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Apex I throttle controller

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by Super Mario, Aug 14, 2014.

  1. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    So you are saying that the device is useless and that there isn't a delay that many people have noticed and mentioned? I'm just trying to get this cleared up.

    When I fully press down on the accelerator there is an almost full second delay until the car starts moving. I've gotten it timed pretty well to step on the gas early in order to fit in gaps, but this is inconvenient.
    According to Garm, once you install the throttle controller (I'm not sure if it was the Apex-i) this delay disappears completely and the car actually moves when you give it full throttle.
     
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  2. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Ztanos,
    I'm saying that the device changes the mapping. The table below is a contrived example to show what mapping means:

    %_throttle_depression ---- Normal_map_response ---- Power_map_response ---- Apexi_respone
    10 ---------------------------10 ---------------------------- 30 ---------------------------50
    30 ---------------------------30 --------------------------- 60 --------------------------- 100
    100 --------------------------100 ------------------------- 100 --------------------------- 100

    However long it takes you to stomp the pedal to the floor is the maximum possible additional delay you will see in the native configuration compared to Apexi installed. In practice the delay will be less because the Apexi mapping cannot be 0 or 100.

    The reason people who have the 'power' button say that the car is more responsive is based on partial fuel pedal depression. In regular mode 50% depression gives 50% maximum power while in 'power' mode 50% depression gives 100% maximum power. So they rightly say "I push down half-way and the car takes off!" They don't realize that pushing the pedal to the floor gives the exact same response with or without the remapping -- the same maximum power output the car is capable of.

    So the Apexi does not offer something the native car cannot do, but rest assured fuel economy takes a hit because of the jerky throttle response.
     
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    ztanos, it's pointless arguing with people who refuse to believe something exists. I can definitely say the throttle lag is present on my Camry (non-hybrid). It's there on the Prius, but not as bad IMO, which may be why someone could write it off as the time it takes for the ICE to take over, etc.

    To the doubters, why then, are there so many hits when a Google search for "Toyota throttle lag" is done? Google
     
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  4. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    The prius C doesn't have a power button! I'm sure Garm knows the difference between having a delay on a car and not having a delay on a car. It's pretty evident that the C has a delay.
     
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  5. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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  6. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    Then what are you saying? There is no lag? I'm confused.
     
  7. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I believe he's saying, "I know (there is no power button on the c)".
     
  8. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    I get that, but then wouldn't that make his entire previous statement invalid? It has everything to do with there being a power button and the c doesn't have it.
     
  9. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    My Camry doesn't have any modes lol, just normal mode, and the throttle lag is scary long. That's what happens when a manufacturer gets bit by sudden unintended acceleration lawsuits (most likely caused by operator pedal misapplication), they program in crazy, annoying, and unsafe lag into the throttle by wire software. :rolleyes: :mad:
     
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  10. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Last post for me on the subject -- I'll try one more stab at explanation.

    I included the 'power_button' in the table to show another example of pedal mapping. I know it does not exist in the Prius 'c'
    My Prius 'vagon' has the power button. I don't bother with it for the same reason I think the Apexi is a waste of money in the 'c': in either car you can just stomp your fuel pedal to the floor in 'normal' mode for the fastest off the line response the car is capable of.

    Again: From the moment the fuel pedal is completely depressed, the car acts the same regardless of the power mapping mode chosen. It will respond to a 100% of maximum power driver request.
     
    #30 SageBrush, Aug 15, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2014
  11. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    We're not disputing that, what you don't seem to be getting is that there is an actual lag time between depressing the go pedal and when acceleration actually takes place. We're not talking a split second either. It's at least one second, maybe even two.

    SCH-I535
     
  12. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    There is a lag until the ICE starts combusting. The traction battery starts to move the car and spins the ICE prior to combustion to avoid early engine wear from all the on/off cycles. That is not the same thing as delayed acceleration.

    Find 0-30 mph times for Toyota hybrids Vs conventional cars.
    Or even better, log and graph in Torque speed, time, RPM, throttle_position for different throttle maps.

    Addendum: I looked up 0-30 mph times for a couple of cars --
    Prius 2011: 3.5 seconds
    Honda Civic 2014: 3.9 seconds
    Honda Civic 2011 Hybrid: 4.0 seconds
    Camry Hybrid 2012: 2.6 seconds
    Prius 'c': 3.5 seconds
    Toyota Corolla 'S' 2014: 3.6 seconds

    The hybrid times are with a charged traction battery. Throttle mapping is never mentioned BECAUSE IT DOES NOT MATTER.
    Moreover, if you were right that the car sat for 1 -2 seconds before taking off, it would mean the the Prius 0-30 times from movement are 1.5 - 2.5 seconds from 0 to 30. Even you must realize that is not happening LOL

    Kapisch ? If not, then I think you are the perfect customer for the Apexi
     
    #32 SageBrush, Aug 16, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2014
  13. Super Mario

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    That's the thing the traction battery doesn't move the car, I can understand if the traction battery moved the car and then the power from the engine kicked in but the car doesn't respond to anything. I even nailed it and the delay is still there. Sometimes 1 second and even 2 seconds and that to me is extremely dangerous. I can understand if the traction batt moved the car even if it was slow it would be something but there is no movement at all, a total delay and I'm surprised there have not been any major accidents reported because of it. I try to time. It now but it would be good to have no delay at all. Maybe some of you aren't getting it and some of us are. But it is scary and I'm a professional driver, I have raced for over 20 years and drove many cars and this is the worse thing I ever experienced. Other than that I love the car. I have to say though that when I first start the car in the morning it doesn't have that delay. Oh and one more thing, even when the ICE is running there is still a lag so it's not a lag from the traction batt starting up the ICE. Just the weirdest thing and if a throttle controller solves that then I am getting it. It must work or else they would be out of business a long time ago and nobody would be selling them, that's how I see it. When I get one I will report how it works and if there is any difference. If it doesn't work then oh well big deal, I would have spent the money on something stupid anyway, lol
     
  14. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    That's the spirit !
     
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  15. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    And the majority of these vehicles aren't hybrids, no traction battery, no switching between electric propulsion/combustion engine.

    There was no response to my inquiry, just a lot of bluster about throttle mapping and traction batteries. :rolleyes:
     
  16. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    I'm not sure how it magically decreases the reaction time of a system that shouldn't theoretically be possible of having this done, but Garm has confirmed that it does happen. Garm won't just say something to get a sale, he has mentioned flaws in products on multiple occasions.
     
  17. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    The apexi changes the mapping. Period. Nothing else.
    Proof is by way of o-30 times which are always done by the driver stomping the fuel pedal to the floor. Mapping differences barely changes the results.
     
  18. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    0-30 starts when the car starts moving, not when the driver presses the pedal, so it's not going to be an absolute indicator of pedal lag.
     
  19. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    ready, set,go !
     
  20. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    So you've personally done this with a Prius C and can verify that it doesn't do anything? If so, then I guess we are at a crossroads, because I do trust your experiences on PriusChat, but I, also, trust Garms experiences on PriusChat. I don't know if you've done it in a Prius C with the throttle controller, but I do know that Garm has done it... so where do we stand?