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Some insider notes on the 2017 Prius Prime

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Danny, Mar 23, 2016.

  1. ttait

    ttait Active Member

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    What part of 'MY seat is very comfortable' didn't you understand? :LOL:
     
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  2. CTorPrius?

    CTorPrius? Member

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    Don't tell her, or let her drive. Do either with caution.
     
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  3. Edward.Howard

    Edward.Howard Junior Member

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    The US roadblock has to do with meeting very stringent Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations. Toyota hasn’t been able at this point (November 2016) to laminate the photovoltaic cells in a resin that won’t shatter during a rollover crash, however, the roof panels do meet safety standards in Japan & Europe.
     
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  4. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Gen 3 was available with a solar charging moon roof option. What happened since then?
     
  5. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    link? Fiskar Karma had almost their whole roof done in solar - & came out amout ½ decade ago ....
    Toyota said it added too much to the cost
    .
     
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Could be different manufacturer, different manufacture process, different materials, perhaps it's the fact it's a full length solar roof vs. a half length + regular moonroof, could be the shape of the roof, could be the different weight of the car (Gen 3 vs. Prime)
     
  7. Terrell

    Terrell Old-Timer

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    See below to see how easy it is to add a 1KW inverter to the Prius.
     
  8. jmgrant

    jmgrant Junior Member

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    Any reason something similar (to the 1KW inverter) couldn't be done on a Prime? I've been using an inverter on my '07 Prius when I go camping and on telescope outings to power my electronics. I'm thinking of upgrading to the Prime and I'd like to keep the option.

    I wish Toyota would offer a ~500-1000W AC output option from the factory. Personally I'd take something like that over the (kind of gimmicky, IMHO) solar panel option any day.
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no reason at all, the operations are the same. pm bob wilson, he may be doing the same with his prime, he had it on his 2010.
     
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Like this?

    Toyota AC Outlet Supply Accessory (Not charging cable) | PriusChat
     
  11. DavidA

    DavidA Prius owner since July 2009

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    That outlet accessory ^ is limited to 100 volt - the voltage of Japan. In theory, the 1000 watt converter project could be done in a Prime, but the 12-volt battery to attach it all to is now up front instead of inside the rear hatch. That makes it a bit more complicated, wouldn't it? (unless there's a 12v battery direct bus to wire to that is also somewhere accessible in the back of the car)?
     
    #331 DavidA, Mar 16, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2017
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Which is fine for camping as long as you're not plugging in a hair dryer or a kettle.
     
  13. DavidA

    DavidA Prius owner since July 2009

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    Yet, isn't that Prime plug thingy some ridiculous price?

    EDIT:
    Tea kettle needs or not, that's some wacky pricing for a limited use item. If the dealer sold it, they'd probably add $1,200 or more.
     
    #333 DavidA, Mar 16, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2017
  14. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Depends on how accessible everything is. If we are lucky enough to simply thread electrician fishing tape along the main power cable, or other conduit, running a cable from the 12 volt to back won't be too much harder. A stereo installation place could likely find the easiest way.
     
  15. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    You can buy a 750 Watt inverter from Harbor Freight for $39.00. It clips to the Prius 12V battery and runs, runs, runs...
     
  16. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    Be aware that that inverter is a "modified sine" inverter, meaning it produces basically square waves instead of sinusoidal waveforms. That means power quality is low and some things will run hot and others will not run at all on such an inverter.

    For this reason, I have a 2000W modified sine inverter for heavy loads like refrigerators and a 300W pure-sine inverter for more sensitive loads like CFL and LED lights and electronics.

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Jeff Cohen

    Jeff Cohen Junior Member

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    I tried (see above) to reply to the Ford/ Toyota thread but not really sure how to do so. For me it is not just about the manufacturer but the local dealers. What is available and what the local dealers are known for. A great car sold by a shop I would never want to do business with is nothing. I have had very positive experiences with a Toyota dealer and awful ones with the local Ford dealer. That is why I am a Toyota buyer, why I have made repeated purchases there and will continue to do so. All vehicles have failings and drawbacks and so do dealerships. Go to one that works for you and buy what works best to fulfill your needs. The Prime has not really been available in Dallas as yet so getting acquainted with one before buying could mean a 2018 model. We have had good experiences with Prii and will continue to buy them in one form or another.
     
    #337 Jeff Cohen, May 3, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: May 4, 2017
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  18. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Fair enough, there is a Toyota dealer here I won't step foot into because they required a credit check before telling to price of a used car. Perhaps I am lucky in having multiple dealers for each brand to pick through here.
     
  19. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    They easily met fed standards on the Gen1 Fisker karma in the U.S. too - which although gimmick-ie (even though it had the highest output of any roof top solar), the juice provided was paltry.
    .
     
  20. JerryCS

    JerryCS Prius camper with trailer hitch

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    Exactly, no fifth seat and no continuous cargo area with the seats down is a deal breaker for me.
     
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