1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Reconditioning Experience with Hybrid Automotive's Prolong System

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by biglew8, May 16, 2017.

  1. srellim234

    srellim234 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    1,192
    1,680
    0
    Location:
    Laughlin, Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Over the 2 1/2 years have you seen a gradual improvement in your intermediate voltage at similar times or are they pretty much the same? For example, has the voltage always been what it was at 24 hours or has it gone up with repeated conditioning? I'm asking while thinking I may have lost those top volts above 243 permanently, possibly due to heat. I do know my car has been subjected to a lot more 100*+ days over the years than yours and that had to take a toll on the batteries.
     
  2. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,489
    2,153
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I've been looking through my records and here are the ones I've found so far (sorry for the length!):
    +--start_of_quote------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Date: 20160711
    Traction battery re-condition: 112800 miles
    1. charge & balance, discharge to 134 V
    2. charge & balance, discharge to 84 V
    3. charge & balance, discharge to 17V
    4. 12 hour charge
    5. let sit for 1 hour before driving.
    6. total time 40 hours (approximately)
    Date: 20161229
    Traction battery full re-condition: 117020 miles
    1. charge & balance (16 hours - final 240V, 356 mA) then discharge to 134 V (6 hours - when I checked it had already completed)
    2. charge & balance (16 hours - final 240V, 356 mA) then discharge to 84 V (5 hours - again it had already completed, and crept back up to 192V)
    3. charge & balance (16 hours - final 240V, 356 mA) then discharge to 17V (5 hour - again it had already completed, and crept back up)
    4. 16 hour final charge (final 240V, 356mA)
    5. let sit for 2 hours before driving.
    6. total time 82 hours (approximately)
    Date: 20170614
    122002 miles.
    Chrg1 + balance at 238 V - 16 hours
    Dschrg to 134 V - 5½ hours (hit it on the nail!)
    Chrg2 to 235 V - 17 hours
    Dschrg to 87 V - 6 hours ("dead-cat-bounce" had taken the V back up to 192V when I checked!)
    Chrg3 to 238 V - 18 hours
    Dschrg to 17 V - 5½ hours (hit it on the nail!)
    Chrg4 to 236 V - 16 hours
    Total elapsed time - 84 hours (3½ days)
    Date: 20171015 Prius Hybrid Traction Battery short recondition 126,000 miles
    30+ hours 239V; 358mA
    +--end_of_quote----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    …as you can see, none of the "soakers" have been all that long, and none of the final voltages are anywhere near 247V, and so based on my results yesterday & today, I'd say that longer charges are the way to go!

    (…sorry if I'm boring the regulars! :rolleyes:) (…yeah, right! :sneaky:)

    BTW, the temp in my garage is ~32 deg F at the moment, but gets up into the 90s in the summer…
     
    srellim234 and Raytheeagle like this.
  3. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    It takes more than a lot of words to deter me;).

    I’ll be curious the results after this completed process if you notice any difference.

    But I’ll be patiently waiting(y).
     
    WilDavis likes this.
  4. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,489
    2,153
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    The biggest difference I've noticed recently was the SoC being at 81% after the interrupted start yesterday and the amount of time the SoC is staying in the 70%+ region in most recent trip (~70 miles local driving, not too much highway)
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  5. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Sounds like a healthy battery:).

    I’m glad I started this process before it was too late(y).
     
    WilDavis likes this.
  6. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,489
    2,153
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Same here, there are a few nay-sayers (see threads passim) but as far as Proof of Pudding (…howzabout that for a topical Yule insert) is concerned, I'm convinced (…else it means I've been wasting my time, but I'm an expert at that, as can be seen from my resume), so @jeff652 if you need some ammunition feel free to cut, borrow & paste! ;)
     
    jeff652 and Raytheeagle like this.
  7. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    There are always those that attempt to poke holes :(.

    But it’s hard to argue experience ;).

    I’ve also seen (and helped) small startups in my past and don’t mind taking a chance :).

    This one was a good chance and will help keep our Prius running in good sorts for a long time(y).
     
    WilDavis likes this.
  8. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,489
    2,153
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    …and talking of more data - here's the latest:

    Date 20171226: Prius Hybrid Traction Battery long recondition 128,500 miles
    First Charge: 31 hours 248V 356mA :)
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  9. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,489
    2,153
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    …and
    Dschrg to 134 V - 6:45 hours
    …I noticed that there was less of the flashing and weird readings at the beginning of the next charge cycle, which I had noticed the very first time I used the Prolong System. The voltage indicator flashed between 0 and 120 or 250 back to 0 back to 150 or 220 while the current indicator flashed from 0 to 300 mA or 250 mA. I was quite worried the first time I noticed this, but a phone call to @jeff652 reassured me that all was well, and this time, started about 30 mins ago, there was none of the weirdness, it seemed to go straight into sensible readings. :)
     
    #509 WilDavis, Dec 26, 2017
    Last edited: Dec 26, 2017
    jeff652 and Raytheeagle like this.
  10. srellim234

    srellim234 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    1,192
    1,680
    0
    Location:
    Laughlin, Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Thanks for the reply. It looks like some recovery of the top end does come with the longer soaks (pretty logical when we think about it) but I guess it just remains to be seen how much or even if those higher numbers can improve as the longer soaks are repeated.

    What I'm hoping for is the conditioning improves the battery to hit something like 240v in 20 hours instead of 24 next time as part of a longer 40 hour soak. That would give it those extra hours to work on the top end. If there's no improvement in those intermediate charge times I don't see how I can expect any better top end.
     
    WilDavis and Raytheeagle like this.
  11. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    I’m more curious about performance while in use ;).

    • Does the time investment gain any additional capacity or better performance?
    • Can you discern the difference?
    • Does the reconditioning process extend performance to the point where just a once a year reconditioning is done versus an every 6 month?
    • Others I haven’t thought of?
    I’ll be curious your results on these and any other questions :).

    I have 5 months til our next reconditioning, so I’m all ears (y).
     
    WilDavis and srellim234 like this.
  12. srellim234

    srellim234 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    1,192
    1,680
    0
    Location:
    Laughlin, Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I don't have answers to most of your questions since I just completed putting in the extra time for the first time.

    I also don't have numbers from anything other than the Prolong system itself so I can't speak to actual battery capacity or performance based on numbers. I'll see if there's anything discernible when I head over the Cajon Pass and across the desert to my son's later this week. My wife and daughter went yesterday but I stayed home with this cough and cold. The only thing my wife could tell me was, "The car was good." I think she was a lot more impressed with the cleaner car and particularly the super clean windows.

    On older batteries I'm not sure I'd want to cut the number of conditionings to one a year. I'm sure breaking crystals is generating heat and we may as well do what we can to keep those crystals from forming once they are broken.

    Something tells me we are going to be revisiting these topics a lot over the next few years.
     
    WilDavis likes this.
  13. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,489
    2,153
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    248V is the highest I've seen so far (on the longest charge/soak I've done so far). The previous discharges have all been around 5½ hours, so this time I checked after 5½, and again at 6, and again at 6½ and watched the voltage drop to 134V at exactly 6¾ ( it does speed up! :eek:), so at the next discharge, I'll start checking at 6¾, but I think long soakers (at least 30h) are (at least part of) the answer! ;)
     
    srellim234 and Raytheeagle like this.
  14. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    No worries on the answers as they will happen over time;).

    Just want to get the seeds planted for future reference:).

    Ah the DW and her technical response :rolleyes:. I’m just glad my wife pays attention to some of the little details like dash lights:p.

    In speaking with Jeff when I got my harness installed by him, I asked him about reconditioning cycles and what makes sense for a battery that hasn’t failed (that’s the position you, @WilDavis and I along with others are in). He said to do the 2 cycle reconditioning every 6 months and top end balancing every 3 months.

    While I have done that, I am also a curious lad and don’t want to do more harm than good ;).

    There is a finite limit on battery cycling, and if I can extend the time between these it helps:).

    Also, we have the equipment, so if the signs of battery degradation are present during the extending cycle time, I’ll take action:).

    But if pounding on the top end charge allows for extended duration capacity, I’ll pound on it a bit longer to allow for longer times between cycles ;).

    Looking forward to seeing the results over time (y).
     
    srellim234 and WilDavis like this.
  15. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,489
    2,153
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    My only worry concerns The Law of Diminishing Returns (…precisely where it starts!)
     
    srellim234 and Raytheeagle like this.
  16. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    The only concern I have in the top end extended duration is are there any negatives to this? And I’m not smart enough to know that answer:oops:.

    Only time will tell and the only way to achieve answers is through experience :).

    If you guys report back, I’ll give it the ol’ grade school try in May for more data(y).
     
  17. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,489
    2,153
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    @jeff652 or someone mentioned somewhere about the danger of overheating the TractionBattery when charging for a long period, hence the 48h warnings in the destructions. The TractionBattery fan is powered by the Prolong Charger when it is plugged in (to avoid flattening the AuxBattery), and the fan is quite audible in a quiet garage, in fact I noticed it turned on about 30 secs after I started each of the charge sequences in the latest attempt. The fan started quiet, but I could hear it ramp up and down through the speeds, and it eventually slowed down again so it was barely audible, and I don't think I'd have heard it if I'd been driving. Also, the current temp in my garage is ~32F whereas the last full recondition was done back at the end of June, and the temp was in the 90s. I think that cool == GOOD when charging the TractionBattery! (…just an observation FWIW ;))
     
    srellim234 and Raytheeagle like this.
  18. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    On the new harnesses with the integrated fan (no splicing required) the fam runs full blast all the time. I’ve not heard (or noticed) a pitch change or speed difference.

    Temp during the process is important, so cooler ambient temps may help in this arena:).

    Good luck with your reconditioning (y).
     
    WilDavis likes this.
  19. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,489
    2,153
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    (…uh oh! Heeeee's baaaaaaaaack! :eek:)

    Chrg2: 32 hours 247V 356mA
    …and so 84V here we come! ;)
     
    Raytheeagle and SFO like this.
  20. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    More like: He’s back:):D

    Keep the data comin’(y).
     
    Prodigyplace and WilDavis like this.