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PiP 1st gen to Prime battery conversion

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Catalinux, Mar 3, 2021.

  1. Catalinux

    Catalinux Junior Member

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    Hi all,
    I just searched for a thread for a conversion from the 2.2 kWh battery of the first PiP to 4.4 kWh from Prime.
    Will that be possible?
    I suppose that it is necessary a charger and some wiring, I don't know about the ECU's but still it would be interesting if someone made such a modification.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    anything is possible, but not everything is worthwhile. the modifications would be so major, that it would have to be a labor of love.
    prime are so cheap these days, there isn't enough love in the world
     
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  3. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    Step 1.

    dimensions, could it fit?

    step 2

    specifications
    Voltage # of cells, BMS arrangements

    Step 3

    connectivity, what connectors are used throughout the battery system?

    occassionally you luck out like in a leaf where you can transfer new cells into an old battery

    other times not so much.

    You start, I’ll wait for your progress answering these problems with solutions
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    suspension upgrade, remove the bench seat, replac with two buckets :D
     
  5. Catalinux

    Catalinux Junior Member

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    I guess so, Rmay635703 :), maybe as a project, it would be interesting to see the outcome of this. But you are correct, it involves more that just "few" modifications indeed. I'll stick with the 2.2 battery for now. I was interested because i found such a battery quite cheap, but a lot of headache to modify. All i wanted was a few more miles on the electric side than the actual, after a full charge.
     
  6. Catalinux

    Catalinux Junior Member

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    Hahahahah, yes, my wife will be so thrilled ;)
     
  7. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    The Prime's battery is 8.78 kWh, not 4.4. I'm pretty sure the voltage is higher, too. I know it's much higher than a regular Prius.

    I've done no research, so this is off the top of my head, but I think you'd need:
    • A bigger charger since the Prime charges with more current than the PiP.
    • A bigger inverter for the same reason.
    • Bigger wires between the inverter & battery to handle the increased current.
    • New ECUs from a Prime to control the system.
    • Possibly stronger rear suspension due to the increased weight.
     
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    pip is 4.4 iirc. if that's correct, o/p has already accomplished his objective (y)
     
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  9. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I thought that that 2.2 sounded puny. Not much more than a regular Prius as I recall.