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

PHEV conversion kit question

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by meehow09, May 8, 2012.

  1. meehow09

    meehow09 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2012
    42
    9
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Would any of you consider getting a PHEV conversion done to your Prius C. It is just a plug-in battery system to supplement your existing battery and it provides up to 20-40 miles per full charge.

    I want the 4kW hr kit and it will cost $3495 + $500 installation - 80% cost due to Illinois Rebate Program for conversions. The final total will be $840 including tax. Do you think this is too much for the system?

    The kit is the Enginer PHEV 4KWH Kit for $3,495.00? There is also a kit for 2kwh, 6, and 8.
    Website link: http://www.enginer.us/products/conversion_kit.php
     
  2. SquallLHeart

    SquallLHeart The Techie Guy

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2012
    826
    247
    5
    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    thought of it.... still thinking.
     
  3. Mik1

    Mik1 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    333
    54
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    I wish we had something like that here in Texas. For $840 I would do it with a blink of an eye:cool:
     
  4. actiondonkey

    actiondonkey Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2012
    91
    30
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    II
    Link to the legal fine print and company offering services please. I'll be driving through IL next month and might open a P.O. box to claim residency.

    Some car dealerships allowed customers to 'sign over' their hybrid gvt rebate and use that amt as a down payment on the car. Wonder if this company would allow me to sign over this rebate and they do the dirty work come tax time whilst I already have a sweet PEHV kit
     
  5. Mik1

    Mik1 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    333
    54
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    I found these two:
    Illinois Green Fleets
    Vehicle Conversion Rebate | Department of Energy
    But I think PO box is not enough.:(
     
  6. actiondonkey

    actiondonkey Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2012
    91
    30
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    II
    " In order to qualify, vehicle conversion must take place in Illinois, and converted vehicles must be registered and operated in Illinois."

    The registered part would be a bit more difficult to circumvent. Oh well, so much for getting the Ill taxpayers to foot my PEHV bill:D
     
  7. formula

    formula Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2012
    320
    32
    0
    Location:
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    lol OMG. I hope we have sometime like this in CA. I think you can also claim 10% from Fed?

    it would have been done if we had it in CA. lol

    I did send a email to Enginer about converting the PC, but no reply yet
     
  8. Mik1

    Mik1 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    333
    54
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    The registered part would be a bit more difficult to circumvent. [/QUOTE]

    That's right. Unless there is a long term business trip with relocation to the Ill on the radar:D
     
  9. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    3,326
    1,512
    38
    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Is there physical room in the C for a 4 kWh Enginer kit? Consider that it fills the space between the HV battery and the rear deck in a Gen II.

    Still, a 2 kWh kit may be appropriate for the C. Since it has a 144V system, I believe it is only possible to run the 3 kW converter. It is possible that Jack Chen would be interested, since a small kit in a C has the potential for a 100 MPG car. Eric Powers make a post not too long ago about the performance of a 2kWh kit in his Gen 1 Honda Insight, also 144V: Adding Enginer PHEV system. - Page 12 - Insight Central: Honda Insight Forum
     
    1 person likes this.
  10. MJFrog

    MJFrog Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2009
    780
    266
    0
    Location:
    NE Oklahoma
    Vehicle:
    2018 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    N/A
    The Enginer kit only puts out max 15A of current to the HV battery. You may be able to go 20-40 miles all electric on a charge, but you won't be going any faster than 15-20 mph for that distance. At higher speeds you will be traveling in what they call "blended mode", which means the pack supplements the power from the ICE, thus increasing your MPG.

    Your call as to whether this is worth the $$$ to you.
     
  11. Mik1

    Mik1 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    333
    54
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    When I'm gliding on mine, I can use HV battery at the speeds up to 40-42 mph. Most of my 14-15 miles commute has the speed limits between 30 and 45 mph. Does it mean that I can use the additional pack most of the time except when I am accelerating and the ICE kicks in?
     
  12. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    3,326
    1,512
    38
    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    The Enginer pack will keep the battery at high SoC, which makes gliding easier. Since the system voltage is lower, higher current is potentially possible, as long as it does not trigger a fault code.

    It most definitely will not make your car into an EV, and you very much should always use the ICE for acceleration and hills. It would help deliver higher fuel economy if used for gliding/stealth at lower speeds, or blending on the highway.

    It could just work, but early adopters should be forewarned that there may be significant hurdles, and should be sophisticated users: either a mechanic, or a scientist/engineer.
     
    1 person likes this.
  13. Mik1

    Mik1 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    333
    54
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Will it be correct to think that the Enginer pack it some way or another will increase the capacity of my HV battery?
     
  14. SquallLHeart

    SquallLHeart The Techie Guy

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2012
    826
    247
    5
    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    it does not increase the capacity of the HV battery.. per say..

    it's more an aux battery that inputs a little current to the traction battery.. keeping the traction battery at a higher SoC..

    it wouldn't say it increases the capacity... more... it just acts like a small trickle charger that you keep in the car.. sure..
     
  15. formula

    formula Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2012
    320
    32
    0
    Location:
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    I got a reply from Enginer.


    Q: Will the kit work with 2012 Prius C?
    A : yes, the kit can be installed onto a PriusC.

    Q: if I bought the PHEV 2KWH Kit, can I add more battery later to make it to 4KWH Kit or 10KWH Kit ?
    A: If you purchase a 2kWh kit, you can trade-in the old battery for 4kWh one for extra $1500 when you upgrade to 4kWh system.
     
  16. Mik1

    Mik1 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    333
    54
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    In that case for my 14-15 miles (one way) commute 2kW will be the best bet I would say. Will start thinking about it a little bit more...:D
     
  17. rwiggins951

    rwiggins951 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    9
    3
    0
    Location:
    Cleveland OH
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    III
    I am interested in pursuing this. Need to see if Ohio offers any such rebates and get more details on the Engineer kit with a PC
     
  18. formula

    formula Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2012
    320
    32
    0
    Location:
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    I will check with Enginer for more detail. I hope the kit can fit just above the spare tire where the think foam is.
     
  19. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    3,326
    1,512
    38
    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Since you are in Cleveland, OH, contact Enginer (Troy, MI) and see if Jack will do the install personally.

    Can someone post a picture of where a prospective kit might be fitted in the back? I think, just count on losing access to or removing the spare tire. Before everyone starts howling, think about the last time that you had to change your tire in the middle of nowhere with no access to AAA etc.
     
  20. briank101

    briank101 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2012
    170
    68
    0
    Location:
    Western Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Even though I live in Illinois and after reading this Vehicle Conversion Rebate | Department of Energy
    , I suspect this rebate does not apply to this type of PHEV conversion kit. If anyone has had success with this Illinois rebate, I would be interested in a specific reference to PHEV conversion kits being applicable.