auto-charge procedure?

[member]

Someone had mentioned a sequence of gas pedal depressing, power-on, maybe odometer button pressing, that would instruct the vehicle to charge until "full". I cannot find any of that discussion no matter how hard I look on Priuschat or elsewhere. Can someone point me to that or simply repost? Much appreciated!

[efusco]

It's called force charging. Put the car in D, push the brake firmly and press the accelerator to the floor and keep it there until it won't charge any more.

Please realize that there are really not very many good reasons to do this...it's very inefficient energy wise. If you're going to be in an MPG challenge it's helpful to start with a full battery for a few extra feet of distance on electric only. If you're going to be storing the car for a very extended period (3-6 months?) then it would probably be smart to have it as fully charged as possible. Other than that there are no advantages in daily driving.

[member]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Aug 28 2007, 12:13 PM) [snapback]503303[/snapback]</div>

Other than that there are no advantages in daily driving.
[/b]

Thanks for the reply. There are times when my Prius doesn't want to charge more than 2 bars. I'm not sure if it's hot weather, running the AC or what. The engine power certainly isn't taken advantage of to charge it as RPMs sound the same. Occasionally I'll start a long steep hill in this condition, and I was looking for a way of not running out of battery while driving. Can you suggest another way?

[efusco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Display Name @ Aug 28 2007, 02:13 PM) [snapback]503343[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for the reply. There are times when my Prius doesn't want to charge more than 2 bars. I'm not sure if it's hot weather, running the AC or what. The engine power certainly isn't taken advantage of to charge it as RPMs sound the same. Occasionally I'll start a long steep hill in this condition, and I was looking for a way of not running out of battery while driving. Can you suggest another way? [/b]

You'll never run out of battery. Just drive the car it'll do the rest.

[member]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Aug 28 2007, 01:17 PM) [snapback]503346[/snapback]</div>

You'll never run out of battery. Just drive the car it'll do the rest.
[/b]

I actually run out of battery frequently. The result is an extremely
sluggish car that works hard to maintain 30mph uphill. It makes sense really.
Since the car draws off and charges the battery on long steep hills the same as it would
on flat ground. There is horsepower to spare obviously because the engine isn't
revving to compensate for the uphill load until *after* it runs out of battery.

[bwilson4web]

Climbing a 6% grade, if you'll keep your speed below 65 mph and 55 mph is perfect, you'll not have any significant battery drain. As your speed reaches 65 and above, the battery drain becomes pretty ugly. My trick is to follow a heavy truck up the truck climb lane. They are usually running at a perfect speed.

As for when a 'force charge' makes sense, let us say you have a reporter or hybrid skeptic you want to let drive your car. About half and hour before the meeting, do a 'force charge.' Then let them drive the car. Sure the mileage will look even better than normal but that is just to compensate for them driving it badly. <grins>

I also use this technique when testing quarter mile acceleration or when sitting next to a particularly obnoxious, gas-hog or motorcyclist. To them, the car sounds like it is running but in a 'Walter Mitty' sort of way . . . pocket-ta pocket-ta pocket-ta . . . and then the light changes. <GRINS>

Bob Wilson

[member]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bwilson4web @ Aug 28 2007, 01:30 PM) [snapback]503356[/snapback]</div>

Climbing a 6% grade, if you'll keep your speed below 65 mph and 55 mph is perfect, you'll not have any significant battery drain. As your speed reaches 65 and above, the battery drain becomes pretty ugly. My trick is to follow a heavy truck up the truck climb lane. They are usually running at a perfect speed.
[/b]

Ignoring the car's payload and slowing/accelerating around tight curves, you may be right.

I tried the force-charge yesterday and it worked as advertised. Thank you efusco!

The thread I had read long ago entailed pushing the gas pedal to the floor twice, and the car would charge by itself without holding anything down. Does that ring a bell?

[efusco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Display Name @ Aug 29 2007, 08:50 AM) [snapback]503724[/snapback]</div>

The thread I had read long ago entailed pushing the gas pedal to the floor twice, and the car would charge by itself without holding anything down. Does that ring a bell?
[/b]

No, never heard of that.

[bwilson4web]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Display Name @ Aug 29 2007, 08:50 AM) [snapback]503724[/snapback]</div>

. . .

The thread I had read long ago entailed pushing the gas pedal to the floor twice, and the car would charge by itself without holding anything down. Does that ring a bell?
[/b]

There are some 'maintenance modes' that leave the engine running for those states that must have an emissions gas sample. However, I've not tried to keep up on them and they really aren't for battery force charging.

Bob Wilson

[KMO]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Display Name @ Aug 28 2007, 08:20 PM) [snapback]503348[/snapback]</div>

I actually run out of battery frequently. The result is an extremely
sluggish car that works hard to maintain 30mph uphill.
[/b]

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?

I'm far from convinced that attempting to "manually" charge the battery first will work out more efficient overall than just letting it run at high revs up the hill.