PIS 10kw conversion or new PIP?

Very likely, as all of the conversion companies will see additional EV range as the "low hanging fruit" on the new PiP, it should be less complex, and work better, to add EV range to a system designed to operate as an EV.

Also, it's likely what little business they do have, is going to dry up, so they will be looking for additional opportunities for their products.

I know there are people also working on this for the Nissan Leaf as well, and it could make even more sense on the PiP.. Of courses the additional weight has to be factored in, as well the rear springs might need to be beefed up as well.

 

The guys(s) from Enginer were on here a few months ago looking for adventurous PiP owners to test out a range extender pack. I havent heard anything about it since though.

Here's the original post:

http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-prius-plug-in/104338-enginer-range-extender-pip.html

 

I still wouldn't consider buying an 08 + aftermarket conversion route over a PiP for the same price.

Have you driven a regular 2nd gen, 3rd gen and a PiP? I have. I can't speak to the conversion you refer to but the ICE (intentionally) fires up w/not very hard acceleration on unmodified 2nd and 3rd gens. Also, on 2nd gen, at >~41 mph, the ICE must spin. On 3rd gen it's 46 mph.

On the PiP, you can drive in electric only up to 62 mph and it's calibrated to not fire up the ICE unless you accelerate MUCH harder. See http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-...mph-electric-vehicle-acceleration-videos.html. The ICE has turned on when the EV car icon on the right side goes out. There's NO way you can accelerate that hard in EV only on an unmodded Gen 2 or 3. Certain plug-in kits like Enginer do nothing to change that threshold. I don't think Hymotion could either (and it's Gen 2 only).

 

Neither the Volt or Prius is an SUV, but both are PHEV which I think is important for long trips. Both can haul some pretty big things with seats folded down.

Biggest things I've hauled in the Volt were boxes of foam core, which measured 36x40"x60" foam core plus bunch of equipment for the conference. Its easy to get the back totally flat. Still We use the subaru for dirty things like lumber and rocks but I know many of them would fit but I don't want risk my nice new Volt. I would be more willing to carry junk in a old prius




Good thread on hauling stuff in volt at
Hauling stuff in the Volt

and

At the Lumberyard

 

the range extender for the PiP has got to fit in the storage hole between the PHV batteries and the bumper. if it's designed well. it could fit 4 KW there.

 

I approached Enginer with an email directed to Jack the "owner" and after a few days received a replay by one of their helpers.
Upon some chinglish translations I understood that the company will provide a slim monetary discount on the purchase providing that I will supply a months worth of data, installation progress photos and "free advertising on the forums".
That offer it's NOT up to par being that I will risk my NEW vehicle for experimenting and more likely to F**k-it up with their components.
Sorry, I can not be their guinea pig at that cost.......but things could change if the company would change their position and donate their equipment for their own technical benefit.

 

Personally, I wouldn't shell out big bucks like that for an upgrade like that unless I had a lot of money to burn or I was a serious hobbyist.

I took some risk in buying my PiP, because it's new, etc, but the car's fully supported by Toyota, the battery warranted to 150,000 miles, etc.

 

I'm no fan of aftermarket kits and am confused as to why you are so set on getting one. Please see my post at http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-p...4971-hymotion-issues-enginer.html#post1342017 and the links there about Enginer.

I don't think the Enginer kit can do anything about the EV speed limit nor do anything to adjust how easily the ICE turns on in response to the accelerator pedal.

cproaudio used to have an Enginer kit but doesn't any more. I don't know the details.

It seems Hymotion (doesn't work on Gen 3) was the most reliable but even TheForce had the problem at http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-p...-battery-dead-rip-almost-3-years-service.html. Now per Hymotion :: Enabling the new generation of hybrid owners to maximize their fuel efficiency, they've gotten out of that business.

I don't know your background (for all I know, you're an accomplished EE) but frankly, from the questions you're asking, I don't think something as (apparently to me) hacky as Enginer is for you. You really should drive a regular Gen 3 then try a charged PiP.

BTW, Priuses that weren't sold as PiPs aren't EVs and weren't designed as such. You're likely going to run into quirks like the ICE wanting to start up once it gets too cold (from not running). People have devised stuff like http://priuschat.com/forums/private-sales/60906-coolant-temp-hack-better-mpgs.html, http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...-automatic-coolant-temp-hack-better-mpgs.html and http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...s/76906-yet-another-thermistor-hack-gen3.html.

 

What I posted in the C forum works here too!

"The Engineer kits don't really turn the Prius into an EV, they keep the traction battery charged so the ICE doesn't have to work to charge it, and allows you to run on battery only longer but under the same limitations (speed, temp, etc). Too pricey currently for what they do, plus I get nervous with anything that comes with a fire extinguisher!"

 

Much of what cwerdna said I would agree with. I would not consider an enginer kit, now Hymotion is out, and the one that sounded promising (PIS) is sounding a bit questionable. The one possibility that hasn't been discussed is the bms+ system, which mrbigh uses, and some others too, with satisfactory results. The benefit to bms+ is it can be installed in stages. I have no first hand experience with the kit though.

But, instead of trying to work around the limitations of any Prius, why not consider all electric and go with a Leaf. I think, after all the tax credits and Toyota dealer "market adjustments" you would be at the same price or even less. I am certain if you went with a Leaf SV model you'd end up paying less. You might have to lease first, then pay the lease off, but it can be done. You might even find a 2011 demo and come out far ahead.

In the initial post it stated that some days were 50 - 70 miles of highway driving. The Leaf should be able to do that, especially if there is the opportunity to recharge a bit during the day. If it is 50 - 70 miles each way, that would be difficult, but possible if there is access to a 240v EVSE.

 

from the "Plugin-Supply" web site:

Max Electric Speed72 MPH
Plug-In Supply | Plug-In Conversions for Prius and Escape

I've gotten very good feedback about those folks and am considering their product for our Lexus SUV hybrid.

 

That's clear. Then it just that the OP said boulder hybrid conversions.. which mus not be using the PIS units as the BHC page says 52mph.
Curious what the impact on reliability will be at 72mph. but that is faster than the Pip so maybe be interesting for the OP if they have highway stuff to do as well.

 

Be careful w/demo models if buying. You'd want to make sure it's not being sold as a used car, which wouldn't end up qualifying for any tax credits ($7500 Federal tax credit and any state incentives/rebates). I don't know all the details, but consult the folks at Nissan Leaf Forum - Online forum for the Nissan Leaf Electric Car.

From http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=101293, 50-70 miles of highway driving should be doable in a fully charged Leaf if the OP does the stated 50-55 mph. Be careful about hills though. http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-h...elevation-profile-route-between-2-points.html can help.

Seriously though, if money is tight the OP is concerned about all the extra costs of buying a new car, esp. a PiP (since it's quite pricey), the OP ought to just look into a '12 Prius liftback (aka regular Prius) lightly equipped like the model Two or Three or a used '11 or '10. A used 08 or 09 is a possibility but the 3rd gen is overall a superior car.