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Adjustable electric brake pros/cons

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by vvillovv, Aug 2, 2014.

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  1. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    What are the pros and cons of an adjustable B?

    Does anyone else beside me want it?
     
    #1 vvillovv, Aug 2, 2014
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what is it?
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 2, 2014
  3. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    The B on the shifter
    electric brake
    Teslas is driver adjustable.
     
    #3 vvillovv, Aug 2, 2014
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    adjustable braking to adjust speed downhill?
     
    #4 bisco, Aug 2, 2014
  5. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    I guess
     
    #5 vvillovv, Aug 2, 2014
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you've got me guessing.:cool:
     
    #6 bisco, Aug 3, 2014
  7. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    you have your own B letter on the shifter don't you?
    You can shift to it when you want to slow down faster than normal ie: by just taking your foot off the "ev pedal" - and it's supposed to give you regen.

    the confusion is not on porpose.
     
    #7 vvillovv, Aug 3, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2014
  8. testuserER

    testuserER Guest

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    You already have "user adjustable regen braking".
    The harder you push on the pedal, the more regen that takes place.
    Up to a point, that is.
     
    #8 testuserER, Aug 3, 2014
  9. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Yes, I would make use of it on occasion. While it is already somewhat controllable with the gas pedal, my proficiency there is less than desired.
     
    #9 fuzzy1, Aug 3, 2014
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  10. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    perhaps I should clarify a bit.
    Teslas e brake is automatic, much like the Pirus normal regen seen when removing your foot from the ev pedal to slow the car down. And without a "B on the shifter like in the PiP"..
    But it is driver adjustable, like a Potentiometer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Teslas e brake potentiometer is controlled from the console touchscreen
     
    #10 vvillovv, Aug 3, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2014
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    You may want to use different terminology. I entered this thread thinking you're talking about an electronic parking brake (that is showing up on luxury cars, including the Model S).

    What you're actually asking is adjustable regenerative braking, right?

    I wouldn't mind that but it'll be a bit more difficult to program on a hybrid (just my thought. I'm not an engineer). The reason I think it'll be more difficult is that you're dealing with two potential sources of braking - greater regeneration via the electric motor and engine braking using the gasoline engine. Ideally, you'd want just the electric motor as it's more energy efficient to just use that to slow you down and keep the engine off (even if it's just pumping to provide engine braking like it would if you shifted to B). The question is: how much regeneration can the Prius' electric motor provide? Is it great enough to warrant offering "standard" and "low" options like the Model S?
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Aug 4, 2014
  12. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    I don't understand, sorry. I'm driving all ev all the time so I guess I see it different.
    When I start using the ICE I will most likely see what you people are talking about with the reduced mpg when using the shifters B option,
    but for now I'm just not getting it. In ev I'm not worried about what the ICE does or doesn't do, so I guess that is where the difference is.
     
    #12 vvillovv, Aug 4, 2014
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    do you need mountainous terrain to take advantage of something like this? i never see the need for more regen. but it's pretty flat around here.
     
    #13 bisco, Aug 4, 2014
  14. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    Do you have B on your shifter?

    when driving in ev
    and you want to slow down but don't want to use the brake pedal for whatever reason might strike your fancy.
    ( make sure it's clear behind you ) look in your rear view mirror :)
    move the shifter to B

    ( electric brake )
    ( regen brake) - but that is a confusing term as well

    no - you don't have to be going downhill to get regen in B ( electric brake ) mode
     
    #14 vvillovv, Aug 4, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2014
  15. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    B is not just electric braking. In most situations, it also uses significant engine compression braking, wasting some energy that otherwise could have been saved. That is why many of us use it only on long downhills where it will be wasted regardless.
     
    #15 fuzzy1, Aug 10, 2014
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just out of curiosity, does "ev pedal" equal gas pedal??

    Wow, this is 20 questions. Anyway:

    B mode on Prius sole purpose is to substitute engine breaking for regen. To use engine compression as a brake, to avoid charging the battery to max, typically in a long downhill run, where having the car switch over to friction brakes might prove dangerous, leading to possible brake overheating and subsequent runaway condition.

    What was the question again? ;)
     
    #16 Mendel Leisk, Aug 10, 2014
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    why can't the pip be a tesla?:cool:
     
    #17 bisco, Aug 10, 2014
  18. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    Actually this was one of my beefs with a previous post about Toyota not tweeking the software for the PiP while in HV mode. It should be a relatively minor fix to adjust the regen braking with respect to battery level on the PiP.
     
    #18 drash, Aug 14, 2014
  19. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    sorry to spoil the fun boys
    maybe should read up on eCVT and what it's used for, not just what you think it's sole purpose is.
     
    #19 vvillovv, Aug 20, 2014
  20. dipper

    dipper Senior Member

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    #20 dipper, Aug 22, 2014
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