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Gen 4 cells in a Gen 2

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by TampaPrius.com, Jan 16, 2017.

  1. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

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    This is exciting to hear! I know for the gen 3 cells, there are incremental improvements like less internal resistance and some other improvements versus the gen 2 modules. I imagine the same is true for gen 4 modules. When you finish, I'm curious to know if you notice any changes to the car's behavior versus a normal gen 2. If the modules are a bit more powerful, I could image a touch more "spunk" to the accelerator pedal when using electric power.
     
    #21 Kevin_Denver, Feb 4, 2017
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2017
  2. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    The big question is whether or not a Gen4 lithium battery would work in earlier NiMh equipped vehicles. I assume that a 2016 lithium battery would be a direct swap with a 2016 NiMh unit. But could you move the lithium cells and ECU from a 2016 to a Gen2/Gen3 case and it work?
     
  3. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

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    I would not expect the lithium ion cells from the Gen 4 eco model to be compatible with a gen 2 or gen 3 Prius, whose ECUs are programmed for NiMH. The battery technology is completely different and the batteries will behave differently under load, use a different range of state of charge, etc, and therefore require the car's ECU to be programmed specifically for it. Tampa is swapping NiMH cells from the non-Eco Prius, which should behave close enough for the gen 2 or gen 3 to work with them (probably have slightly superior performance by lower internal resistance or other factors).

    Tampa, do you have an update since January?
     
  4. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    That is probably why he suggested swapping the ECU too.
     
  5. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Cool! I just discovered this in a reference in another thread. Great work, Todd @TampaPrius.com!

    Just as a point of reference, Mildred's '07 with the 2015 cells does seem spunkier than I remember any of our previous gen 2 cars feeling. Maybe not spunkier, but crisper! Livelier? Not sure how to describe it.
     
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  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    @jerrymildred may be able to get an update from Todd.
    The 2018 HyCam SE and XLE are NiMH too.
    I wonder would Gen 4 LiIon or Prime modules work in the PiP? I am sure there are Gen 4 wrecks but not many PiPs have yet needed the battery.
    Another project for Todd?
     
  7. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

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    Ah, missed that, sorry. I don't think an ECU swap would work as the HSD and engine are different in the gen4 as well. A full drivetrain swap might be possible for a modder ready for a serious challenge.
     
  8. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    That could be at the level of the Firebrid project.
    Firebrid: The Prius v Powered Hybrid Convertible | PriusChat
     
  9. TampaPrius.com

    TampaPrius.com Active Member

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    Update

    This battery went into a customers car about the same time I built it. I have not heard from them. If there were any issues I'm sure I would have.
     
  10. TampaPrius.com

    TampaPrius.com Active Member

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    I just did another one from a wrecked 2017 with 2k miles. It is available for installation. $2200
     
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  11. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I see you now have a Gen 4 in stock. Sweet!! Sure wish I was in the market.
     
  12. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    @TampaPrius.com needs to update Web "About Me".

    ...I currently stock 2nd generation (2004-2009) models. ...

    I believe you stock more (and newer) than that... :D
     
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  13. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    2016. 2. Spare tire but no advanced safety features.
    The listing says "Front fog lights" but the photos show the stock blank covers, I think.
     
  14. TampaPrius.com

    TampaPrius.com Active Member

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    Thanks, I updated the listing.
     
  15. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I am interested in your opinion. In another thread about flooded Prii, somebody is looking at a 2016 with no traction battery. Assuming it is not Trim Two, do you think a PiP battery would work? We know they are both Li-Ion.

    I thought there were differences in the battery packs among generations even though the modules are compatible.
     
  16. TampaPrius.com

    TampaPrius.com Active Member

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    No, it will not work. Only put the same type of battery that originally came in the car.
     
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  17. Woodchuck

    Woodchuck Junior Member

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    Did the Gen 4 battery just bolt right in? What about the electrical connections, etc?


    iPhone ? Pro
     
  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    The modules from a US Gen 4 Trim TWO (not Eco) can work in an older generation battery pack. The other trims have a different battery chemistry that is not compatible with your vehicle.

    The battery packs are not interchangeable between generations.
     
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  19. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    You have to transplant the cells from the Gen 4 battery case to the Gen 2 battery case.
     
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  20. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    ONLY if the Gen 4 is s Trim Two!

    You cannot safely put the Li-Ion battery modules in older generations. The exception may be the plugin Prius but nobody has tried that yet.