Wondering on how many 8KWh 2010 Prius??

Hello all,

My Enginer 8KWh system has been running for about 2 months now, after a long period without since I was out of the country for a while. I pulled the system out to prevent the system from sitting in the car without moving for the two month period I was gone and to let my family use my car once in a while. I have about 150 cycles on the batteries now since I owned the system in November 2009. After some problems with balance, I have been on the bottom balance practice for about 9 months now without having to rebalance the system. I am averaging about 80mpg with one converter and about 100mpg with 2 converters. Unfortunately the summer heat has killed one of my converters and I am waiting for the next batch of new 5000W converters to trade up to using just one converter in my car. The 2010 prius seems to be able to handle some 24 amps no problems.

I am just wondering how many others have installed an 8KWh system in there 2010 Prius?? Also any suggestion about upgrade springs for the rear??

Thanks,

Chan

 

Dan,

Thanks for the tip. Nice to know that the no balancer approach is still valid. I will consider that whne I get the 5000W converter. The main reason I wan to move to the 5000W converter is mostly due to the heat and space issue of using two 3000W converters. It seems like so much energy is wasted thru heat with using two 3000W converters. The gain of maybe 6 -8 amps may not be worth it. I rather a 18A converter that does so with less energy wasted as heat...

 

I have attached a picture of the tire well when I was mocking up how to strap the batteries down. I have not changed the configuration of the cells currently just the strap and mounts.

Also attached a side view of the car with all 8KWh of batteries. Hope this helps.

 

seilerts,

Where did you get the coil spacers and if you could can you shot me a picture of the spacers installed??

Thanks,

Chan

 

Thanks so much. I order the firestone spring helpers to give it a shot. for $80. It is not bad at all. Will let everyone know how this goes.

 

seilerts,

Much appreciate the tip for the Firestone Coil Helpers. I had them installed in my 2010 Prius and now the car is back to about -0.25 inches of stock ride height with the 8kWh of batteries in the trunk. I hope springs will be an option soon for us but this will do for now and for about $90 parts and $25 labor I am more than satisfied. I have attached some images of the air bladders installed and a before and after picture. I only have about 25psi in the bladders right now and am comfortable there as the recommended max is 30psi. Now my suspension does not bottom out over speed bumps and my headlights don't blind on coming drivers anymore.

Thanks,

Chan

 

There are spring upgrades for the 2nd gen Prius. I know 3prong and maybe Lusious Garage may carry them. Do a search in the forums, I have seen a thread and link to where to purchase. The springs I am look for will probably be made custom. I have a few friends with connections due to them needing springs for there EV conversion. Will keep everyone updated when I get them but I can tell everyone now it will be at least $600 for the rear springs alone. Only problem is I have to send in a pair of stock springs for the engineers to analyze.

 

Yup the car was up on a lift when I took the pictures of the air bladders. I have been using the 8kWh kit for quite a while now. Before the heat killed my second converter I was getting really good mileage, around 95 ~ 100mpg daily. Now I am stuck at 87mpg with only one 3000W converter. I just received my 5000W converter from Jack and will install that soon but right now my charger has a blown fuse so until I replace the fuse I have no PHEV.

I do have heat issues with my converters. If it is a really hot day like around 95F+ here in Los Angeles, the converters will come in and out as it overheats and cools down. I am hoping the 5000W converter will be more stable.