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Prius plug-in not charging completely

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by GCPExit12, Sep 24, 2012.

  1. GCPExit12

    GCPExit12 Member

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    On my last few charge cycles, the PiP's battery has not been charging completely. Even when I get the "charge complete" message, the top part of the battery indicator remains unfilled and I'm only getting 14.1 estimated range. Anyone else have this issue or find a solution?

    For comparison, last month I used to get 15.2 to 15.6 of estimated EV, when the battery icon filled completely after each charge. I always use the charge timer to set charging to finish 10-20 minutes before I need to drive the car.

    My M-F routine:
    - car finishes charging at 8:30 (13.8-14.1 estimated EV)
    - I drive 8 miles to work at 8:20-8:30 (5-7 estimated EV remain, depending on traffic)
    - I set charge timer to finish at 6:30 (13.8-14.1 estimated EV)
    - I drive 8 miles to home at 6:30-6:45 (5-7 estimated EV remain, depending on traffic)
    - repeat

    My weekend routine is obviously different, more driving, more charing, and not using the charge timer. Could it be because i'm not using all the EV so the battery is being lazy and not feeling like charging more than I need? Are there any known side effects of mixing 110V and 220V charging?

    also I've used one bar on the gas gauge since mid-August, should I be using the engine more often to preserve the battery?

    thanks in advance
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the only way of knowing if the battery is providing as much power as it was is to have a route you can do in all ev until the battery is depleted anf the ice fires. all other things being equal (outside temp, dry, climate off, driving style, etc.) you should be able to drive that route to test the battery.
     
  3. It's possible that the memory can be stimulated thru 90-100% use of EV. I always charge between 13-15 and very rarely 12. something. I have not figured out the key to maximum and consistent charging yet.
     
  4. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    When I first got the PiP Aug 2nd I was just putting .... ah, errrrring around our small town everyday. I was consistenly getting 14.2 or 14.3 miles of EV after charging overnight. Now the thrill of a new toy has worn off so the car is used mainly for highway driving. This morning I checked and it was 12.3...the same as the last few mornings.

    I know people have said the car "remembers" how you drive and the estimate of EV differs based on how the car projects you will drive using your older driving record....but now I'm wondering is something simple like "Average Speed" is what the computer bases it's future estimate upon since my average speed has gone up considerably.
     
  5. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

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    Can you post a picture of the "unfilled battery" icon? I'm guessing it'd have to be a pretty noticeable unfilled portion. But I dont think I've ever seen anything like that after a full night's charge.
     
  6. GCPExit12

    GCPExit12 Member

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    thanks for the input everyone. just to clarify, I'm not experiencing less efficient mileage estimates for a full charge. My battery charge indicator simply doesn't seem to fill completely after a full charge.
    I will do this tonight.
     
  7. priuskitty

    priuskitty PIP FAN

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    did you set the charge timer to stop charging before the PIP charger has finished charging?
     
  8. ryogajyc

    ryogajyc Active Member

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    I think I've seen this before and I think it may be related to charging finishing right before driving the car. If that's the case, maybe the float charge makes the car appear fully charged, but as soon as you power on the car, the float charge disappears and the battery appears a little less than full.
     
  9. GCPExit12

    GCPExit12 Member

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    if you mean like setting the charger to finish charging the battery in like 2 hours when it needs 3 to finish charging then no. This is overnight charging. The car is in the garage by 7PM, I set the charge timer to finish by 8:30AM the next day, and the car stays there until then. I haven't done anything different from before when I was getting a fully charged battery indicator.

    I hope you're right. The only thing I've been doing differently this month from last month is not use the gas. My wife started maternity leave last week so I've been driving the car to my work alone.

    Last month I would drive both of us in the morning to my work place (8 miles), go to work, and she would drive to her work place (another 6 miles). She doesn't have anywhere to charge at work. In the afternoon she would pick me up (6 miles) and then I'd drive us home (8 miles). We would use up all the EV and do HV the rest of the way.

    This month I drive to my work place (8 miles), charge to full, and drive home (8 miles). The commute is 8 mile each way, see original post for charge/mileage breakdowns.

    Thanks again for all the input guys, you are the reason I love this forum.
     
  10. GCPExit12

    GCPExit12 Member

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  11. priuskitty

    priuskitty PIP FAN

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    So, let me get this straight.......the charge timer starts charging based on the estimated time to fully charge the battery and end charging at your preferred stop time?
     
  12. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    You can set either a start time or a preferred end time, although from reports here, the "end time" option seems to always assume that a complete charge is required, regardless of the actual current charge level.
     
  13. priuskitty

    priuskitty PIP FAN

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    so.......preferred end time is not actually preferred, but actual full charge level time (give or take)
     
  14. priuskitty

    priuskitty PIP FAN

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    are you aware that the charger electronics checks SOC 8 times during the full charging cycle?
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    battery icon looks full to me. maybe mine is low?
     
  16. rockerdan

    rockerdan PiP Rocks!

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    I often wondered why there is a END TIME on the timer.....I thought once charging started it always takes same time in total(approx 2.5-3hrs)

    So are you guys saying you can start it at midnight, and end it at 6am and it would just charge slower?

    Or do you need to ONLY SET either start time OR end time? and then you hold the button down on which one you want it to do?


    I always thought this timer was quirky and not easily understood...lol

    thanks
    Dan
     
  17. priuskitty

    priuskitty PIP FAN

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    depends on how dead your battery is ( dead battery=2hours and 34 minutes at 120volts for me (shorter if you have EV miles left over before charging)
     
  18. Chris, I think you may have hit on the answer.
     
  19. priuskitty

    priuskitty PIP FAN

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    When you use your trip odo to track EV , it gives you actual EV range (if you drive only in EV) for example, My terrain is flat, when I go 35mph, I get 10.9 on my trip odo, if I go 25 MPH or slower my trip odo tops out at 15.1 miles, but my EV at full charge remains at 12.3 miles, if I drive often enough at 25 or below then my EV will eventually display 15.1 miles
     
  20. Agree, the car rewards one for driving conservatively...................and VICA VERSA.