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Heating the Prius Plug In, and warming up the engine on a cold startup.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by PHEV-1, Mar 6, 2015.

  1. PHEV-1

    PHEV-1 Junior Member

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    I am trying to figure out the control logic on a 2012 Plug In Prius (my point of reference is a 2008 Prius converted to Plug In using the A123 System).

    I have added: battery warmer, engine block heater, oil pan heater, coolant heater (oxymoron), and cabin heater.

    Last week, with OSA at about 0 degrees F, the engine ran for about 45 minutes, before (warming up) and shutting down. Earlier this week, temp. in the teens (15+-), the engine ran for about 8-10 minutes on start up before shutting down. Today with the temps. in the low 20's (22), the engine did not run on start up. In all three cases the HVAC was turned off. Ironically, the coldest day, I had operated the coolant heater, so at least the coolant was pre heated.
     
    #1 PHEV-1, Mar 6, 2015
  2. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    I'd like to know more about all of these add-ons.

    Did you, maybe, run into a forced fuel burn?
     
    #2 fotomoto, Mar 6, 2015
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wow, i don't think i've ever heard of so many heating products!:p what the heck is a cabin heater? i'd like to get one. i could be wrong, but 45 minutes seems too long at zero degrees. what temp are you setting the heat at, and how long until warmish air is coming out of the vents?

    how long was it running before all the add ons? don't use the '08 with plug in addition for reference, who knows what they do to the software.
     
    #3 bisco, Mar 6, 2015
  4. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Isn't easier to let the engine start/ run and warm up the vehicle for 10 minutes with out the extra hassle and expenses?(n)
     
    #4 mrbigh, Mar 6, 2015
  5. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Easier, yes, but it burns more fuel to do so. People have been using block heaters to reduce or eliminate the fuel 'guzzling' warm up cycle since I had a 2005.

    To the OP, have considered warming up the catalytic convertor somehow. That 45 minutes at 0F may have been to heat it up.
     
    #5 Trollbait, Mar 6, 2015
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    why would it take that long? not normal, i'm sure. almost.
     
    #6 bisco, Mar 6, 2015
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    grille blocke?
     
    #7 bisco, Mar 6, 2015
  8. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Dont get me wrong, but I have and use in a daily basis a PiP 2012 and doesn't take more than 10 minutes for the vehicle to get a comfortable temperature and we had have a harsh winter lately.
    I don't picture into the equation the coolant warmer and the cabin heater, if all of these are electrical power, that need to be connected and disconnected, probably by means of a timer or not, it is a waste.
    My personal opinion and experience because I went the same route awhile ago with similar perspective and hardware, not worth it.
     
    #8 mrbigh, Mar 6, 2015
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    after pondering this for the last 3 1/2 hours, it just struck me, are you the fir
     
    #9 bisco, Mar 6, 2015
  10. PHEV-1

    PHEV-1 Junior Member

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    JP: I do have a grille cover, but it was not installed at the time (the HVAC was also off). The coolant system does hook to the exhaust, about where the catalytic converter is located. I will look into this area in more detail.
     
    #10 PHEV-1, Mar 10, 2015
  11. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

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    Can you tell us about how this works?
     
    #11 kenmce, Mar 10, 2015
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    who is jp?
     
    #12 bisco, Mar 10, 2015
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can find the control logic here:
     
    #13 bisco, Mar 10, 2015
  14. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

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    I'm not seeing a link. 8-(
     
    #14 kenmce, Mar 11, 2015
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can't seem to get it to work, apparently, the o/p has introduced some type of blocking to the thread.
     
    #15 bisco, Mar 12, 2015
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