1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Prius 100 VAC option (at last!)

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by bwilson4web, Nov 4, 2012.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,394
    15,518
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Source: Toyota Prius' New Function Supplies Electricity to Home Appliances -- Tech-On!

    When can we get this with North American voltage and frequency?

    My first Prius mod added a 1.0/1.2 kW inverter and we have used it at least once each year including four days and six hours during the Alabama tornado disaster. Now that the 3/36000 warranty is over, I'm working on a 1.5/3.0 kW inverter for my wife's ZVW30.

    The Toyota version seems a little high, $800, but if we consider a 2x multiplier by the suppler, a real world cost of $400 seems reasonable. We don't know enough about the Toyota unit but it looks like there is no space loss. It should also be well integrated into the car instead of my 'reverse engineering.'

    Bob Wilson
     
    #1 bwilson4web, Nov 4, 2012
    walter Lee and DadofHedgehog like this.
  2. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2011
    6,978
    3,213
    1
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    #2 El Dobro, Nov 4, 2012
  3. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,394
    15,518
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Thanks but the article suggests the PIP version is different from the standard Prius. Normally, I don't follow the PIP threads so this might catch a few more eyes. Regardless, the Japanese news article briefly covers each . . . as newly released options in Japan.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #3 bwilson4web, Nov 4, 2012
  4. walter Lee

    walter Lee Hypermiling Padawan

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2009
    1,126
    376
    5
    Location:
    Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Ouch, I agree $800 is a bit high ( I was hoping it was a $300 to $600 option). Given the recent natural disaster in Japan - I think it is long overdue that Japan have vehicles that double as a emergency generators - but I'm glad Toyota is doing this. I think the most important part of having Toyota design it is to make sure there is adequate circuit overload protection and that the AC current is clean enough for sensitive digital equipment. An emergency generator option on a Prius is going to make it the the Swiss Army knife of hybrids. Every boy scout type is going to have to get one! RFLOL.
     
    #4 walter Lee, Nov 4, 2012
  5. John H

    John H Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2012
    2,208
    558
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    #5 John H, Nov 4, 2012
  6. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,394
    15,518
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    This may be the solution for some folks but there are other issues:
    • noise - the Prius is all but silent due to a better exhaust system.
    • carbon monoxide - a fatal gas, people die from these generators but the Prius catalytic converter reduces this by a factor of 100.
    • refuel often - typically 4 hours run time on a single tank, the Prius runs typically 40 hours on a single tank at maximum load. However, at our usage, two gallons per day, were looking at more than five days without refueling.
    • efficient - two gallons per day for our 1 kW inverter works for us.
    • home doesn't need power 24 x 7 - during an outage, the generator has to be refueled, about ten times more frequently than a prius.
    • inverter power when traveling - going to the grocery store, other AC loads can be run in the car. A generator can not be used in a Prius while on a cross-country trip.
    Having a generator is better than 'cursing the darkness.' Having a Prius UPS meets our needs with 1 kW but if the power outage when going for groceries is a problem, get a second Prius (any excuse in a storm.)

    Bob Wilson
     
    #6 bwilson4web, Nov 4, 2012
    walter Lee and a priori like this.
  7. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2007
    3,355
    300
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Many households have two cars. If one is a Prius that is tied up as an emergency generator, the other can be used for other needs (provided fuel is available).

    Also, a 1000W inverter is cheaper than a generator and still can get you through an extended emergency, as some folks have demonstrated with their Prius during Sandy.
     
    #7 zenMachine, Nov 5, 2012
  8. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2009
    13,574
    4,114
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX, USA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    I think the objection was to the $800 Toyota solution, versus much less expensive dedicated generator.

    One problem with a dedicated generator that you use infrequently is stale gas or diesel. You would think Toyota could come up with an inexpensive 1KW or 1.5KW solution though. Many would buy it just to plug electronics in during camping trips if the price was low enough.
     
    #8 austingreen, Nov 5, 2012
    John Hatchett likes this.
  9. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    If the output is enough to run the sump pump in the basement then this needs to be in my next Prius.
     
    #9 JimN, Nov 5, 2012
  10. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2011
    6,978
    3,213
    1
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I used a 1500w inverter to run one sump pump at a time.
     
    #10 El Dobro, Nov 5, 2012
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)