Enginer Switch Update

We replaced our Enginer switch setup with the OEM EV switch + a nice clean looking rocker switch to turn the PHEV on/off.

Also replaced the red LED with a buzzer, since I have yet to notice the red LED when it has lit up.

I very much prefer this new setup. It not only looks 1000% better, the feel of the EV switch in operation is much nicer and it may be a coincidence but I found that the EV mode engaged much more often yesterday. It is still pretty warm here so I don't think it was a temp change.

Wow, that looks real nice! I think I might have to take that approach too. I like the buzzer idea since I haven't noticed the red LED coming on either. Stupid question, does your buzzer come on when the pack is low? I was trying to figure out if the lack of red LED was a signaling issue or an LED issue...

We haven't had a chance to run the battery down yet. I'll post here after we have confirmed it works.

Here is the link to the buzzer we used:

75dB Piezo Electric Buzzer - RadioShack.com

Question for you... Is your EV switch set up to work in parallel with the Enginer EV mode or did you disconnect the Enginer EV controls and you run your EV switch separately?

I had an EV switch installed before I got the Enginer kit, so I didn't hook up the EV mode from the kit. I'm not getting the performance increase I expected from the kit, so I might just hook up the kit wires in addition to my switch.

Our EV switch is separate from the Enginer switch now.

I like having the EV switch separate as there isn't a logical reason to turn the PHEV on and off just to get into EV mode.

Then you disconnected the Enginer EV switch wires and put them on your new switch (or that's the net result...)?

Yes. The EV switch is now on its own.

Thanks. That's how mine is setup, but I'm not getting a big boost from the kit yet...might just need to wait for battery break-in a little longer.

The buzzer is a good idea but it is still binary, either you have juice or you don't. I use a digital voltmeter to monitor the pack voltage. It's like a gas gauge. You have a full tank at 52.0V (converter on)and an empty tank at 46.0V. It drops fairly quickly at the beginning and the end but is pretty linear in the middle. It's actually better than the Prius gas gauge for letting you know how much is left. The only caveat is that you need a good voltmeter because the cheap ones will drift and give bad readings.

Hmmm..I've got a WATT'S UP on my 48 volt e-bike that works quite well. I'm told the shunt can be replaced (or augmented) as well for amp-hours...

Jack

Edit: http://www.powerwerx.com/tools-meters/watts-up-meter-dc-inline.html

We made the modification to fit the way we use the system. While knowing exactly how many volts are left is certainly useful, however we don't want a multimeter velcro'd to the dash.

The LED wasn't serving its purpose at all and the buzzer will certainly tell us know when to turn the system off, which is all we need.

Our main goal was to make the interface look less like a 'kit'.

Nice work on the rocker switch enhancement! Would you happen to have a link to that part as well? Does the LED on the switch light up when in the 'on' position? (couldn't really tell from the pic) Have you had a chance to test your buzzer? How do you like it? Can you hear it from it's location (behind the button?)? Does it stop buzzing when you turn off the system? Thx!

The current switch doesn't light the LED. I have ordered two different switches to try. One of them has a 2v LED which should work. I will post here after I get one or the other to light up the LED.

Haven't had a chance to run the voltage down to 46v yet to test the buzzer. We tested the buzzer with a battery and it was plenty loud for us.

Yes it should stop buzzing after you shut the system down since it is connected in place of the red LED.

Couldn't quite figure out from the post, but are you able to read the Volt reading from the cockpit? A wireless Voltmeter or something?

11011011

Yes, I have a Voltmeter in my forward cupholder. It is wired (with an inline fuse) to the main terminals between the batteries and converters.

Hi Dave,
I love the look.
Did you ever get the LED to light? If so do you have a part#?

Also I was thinking of setting up some lodgic for ....
If I have 120Vac into the charger and the Brake lights go on, then buzzzz.
This would remind my wife to unplug when she hits the Power switch or shifts into gear.

Thanks again,
Dan

I did find a switch that lit up, it is a bit dim but it does light up. I also ran 12v to the EV switch which now is light up also.

Give me a couple of days to figure out where I got it from and I'll post it.

Hey Dan, here is the link to the switch I am using. It has a 2v green led. The kit puts out about 1.5v so it works OK. I would say it is medium brightness.

Browsing Store - 30-16425 <I>Lighted Rocker Switch: On/Off, 2V DC Green LED </I>

This is certainly cleaner-looking than my switch. I also didn't like the PHEV switch linked to the EV button. One reason was that I often drive the 2 miles to work entirely in EV mode. Sometimes, at long lights, I have to turn off the PHEV or the OEM battery will charge enough to disable the EV mode. But I want to be able to turn the PHEV back on without turning the EV mode off.

So I modified the Enginer switch by using a sewing pin attached to a small button in the back. Pressing the head of the pin turns the EV mode on and off.