New PHEV Install: Plug-in Supply Kit

I had my kit installed Friday and Saturday of last week (Dec 19 and Dec 20) at Electrik Innovations in Long Beach, CA. I was their first PHEV conversion customer! The installers working on my Prius (Arturo and his father) were absolutely fantastic! They even let me help out and take photos of the install!

On my way home, I was able to achieve over 99.9 MPG from Long Beach to my home 26 miles away while driving at freeway speeds (65-70MPH). I haven’t been able to test the PHEV on my daily commute to school 36 miles away. I'll post information regarding the performance and efficiency of the PHEV as soon as I head back to school in January. For Winter break city driving, I haven’t used a drop of gas according to my MFD!

Anyways, here are the photos! (Edit: mmm... odd.. Full screen photos aren't working right. I have them posted up in my gallery: http://kiet.us/gallery2/v/Stuff/2009Prius/PHEVConversion)

Hi if you don't mind telling. How much was it and how long do you expect the Lead Acid batteries to last.

kiettyyy,

Thanks for your posting. "There is more than one way to skin a cat."

Even though one of the PHEV conversions is a long way off, if ever, for most
of us here, it is good to be able to keep up on the different alternatives.
(Although you did not say it, I take it that you have the Lead Acid batteries.
When they require replacement, do you plan to upgrade?)

It is especially meaningful to have a second conversion, Plug-in Supply
represented, it kind of keeps the record balanced.

I know it will be difficult, but I hope you will post the little problems as well
as the successes so that we get a well rounded picture of this technology.

FWIW, for other readers, here is another thread on the Plug-In Supply
conversion:

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-p...ew-plug-in-hybrid-install-shop-in-so-cal.html

Is that the one with the battery tray that swings up to get to the spare tire below?

Nice install !! I really like the fact that they replaced your rear springs ..

It looks good. I know the satisfaction you are feeling now with having the ability to plug-in.
What are the specs on the lead-acid conversion?
Cost, kwh, range, etc.

Costs:
$6,512 with tax, shipping and installation.

I do plan to upgrade to LiFePo4 lithium based batteries some time when I have to replace the pack.

This battery pack uses 20 x B&B EB20-12 Batteries rated for 20AH. The batteries like to be charged at around 13.5V. The battery chassis does swivel upward for access to the spare tire.

I haven't been able to do much testing with it, as i'm only doing city trips during my winter break at home. During one city trip, I was able to get 20.3 miles before my pure EV dropped out(Which is darn impressive!). The numbers displayed on plug-in supply's site says I should get around 10-15MI on pure EV.

I mostly have flat roads where I live, not too many hills... which is proabbly why I got such a good number out of SLA batteries. I also took a long trip this weekend to San Diego where my MFD showed the motor and the engine running at the same time while my MPG was 99.9+ until about 87 miles out.

One really nice feature about the Plug-in Supply kit is that the regen braking fiunction still exists and charges up the additional battery pack as well!

I'll get more detailed as I get back on my daily commute to school in January.

One thing I have noted is that typical hypermiling techniques MUST be adjusted to get the best mileage out of the PHEV. On the freeway, instead of just seeing the engine running, you'd see the engine and the motor assisting each other for the 99.9+ MPG!

I'll post more info as I have more time with the PHEV.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Nice!

I like the way the Plug-in system retains access to the spare tire. Hymotion should do that too. Were the new rear coilovers included in the total price? If not, how much more for them?

Unfortunately, I need more range than is available w/the lead batteries, so I'm going to wait for the lithium upgrade before making a choice between Plug-in or Hymotion, but (all things being otherwise equal) Plug-in gets the nod from me based on the spare tire retention.

My only concern is the warranty and crash testing. As far as I know, the Hymotion system has been back through crashing testing and passed.

Also, if the Plug-In Supply system is doing regen on the new batteries, that is a significant alteration in the Hybrid Synergy system. Was the NiMH battery removed and the new lead-acid batteries replacing that system?
How did they make the regen go into the new batteries without affecting the balance of energy required in the NiMH system?

I admit to being a bit biased in favor of Hymotion's plug-in system because my experience is with that brand.

Where you P&G during your first 20.3 miles? If not try that it should make it last even father..

Who makes this PHEV?

I have seen this one and Hymotion's and I really like the looks of this one better not to mention the much better price, but I like the fact that Hymotion uses lithium based batteries..

Plug-In Supply Inc of Petaluma California

Just called Plug-in and was told the lithium battery kits should be available in January 2009.

Here are some related threads I've been watching:

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-hybrid-news/46978-plug-in-supply-6-095-plugin-kit-diy-4.html
http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-p...ew-plug-in-hybrid-install-shop-in-so-cal.html

Thankx Kiet for setting up a Post of the install the car looks GREAT.

Everyone else on PriusChat Hello my name is Arturo and performed the install on kiet's car and i am very happy it came out well for him. If their are any questions anyone would like to ask about an install feel free to pm me.

Yes, I did perform P&G during the first 20ish miles.

After using the SLA version of a PHEV, it's clear that this system has plenty of potential for growth. It's also a nice stepping stone into the PHEV world if you don't have the budget for a Hymotion/Lithium kit. As technology improves, costs for higher performing kits and parts should drop. Once my SLA batteries die off, they will be replaced with Lithium/LiFePo4 batteries.

I'll be performing additional tests later on this week!

Cheers!

Arturo the install looks great you guys done a great job..Cant wait for the lithium battery..Do you know if the lithium Batteries are still going to be 40Ah delivering 10Kwh?

Sandman the last info i have had on the LiFePO4 kit was a 20Ah 5Kwh kit that were Phoenix Silicon International batteries i saw that kit in development as a prodotype but i have also heared that they may have changed the kit to Thunder Sky LiFePO4 Batteries which maybe a 40Ah 10Kwh kit. As soon as the new year comes their will be more info if the kit is released as planned by Jan 09. I will also contact Plug In Supply for further info.

I am enjoying my Plug in Supply Conversion immensely. I have posted the photos and have a blog detailing the work done by Steve Woodruff of Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle PHEV My blog is Our New PHEV Prius! I will be looking forward to discussion regardng the Plug in supply kit and any suggestions you all have.

I know this is a little subjective but can you please tell us how the car feels now?
Does it handle the same or does having a big block of lead in the boot make it handle differently?
How is the performance? Does i have as much acceleration as before?
Does the rear of the car feel harder or softer with the additional weight?

Conversion looks fantastic and results better than I would have thought. I wonder where I can find this conversion in Adelaide? I wonder where I can park at work near a power point?

The car does handle differently.

While turning on a slope, you can feel that the CG is a bit offset from the typical Prius.

I have noticed that while accelerating onto the freeway, the car does act a bit sluggish(It may be due to the EV mode switching off to the default state)

Do you have the 52 mph switch as well? If so, do you use it?

Does the kit require loss of the spare tire compartment?

If not, how does the spare tire get accessed in the event it is needed? Is the battery pack hinged to permit access to the tire?