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Winter is coming... Modifications and questions...

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Nougatti, Oct 13, 2016.

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  1. Nougatti

    Nougatti Member

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    I just did a thing!

    We all know winter sucks, and having a PiP you wanna NOT turn on that gasoline engine to defrost the windshield. I haven't invested in a cabin heater to compliment my block heater yet, so I use a car cover.

    However, the car is often parked at not-my-house, so the cover needs to be carried along when I get in and drive it. This presents a problem since it's covered in frost and thawing it inside the car will transport moisture inside which will freeze the INSIDE of the windows, so here is my genious - if not slightly more power consuming - solution:


    I fixed fastening straps to the rear roof bar with screws, and can simply roll the cover into a neat little roll from both ends and strap it tight with the straps. It's got more air resistance, but my daily driving isn't fast or at the edge of my EV range anyway.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    #1 Nougatti, Oct 13, 2016
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  2. Nougatti

    Nougatti Member

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    Question: If I were to invest in an electric wall-powered cabin heater from DEFA to compliment my previously installed block heater, I have the option to add a trickle charger into the mix, which I've heard might be a good idea on these cars during winter times.

    Does this charger have to be connected to the physical battery in the back, or can I connect it to the "battery ports" at the front used for jump starts? The latter would be so much easier since the plug where the power comes in, sits in the front bumper.
     
    #2 Nougatti, Oct 13, 2016
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the front jump point will be fine, but connecting it daily at the fuse box might be a pain.
     
    #3 bisco, Oct 13, 2016
  4. Nougatti

    Nougatti Member

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    If I use a DEFA system, it will just be connected in parallel to the heater anyway and stay permanently connected. The whole system has an in-plug in the front bumper. Why the PiP doesn't trickle the 12V while charging is beyond me.
    [​IMG]

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #4 Nougatti, Oct 19, 2016
  5. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Nice drag chute you got there.... Beware unintended deployment.
     
    #5 Air_Boss, Oct 19, 2016
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it does trickle the 12v while being charged.
     
    #6 bisco, Oct 19, 2016
  7. Nougatti

    Nougatti Member

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    Oh! Then that solves that :)
     
    #7 Nougatti, Oct 21, 2016
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  8. Nougatti

    Nougatti Member

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    Haha, I had the same solution on my old Corolla back in the day :) Worked a treat!
    Never drove faster than 80 km/h with it on though. And will never drive long haul with it on the Prius either.
     
    #8 Nougatti, Oct 21, 2016
  9. Nougatti

    Nougatti Member

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    Update: It's getting ever colder, but now I've started using our newly installed (last week) DEFA cabin heater. No more icy windshield :D

    Also, this might seem crazy, but the projected EV range at the beginning of each trip is rising now that the interior is warm while charging. I definitely think the cabin heater increases the charged capacity of the battery pack!
     
    #9 Nougatti, Dec 2, 2016
  10. Pluggo

    Pluggo Senior Member

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    Yes, but I think you will find that the trickle charge stops once the hybrid battery charge is complete.
     
    #10 Pluggo, Dec 2, 2016
  11. Pluggo

    Pluggo Senior Member

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    Speaking of cabin heaters, I tried this little 170w/250w “personal” ceramic heater from Home Depot. Very gentle heat and equipped with a tip-over switch, but it only raised the interior temperature about 10 degrees F after an hour and a half. That could be enough to help many people keep a clear windshield and reduce interior humidity.
    heater.jpg
     
    #11 Pluggo, Dec 2, 2016
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that might work well on the dash if it will stay upright. does it plug into the 12v socket?
     
    #12 bisco, Dec 2, 2016
  13. Nougatti

    Nougatti Member

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    You guys gotta use mains powered heaters... 12V doesn't do shit :p

    My cabin heater is 1900 W btw :p

    It and the block heater connect to the mains via a socket in the front bumper. Image1480704929.919397.jpg

    The interior stays warm at least till the EV range runs out.
     
    #13 Nougatti, Dec 2, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2016
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  14. Pluggo

    Pluggo Senior Member

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    Works off house current and, yes, it does stand nicely on the dash. I didn't want to mention that because I was afraid someone might have a hissy fit and claim it will crack the windshield. I really don't think it gets that hot and the fan helps prevent heat concentration. Picture a 170w light-bulb a foot away from the glass. Funny thing, the warning sticker is exactly the same one you would see on a heater with 10 times the power: keep "furnishings at least 3 ft from the front of the heater and away from the sides and rear."
     
    #14 Pluggo, Dec 2, 2016
  15. Nougatti

    Nougatti Member

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    The heat generated from the engine is MUCH MUCH hotter than your little fan, anyway. Why wouldn't THAT crack the windshield on a cold day?
     
    #15 Nougatti, Dec 5, 2016
  16. Pluggo

    Pluggo Senior Member

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    Excellent point. That should clear up any lingering concerns.
     
    #16 Pluggo, Dec 5, 2016
  17. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    How do you figure? Engine coolant isn't going to be much over 180-190 degrees under normal circumstances, meaning blended airflow heated by engine coolant will be less than that temperature, while electrical resistance heaters and fans often produce much hotter airflow.
     
    #17 Air_Boss, Dec 5, 2016
  18. Pluggo

    Pluggo Senior Member

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    Some data points: the 250 watt (850 BTU/hr) heater when aimed directly at a digital thermometer 10 inches away raised the temperature to 92 F after 20 minutes and then held steady. Moving closer, at three inches the temperature went to 121 F after 20 minutes and stayed there. I would not hesitate to use a low-powered heater like this one on my windshield. In actual practice the heater would be as far back on the dash as possible so the stream of air would blow against a wide section of the windshield.
    heater3inches.jpg heater10inches.jpg
     
    #18 Pluggo, Dec 5, 2016
  19. Nougatti

    Nougatti Member

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    Another thing is that the outside of the windshield is going to get a continuous blast of cold air while driving, at say -20'C, with the same blast of hot air from the vents on the other side. The temperature difference would be yuuuge (to quote Donald Trump). The car is definitely designed for it.
    Now, someone fetch a thermometer and measure the exit air of the vents at "full steam".


    iPhone ?
     
    #19 Nougatti, Dec 6, 2016
  20. QuantumFireball

    QuantumFireball Active Member

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    It's not crazy at all: Li-ion batteries work best at more or less the same temperatures that humans find comfortable. The batteries are heated or cooled via the cabin in the PIP - you can see the two vents on the sides of the rear seats. I think the Leaf and other EVs actually have a battery heater for cold climates (may be optional depending on region).

    Is it actually improving your effective range, and not just the estimation?
     
    #20 QuantumFireball, Dec 16, 2016
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