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My heat pump works well below 16 degrees

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by rsl360, Jan 7, 2018.

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  1. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    exactly.
     
    #21 bisco, Jan 7, 2018
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  2. rsl360

    rsl360 Junior Member

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    Well, we don't know how efficient it is. But there is no reason for it to stop working. The heat pump on my house is rated to work down to -4f. However, I generally don't use it if the temperature is below around 40f. With what I pay for electricity vs fuel oil, it's not efficient. But thermodynamically, it still works all the way down to -4 degrees. And no, it does not have a heater, other than the one that keeps the compressor warm, and that only draws about 30 watts.
     
    #22 rsl360, Jan 7, 2018
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  3. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    I really don't know much about the Prime heating except that it has a heat pump. Does it have a conventional heater or not? I always wondered why cars didn't tap the catalytic converter for instant heat.
     
    #23 padroo, Jan 7, 2018
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    by conventional heater, if you mean a radiator under the dash and engine coolant, yes wonder if tapping the cc would interfere with operation?
     
    #24 bisco, Jan 7, 2018
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    this is what i meant in post 19, thanks for putting it more eloquently.
     
    #25 bisco, Jan 7, 2018
  6. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    Yes, the Prime has a conventional engine coolant heater core in addition to the heat pump. And the Gen 3/4 Prius (including the Prime), has a coolant loop to the engine exhaust to bring the coolant up to temperature very quickly. I believe it uses the exhaust gas coming out of the catalytic converter. As I understand the chemistry, one wants the catalytic converter to get hot as soon as possible, so one wouldn't want to cool off the exhaust gas before entering the converter.
     
    #26 CharlesH, Jan 7, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2018
  7. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Thanks, I will check that out. I really haven't had a chance to get under mine yet, it's been cold and snowy. Now that you mention it I believe I remember it being mentioned in the YouTube video from Weber College in Utah, John Kelly showed the whole cooling system of the Gen4 Prius. Hoses, Hoses and more Hoses. lol




    I think I fell asleep during this video. The part to watch starts at 16:30 about the exhaust heat exchanger.
     
    #27 padroo, Jan 7, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2018
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