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Looking for salvage Prius Prime

Discussion in 'Prime Technical Discussion' started by bwilson4web, Feb 4, 2019.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    After three years, there should have been a couple of Prius Prime totaled in an accident. Would anyone know the location of where the remains might be found?

    I am interested in understanding the dimensions under the rear floor including the former, spare-tire, recess. Once I understand the dimensions, it should be possible to sketch out a replacement, traction battery pack that fits in the spare-tire, recess.

    Worse comes to worse, I can probably use the spare tire well of a Gen-2 to Gen-4 Prius to 'rough it out.' But if I can find a Prius Prime, the dimensions would be more accurate.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  2. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    What am I missing here?
    The Prime has no spare or “well”.
     
  3. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Under the rear floor and batteries.

    Bob Wilson
     
  4. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    Sadly totaled cars are worth more for export than domestically so newer examples tend to leave.

    Looks like a broken rear hatch totals them
    https://www.copart.com/lot/24787879

    I would check car-part.com for key Prime parts and just bug the local yards, they can usually find you one at a pick and pull to examine, just remember if you want the hulk it might be rather expensive
     
  5. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    I'm waiting for business hours to ask pick-a-part, 'chat' team if there is one.

    Bob Wilson
     
  6. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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  7. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    How much are you willing to pay for a totaled Prius Prime including shipping cost just to measure the dimensions? You may find one for sale or on auction online, but getting them shipped to your local might cost too much?
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ah, i'm not the only one who realized toyota blew it with battery placement.:whistle:
     
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  9. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    You are the only one who constantly complains about it. The rest of us acknowledge the upgrade process and the tradeoff decision.

    Drawing conclusions during pregame simply doesn't make any sense. Wait at least until the tax-credit stage has passed. The real players of the game (mainstream consumers) haven't even arrived at the field yet.

    Keep in mind that the market is still emerging, that we are only in a very early stage still. In other words, there is no "blew it" to claim... that's far too premature. Everyone is only testing the water. There is lots of opportunity to adjust.

    Also, don't overlook the barriers you create toward technology acceptance but distracting with complaints. Though valid, they are far less important than proving the battery is robust enough to withstand the extremes owners encounter.
     
    #9 john1701a, Feb 4, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2019
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    oh sure, i don't disagree with that. there is always opportunity for anyone who is still alive.

    but you have to admit, toyota has compromised their first two plug ins unnecessarily
     
  11. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Why do you feel trading storage for capacity to test reception in the early market was bad?

    I'd be upset if Toyota was stubborn, like GM was with Volt, being unwilling to try.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    because i don't think that was their intent. i believe they thought they could pass off another low range phev with other improvements and it would sell in the u.s. because japan doesn't care about range.

    they fell on their sword after being sent back to the drawing board, but should have designed the hatch space/battery properly to begin with. it would have been just as cost effective if not more.
    toyota's problem is that they don't listen. there was plenty of talk about the miserable range on the pip for 5 years.
     
  13. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Toyota listens, just not to you. Far more people weighed in saying they wanted a more powerful EV drive with electric heating that was still affordable.

    Toyota delivered that.

    It's all about managing priorities.
     
    #13 john1701a, Feb 4, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2019
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yeah, guess i missed the silent majority. too bad it isn't working out for them
     
  15. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Who says it's not? The data they are collecting is worth far more than early-adopter sales. Remember the longer term goal. Don't focus so much on what happens in a setup stage.

    The nature of the prismatic cells may change over time. So what fits now or what could have fit may not matter anyway.
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yeah, you're probably right. won't know until we know
     
  17. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    My interest is more of an engineering question. But it might be easier just to take the dimensions of a full-size, spare tire, and sketch out how many 18650 or 21700/2170 cells could fit in the space. Once I know the dimensions, I can use the Webber State video to figure out the cell-to-cell wiring and heat-pipe style, exchanger.

    My inspiration:
    [​IMG]
    Unlike a machine gun drum, once assembled, there is no further mechanical motion of the cells. They are assembled with buss wires, wire bonded in a parallel-series assembly. Because there is no relative motion, the spiral can go all the way to the center.

    A prototype using perforated disk-manifolds would be initially used with forced air heating and cooling. But ducting and heat exchangers reduces the number of cells. However, everything would be built using ammonia safe metal, primarily aluminum and aluminum wire. After materials testing, the units would use heat-pipe architecture and ammonia to keep everything at the same, battery-happy, temperature.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Hope you find something, will be a fun read. How much are you willing to spend?
     
  19. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    If you get one I would like to know dimensions mounting and actuation information for the Primes one way clutch that resides between the ICE and motor
    I can foresee other cars that could gain new functionality from a junkyard one way clutch
     
  20. bamike

    bamike Junior Member

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    Wow the backup camera still works on this car! I wonder why they totaled it, what is it about the rear hatch being busted that is so expensive?