Camping in the Prius

It is taking quite a while, more little steps to this wiring job than first expected:

Underside of Battery Guard mount: Using a strong magnet (on top of the bolt) was very helpful to get the washers and nuts onto the bolts.


And from above, still in progress:

 

The motor controller:


A quick and dirty hack to help hide the USB cable powering the Android phone on the dash running Torque:
It can now enter the centre console through a little cut-out in the AUX plug housing.

Cables from motor controller and voltmeter now entering into the centre console throu newly drilled holes with grommets:



Motor controller and voltmeter in the centre console:



Voltmeter extended out of the console for easy viewing:



And the latest amendment of the schematic (main change is that I have added in a digital voltmeter):

 

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The above circuit sort of works, but there is an unexpected problem: The fan motor (or something in it's vicinity) beeps when it is powered by the new motor controller. Only at full bore (or completely off) does the beeping stop.

I guess it has something to do with the PWM frequency of the motor controller.

Any idea if it is bad for the fan motor to beep, and how to stop it? I reckon the sound is about 800Hz or so.

 

Original frequency is something close to 20khz. What’s the frequency of that controller? Noise shouldn’t really effect much. It’s probably caused by just caused by too low frequency PWM.

 

Thanks valde3.

If the noise is harmless, than it will be useful as a "surfboard saver" in hot conditions, but the beeping is too loud to sleep in the car.

I don't know the frequency of the controller, might have to put an oscilloscope on it to find out.

Maybe I'll try this kit instead (it says it has adjustable PWM frequency to reduce motor noise and even includes the low voltage protection):
12/24VDC 20A Motor Speed Controller Kit | Control & Automation | Electronic Project Kits | Kits, Science & Learning | PRODUCTS | KC5502 | Jaycar Electronics

I already have this kit lying around (unassembled), not sure if that would work: 10A 12VDC Motor Speed Controller Kit | Automotive | Electronic Project Kits | Kits, Science & Learning | PRODUCTS | KC5225 | Jaycar Electronics

 

It should be possible to use kit that you have by adjusting the frequency to 5khz by changing the value of timing resistor and/or capasitor. And then using that to control original fan control module in the car Prius camping

 

Thank you, Valde3!
I'll look into it again this weekend I hope.
Maybe the sound is something altogether different: I remembered that (when I initially had some cables connected incorrectly) I used a 12V Halogen lamp to test if the MC works at all. It did, and I also heard the sound. I thought it was coming from the Battery Guard, but maybe not.
I have had a read of the instructions for the MC kit I have, and while I understand very little of it in depth, it was educational. One misconception I had was that the flyback diode is only doing something when I turn the motor off. But really, the motor turns off thousands of times per second and the diode (and a capacitor which I understand even less than the flyback diode) should be close to the motor, rather than a metre down the cable where I installed it. I'm looking forward to suss it out when I have time.

 

2016 Travelers Camp Fest Padre Island Tx.I went camping with my gen 2 07 Prius but I over packed. IF you plan to go be careful not to over pack. I had a tow hitch with cargo rack on back. I used a 40 gallon tote for dirty clothes and anything else that could smell. I had an ice chest on the other side and that was great to have beverages. I tried to keep my TV dinners in there but the ice water got to them and I had to discard one. I did not bother to cook but I did heat my tv dinners with my Burton Pizza oven. The way I slept was I took out the 60 side of the seat in the rear removed the head rest of the passenger front seat got a 3/4 in slice of plywood cut it to fit where the elbow rest on passenger front and rear supported the board and the center counsel supported the center. I cut that board in half so I could slide some of the wood back so I could hear my speakers more. I then had a sleeping bag I filled with exercise mats I slept on top of that and was comfortable enough. Use the 4 oh shit handles on the roof to slide around once you get in the sleeping position. Great thing about this is you can control the AC heater radio from this position. You should keep something like an arrow or a cane to press the brake so you can start the engine without having to get out of bed. I would turn the car off pull the fob out press the locks to lock and alarm the car and place the fob into the hole then start the car if needed. I showered at planet fitness each day so I had hot showers. I would reset my gym bag with fresh clothes when I returned to the car so I would not make the mistake of going to get a shower and not have clean clothes. Do this and you should be golden. Once I got home I reset and took it all out the car I have the gear ready to go at a moments notice I ran the engine for climate control. I did have a mr buddy single burner heater but I did not use it for fear I could start a fire. Fuel is cheap right now so I just ran the engine and played it safe. Yes there was little damage from the wood but nothing broke I did not put the 60 seat back in since I rarely ever carry more than 3 people. At this stage my car is 9 years old and it shows but who cares it still gets me where I got to go. I had my car keyed for the first time on this trip SO WHAT as long as you don't affect the performance of the car a key only puts another scratch to match all the dents.

Ok got an answer I have been looking for and I can't seem to find the link but will post it asap. Basically the other prius owner bought a trailer from RUNAWAY CAMPERS and they got 20 mpg so it seems to me that is the norm. My cargo trailer got 20 mpg also with a gen 2 they have gen 3. With that said I will not be purchasing a runaway camper I will just modify the cargo trailer I own already. I am not a glamper I am a camper so no need to deal with a few thousand dollars out the account so I can look a little better. I must remember to go 55 when towing and check the oil every 50 miles. If I follow these simple rules I would trust my car towing my cargo trailer cross country.
OK here is the article or response that changed my mind about the buying of a camping trailer. Yes my trailer sucks wind but if they are getting 20mpg then I will not do any better than a 3rd gen prius . About the only thing I think that could help is a wing on the back of the trailer and making a wind sock or a tent to keep the air off the face of the trailer. It is what it is if you are going to tow you are going to experience drag that is all there is to it. As long as fuel is priced low then hotels are stupid but when fuel goes up you need to get the best mpg possible.

 

I run a forum for a certain brand of camping trailers, and yes, there is no way around wind resistance. It has a far greater affect on mpg than the weight of the trailer and nothing you do will change it. I've seen everything tried. Trucks and minivans that get 18-26 mpg during daily driving get half that when towing, even a lighter trailer. And with the Prii, the smallest changes affect the upper end of the mpg range so it doesn't take much to drop down into "average" territory. This will be more pronounced as cars regularly get into the 70-80-90 mpg area. Sneeze wrong and you'll lose 10 mpg.

 

The Prius is great for camping with 1 or 2 people, it holds an astounding amount of stuff (camping gear, fishing equipment, etc.). I have slept in mine, I just recline the front seat and adjust the headrest and pillow to a comfortable position. (To recline the front seat, the back seat has to be up.) There is enough room that you could make a proper bed in the back (with the back seat folded flat). The Prius has low clearance, but does well on dirt roads. Before buying a Prius I asked a park ranger friend who has one about its performance; she said she drives her Prius all over the National Park where she works with no problem, even off-road, as long as its reasonably flat and there's decent traction. You do have to navigate around areas where the car might bottom out, but most roads you drive on when camping are pretty well maintained.

 

No problemo--a couple of Thermarest pads and a king-size sheet is all it takes for two relatively short (5'7" and 5'4") people to sleep very comfortably in the back of an '04 Prius.

For nightime storage, and to keep it out of reach of bears, squirrels and other wildlife, all the food, drinks, equipment and camping gear for an overnighter fits in the front and rear footwells and on the front seats.

With all the windows open about four or five inches (and, admittedly, on a very temperate southern New Mexico summer night), no condensation builds up inside the car and you can hear the soothing sounds of crickets all night long. There's definitely no need to leave the ignition on to run the A/C. The situation might be different in areas plagued by mosquitoes and other biting/stinging nocturnal insects, but in the Chihuahuan Desert, those are not a threat.

Sadly, the length of the back area with rear seats folded in the latest gen Prius is about 3" shorter than the gen 2, so sleeping in the back becomes a little less comfortable.

 

I have 2012 prius V. Removed the rear seats to gain additional storage space under the flat form I build for sleeping . I use a 2 inch high density mattress. With the flat form built it easily fit 6'6 person.

 

I recently turned my 2014 Prius into my full time home. Here’s a video if anyone is interested.