all the way to the top of any 6% grade
60 mph - probably works OK
65 mph - will run out of battery
65+ mph - will run out pretty quickly

AC is a problem so too is any additional weight. So my thinking is use to same speed as a heavy, semi-trailer going up a grade and you'll be good to go. Go faster and there will be disappointment.

Bob Wilson

[member]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fred S @ Aug 30 2007, 11:52 AM) [snapback]504394[/snapback]</div>

Have you tried turning off the AC for this trip uphill?
[/b]

Good point! Yes I have, and I have 1 bar a little longer with the same end result. If we get stuck
behind a cement truck or something and have to drive extremely slow the battery also lasts longer.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bwilson4web @ Aug 30 2007, 04:05 PM) [snapback]504533[/snapback]</div>

Now I see the problem and the problem is clear. The rule of thumb I've found is:

55 mph - works all the way to the top of any 6% grade
60 mph - probably works OK

[/b]

Any 6% grade?

Take a look in google earth at the route from Golden, Colorado, US to Georgetown, Colorado, US on I70.