Adding more Prius batteries

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by wwiggins, Apr 14, 2012.

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  1. wwiggins

    wwiggins Junior Member

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    I saw on YouTube a lady who had two or three prius batteries from salvage that she put together to extend her EV range. Where do I search to learn how to do this?

    Wade
     
    #1 wwiggins, Apr 14, 2012
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Um, apparently Youtube. (we might have been able to give more help had you linked the Youtube clip)
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Apr 14, 2012
  3. wwiggins

    wwiggins Junior Member

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    It wont let me without posting 5 times

    Its entitled nikki drives prius on youtube search.

    Wade
     
    #3 wwiggins, Apr 14, 2012
  4. ukr2

    ukr2 Senior Member

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    Here is the link -
     
    #4 ukr2, Apr 14, 2012
  5. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    I believe this is the same person that blew up her packs in a charging thermal runaway incident. The car was written off by her insurance.

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...lectric-vehicle-mod-under-way-bristol-uk.html

    There are a few people out there that have been able to make such a setup work, but it takes VERY close attention to detail with multiple failsafes. If you are going to go to such trouble, use lithium.
     
    #5 seilerts, Apr 14, 2012
  6. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Yep she blew her Prius up and has now moved onto a Leaf. What she doesn't know about EV's isn't worth knowing. I believe she's also a journo for various EV related websites and publications too - international and UK based.
     
    #6 GrumpyCabbie, Apr 14, 2012
  7. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    For those who care, the incident is buried in the above thread but can be found here:

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...e-mod-under-way-bristol-uk-32.html#post885615
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...e-mod-under-way-bristol-uk-33.html#post887261
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...e-mod-under-way-bristol-uk-33.html#post889411

    It makes one respect the amount of engineering for safety that Toyota must've done (into the hardware and software of stock, unmodified hybrids), which clearly seems successful.
     
    #7 cwerdna, Apr 14, 2012
  8. wwiggins

    wwiggins Junior Member

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    Ok, so who has done this successfully? And has others who replicate it successfully? With the pip out it looks like someone would reverse engineer it as a retro fit for non plug in hybrid prius.

    Wade
     
    #8 wwiggins, Apr 14, 2012
  9. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    I don't know of anyone who has done multiple NiMH packs in a III. There are a few, mrbigh and nwpriusplus, that have done it in a II. Aftermarket kits are available: Enginer.us, PluginSupply.com.

    To put it gently, if you have to ask if it is possible to add NiMH packs to make your III into a DIY PHEV, you are at least a year away from having a safely working system.
     
    #9 seilerts, Apr 14, 2012
  10. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    you have a 2012 car... they sell a plug in version for a reason... it would possibly end up costing you more to make a plug in than to just buy it from toyota...
     
    #10 V8Cobrakid, Apr 14, 2012
  11. Braddles.au

    Braddles.au DEFAnitely using an EBH

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    Hi Wade
    The Australian company NilCO2 has several packs that can be fitted as a supplement to the existing standard hybrid battery. Convert Your Hybrid into a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle have had displays at the Canberra EV festival for at least the past 2 years.
    They have a K40 pack that can be installed and removed without upsetting the car or diagnostics and gives 40km (25 miles) of range. These can only be charged from the mains and can't be charged by the Prius. (c.f. 24km ~ 14 miles with the PiP)
    Their bigger packs like the K140 replace the 1.2kW HV battery with a 14kW battery, plus changes to Prius computer messaging and uprated rear suspension struts.
    Quoting from an email I got from NilCO2, "K140 pack users are recording <0.6 litres/100km at average speeds of >75kph including highway peaks of >100kph. Urban use has clocked prolonged (>80km from a single charge) primarily EV mode consumption down to 0.3 litres/100K."
    NilCO2 also do solar roofs (for non-sunroof models) but don't expect to never plug in again.
    Australia doesn't quite have the Magnussen-Moss provisions, so car manufacturers can blame everything on the unauthorised bumper sticker you fitted instead of acknowledging fault. However, I understand that the K40 kit (which doesn't replace the HV battery) has never caused issues with Toyota Australia.
     
    #11 Braddles.au, Apr 14, 2012
  12. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Why buy a brand new 2012 $$$ car when you can get a used Gen II and convert it using kits which have proven themselves? Using a 2012 PiP for this would be nuts right now IMO.
     
    #12 Paradox, Apr 14, 2012
  13. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Now that's interesting. Will give it some serious reading.
     
    #13 GrumpyCabbie, Apr 14, 2012
  14. wwiggins

    wwiggins Junior Member

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    The pip is not in KY yet. Wont be until 2013.

    So I can't just go and buy one.

    Wade
     
    #14 wwiggins, Apr 14, 2012
  15. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I'd imagine you could probably get one from an out of state dealer.
     
    #15 cwerdna, Apr 14, 2012
  16. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    You CAN go and buy one, you are just going to have to go farther than Kentucky.

    Should still be cheaper and more reliable than making your own.

    (if you follow Paradox's advice, I will sacrifice and trade my 2009 for a 2012 straight across)
     
    #16 JimboPalmer, Apr 14, 2012
  17. wwiggins

    wwiggins Junior Member

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    I was under the impression demand was out pacing supply, and these cars were being ordered, not just sitting around on blots for any length of time. Also there are no states adjacent to mine selling them. It would be a long ride to discuss buying a car.

    If i did purchase it way out of state would my local dealer have any reservations about servicing it under warantee?

    What is the closest pip lot to me?

    Im in western KY next to Evansville Ind.

    Wade
     
    #17 wwiggins, Apr 14, 2012
  18. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #18 JimboPalmer, Apr 15, 2012
  19. solarPiP

    solarPiP Junior Member

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    just for your consideration:
    I'm in dallas, tx and had mine shipped about 1k miles from Tuscon, Az.

    Az won't be getting anymore, btw.
    they financed in the shipping charge, $1200, with the car purchase.
    not terrible.
     
    #19 solarPiP, Apr 15, 2012
  20. lopezjm2001

    lopezjm2001 Senior Member

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    The K40 pack is a 4kwh Enginer kit. You can buy these on EBay and have it delivered to Australia and install it yourself if you like DIY stuff. Nilco2 is an authorized dealer and installer of Enginer kits.

    Enginer | Solar Powered Prius Plug-in PHEV Conversion Kit with Lithium-Ion | Hybrid

    Enginer PHEV | eBay

    Nilco2 told me that the K140 pack is home grown technology. Most PHEV kits in the USA if not all of them do not replace the OEM HV battery.
     
    #20 lopezjm2001, May 19, 2012
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