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Creating a home office in my car

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Kent Hinson, May 28, 2019.

  1. Kent Hinson

    Kent Hinson New Member

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    Hello friends!

    I am the owner of a 2009 Prius touring.

    I am a software engineer I work from home. I often get distracted from work by the family

    I've taken to sitting with my laptop in the car. Having a "office" away from the main house is great. Especially considering the electric AC and comfortable seats!

    So I was thinking if I could charge the hybrid battery with a AC to DC power supply I would make it a full time thing.

    Here are a few questions I have.
    I read the pack is around 200v nominal. What is the full voltage?
    How Much power does the AC draw?

    I'm thinking of using a CCCV power supply to change the car in ready mode. while using the AC. I assume if the energy used is the same or less then the power coming in then the engine will never turn on?

    Anything else I might be missing?

    Thanks!!!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    it can't be done. consider trading up to a prime, with 8 times the battery size and a plug.

    ( i used to work from home, my wife thought i was just home :rolleyes:)
     
  3. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    You are trying to reinvent a 2009 Prius plugin. The companies that made kits to do that died out years ago. Butying a Prime may be a good option for you.
     
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  4. Kent Hinson

    Kent Hinson New Member

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    Lol yes the wife problem

    However is definitely not impossible and should actually be relatively easy from my research.

    I mean I've made a 72v ebike that hits 50mph. Can't be that much harder for me ;)
     
    #4 Kent Hinson, May 28, 2019
    Last edited: May 28, 2019
  5. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Yes but how many computers were controlling the bike?
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    let me put it another way, anything can be done, but few people are willing to go through the time, effort and cost to accomplish it.
    i'm not trying to be a negative nancy, but we get these questions from time to time, and then after much deliberation, the final answer is always the same.

    if you're smart enough and conscientious enough to do it, than your smarter and more conscientious than anyone here.

    i hope you pull it off, and come back to tell us how it was done. all the best!(y)
     
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  7. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Get a plug-in Kent. A whole new world awaits!

    We have a guy on the C-max forum who wants to get a used one for doing private investigator work on the down lo..... :whistle:
     
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  8. Kent Hinson

    Kent Hinson New Member

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    What is the point of this message?

    Thanks for the info. I guess I had hoped this site would have more technical / gear monkey type users. I appreciate your honesty.
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there is a technical forum here that you can check out, but from what i've read, you'd be better off searching yahoo groups or some such.
     
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  10. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Most Prius-size cars have between 12,000-20,000Btu/Hr worth of air conditioning. (I don't know the exact value for a Prius, but the size of the car and the relative amount of insolation through windows is going to be pretty similar from car to car)

    That straddles the upper limit of what you're going to be able to pull through a heavy outdoor 120V extension cord, even without conversion losses into a DC charger.

    So I imagine you could build a charger that keeps the gas engine from starting as often, but it is still going to run occasionally. Probably better that way anyhow, it would be an added challenge to figure out how to lock the thing out.

    I think the challenge is going to be in making a charge controller that notices when the voltage is up (engine has started) and backs itself off to prevent overcurrent, then sneaks back in after voltage has dropped (engine has stopped) and then supplements power on the discharge downslope to lengthen the engine-off period as long as possible.

    You could save time, frustration and money by making up a hose/mount contraption to attach a $300 appliance air conditioner to one of the side windows. Scores fewer challenge points but it would get the job done.
     
    #10 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, May 29, 2019
    Last edited: May 29, 2019
  11. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    Just get an inverter and hook up to the 12 volt battery to power your laptop. A pure sine wave unit would be best. I have a 2000 watt inverter under the driver seat from which I power my computer, Kerig hotel-style 1 cup coffee maker, ice maker (in the hot seasons), printer, etc. No reason to tap the traction battery. Just keep the car in Ready mode.
     
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  12. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Kind of a rude comment form someone looking for help.

    I don’t know what your home setup is but it sounds like you need a home office with a lock on the door and a do not disturb sign to me.
     
  13. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    The Prius has several computers involved in maintaining the traction battery. Those companies that tried to "work around" it and extend the EV range of the Prius are no longer in business. Toyota was able to do that with the PiP because they know the software and could change the code as necessary. The Prime is an more improved version.

    I would not say we are not "smart" here. It is smarter to know your limits than to tear up something and then hitting a dead end with perhaps a damaged vehicle.
     
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  14. Kent Hinson

    Kent Hinson New Member

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    Thanks for the info on the AC unit that's helpful. I plan on using a CCCV power supply. They usually have diodes built in to prevent the car from feedback into the supply.

    Dont see how it's rude. I was replying to the message that stated "if you're smart enough and conscientious enough to do it, than your smarter and more conscientious than anyone here". After reading that I figured this was not a modding type community. It would be rude for me to not believe him wouldn't it? I'm sorry it offended you not my intention.

    I know limits thanks. I also was going off what was told to me see my quote above. Was not trying to insult your intelligence.

    I also know if I parrallel my charger into the battery before the contactors the battery won't have any way of knowing where the power is coming from. the inverter/converter or my power supply. The cars computer will simply see the voltage isn't dropping and won't start the ICE.

    I'm not coming at this without educating myself.


    Most of the information I need is already available. I was asking about AC power draw because it's not available anywhere I've found.
     
    #14 Kent Hinson, May 30, 2019
    Last edited: May 30, 2019
  15. Kent Hinson

    Kent Hinson New Member

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    Not worried about the Laptop battery. Thanks anyways.
     
  16. Kent Hinson

    Kent Hinson New Member

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    I think what I will end up doing is using a amp meeter on the high voltage wire and measuring the draw with AC Unit on full blast. That will let me know what size power supply I need. Just was curious if anyone knew the spec already so I wouldn't have to take the car apart twice :)
     
  17. Kent Hinson

    Kent Hinson New Member

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    Not really interested in buying a new car when I think I can fix this myself much cheaper. I am curious how this guy plans to plug in his car while he is on lookout for his PI job though? Lol
     
  18. kevin.c

    kevin.c Member

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    This is the best answer. I know many companies that use this setup to run big auxiliary loads in their Priuses - there are good reasons:

    * In ready mode, the Prius 12V circuit can support over 1 kW. (You can even tap directly into the 12V line if you don't want to use the cigarette lighter. Just make sure to install your own fuse)

    * Tapping into the traction battery is dangerous. Now you need to prove that high voltages aren't going places you don't want. You don't need to do this if you stick with 12V.

    * No need to work around ECU. The gas engine kicks in as needed to top off the battery & everything just works.
     
  19. Kent Hinson

    Kent Hinson New Member

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    All the info I've read so far says the AC unit doesn't run off the 12v rail it runs off the traction battery. Can you link to a source that shows it runs off the 12v rail?
     
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  20. Kent Hinson

    Kent Hinson New Member

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    As you can see by the orange cable the AC unit definitely runs off the traction battery.

    From your response it seems you have misunderstood. I'm trying to put energy into the Prius. Not trying to use it as a generator.
     

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