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

Enginer kit came with car, how can I get it working?

Discussion in 'Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications' started by Joeman200, Oct 24, 2018.

  1. Joeman200

    Joeman200 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2018
    16
    8
    0
    Location:
    South Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I recently purchased a 2005 prius. The seller said there was a battery booster with it but he didn't know much about it. I got the car at the low-end KBB price so the kit was a free addition. After taking the car home, opening it up, and doing a quick search here, it seems I have an Engenier PHEV kit installed. It's missing the batteries. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me which kwh kit this is? What batteries would I need? Finally, is there a way I can test the other components to make sure they work?

    Thanks in advance!
     

    Attached Files:

  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    they've been oob for quite a while, good luck!
     
  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
    @ericbecky has dealt with these kits before;).

    He’ll be along eventually(y).
     
  4. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2004
    4,365
    3,209
    1
    Location:
    Madison, Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You have an enginer kit.
    There were several battery iterations over the years.
    Some not available any more.

    Really you can fit whatever you like in there that is 48v, can handle the high amperage. Say 10amp charge 60amp discharge. The system generally used LiFePO4. Here is a link to the website Enginer | Prius Plugin PHEV Conversion Kit with Lithium-Ion | Hybrid

    One common problem was the DC/DC converter.
    You can apply voltage to it and a load to it and see how well it works.

    Easier than that may be to smell it and see if it smell like burned up electronics. Next would be to open it up and inspect it. IGBTs, capacitors, etc.

    The likelihood of it working is low. Many folks blee out the converter. Plus you may need to buy or make additional components.

    Are you willing to spend a couple thousand dollars to make things run? If not, scrap it and move on.

    Feel free to call to discuss things more.
     
    Joeman200 and Raytheeagle like this.
  5. Simtronic

    Simtronic Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2009
    290
    116
    1
    Location:
    Surrey, UK
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius PHV
    Model:
    Business Ed. Plus
    The Inverter as it states is a 3kw they made 3 4 and 5 that I know of the battery can be whatever you can stuff in there. I had a 4kw one that worked for years but I did throw out the BMS as I could see it killing the batteries. The whole thing is still working but the car is now my sons and has 300,000 miles on it now
     
    Joeman200 likes this.
  6. Joeman200

    Joeman200 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2018
    16
    8
    0
    Location:
    South Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Probably not, I don't think the risk would be worth the reward. I also think taking it on as a major project (versus a simple fix) would be over my head.

    Are you talking about the batteries inside the kit or the HV battery? Could this system actually do harm to my vehicle?


    Thank you everyone for your helpful replies!
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  7. Simtronic

    Simtronic Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2009
    290
    116
    1
    Location:
    Surrey, UK
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius PHV
    Model:
    Business Ed. Plus
    The BMS that came with the Enginer kit would damage it's battery, the inverter feeds the car battery and could only feed and not drain it. I remember checking voltages a lot and finding them all out of balance affecting it's range until I fitted a BMS from an old UPS system and it never missed a beat after that.
     
  8. Simtronic

    Simtronic Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2009
    290
    116
    1
    Location:
    Surrey, UK
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius PHV
    Model:
    Business Ed. Plus
    I would strap together 4 old 12v lead acid batteries and give it a try. Check all fuses are in place and of correct value first mind as you have no history with it.
    Welcome aboard have fun and stay safe
     
    Joeman200 likes this.