plugin/other batteries question

There has been a lot of discussion on that subject here. Try using the search function and search all forums for plug in mod or just plug in and you will get a lot of information.

One of the problems with building your own charger is that Toyota has a very special set of parameters to keep the battery healthy. For example you will notice it usually runs around 6 bars on the MFD SOC display which is, I think, around 70% of full charge. The software in the car will not allow it to go over approximately 80% or under 40%. Occasionally the computer will decide to charge it up into the green or let it run a bit lower than usual to help condition it. So what ever kind of charger you would build should keep those factors in mind and most likely a bunch more things I don't know about.

I can't find anything on it right now but there have been some people who put in an extra battery pack in parallel with the existing one just as an experiment. But it wouldn't be worth the trouble to do that on your own either. Also if one of the two failed it would most likely take out the other one. To much risk for to little reward.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tumbleweed @ Aug 29 2006, 05:39 PM) [snapback]311303[/snapback]</div>

And to mention also the isues with Toyota hardware warranties, while they are still in force. There are some adventurers in this field that can not came to the open because of this, besides of the the about $7000 principal investment + hours of labor and patience.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(andreaswin @ Aug 29 2006, 02:14 PM) [snapback]311291[/snapback]</div>

Try CALCARS.ORG; it is a great website with many interesting links which will explain all about PHEV's much better than I can. Good luck...