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Sluggish acceleration during Hybrid Battery in Charging Stage?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Tekken, Oct 24, 2021.

  1. Tekken

    Tekken Member

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    Hello,

    When Hybrid Battery drop to 2 Bars, ICE kick in to charge Hybrid Battery. During this stage of charging, the Prius sluggish acceleration or lack of power, is it normal ?? If not, what may cause this sluggish acceleration.
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    If the hv battery is really low it may not be contributing much to your acceleration. In addition more of the engine's hp may be diverted to the battery. When the hv battery is newer it has more capacity even at low bars.
     
    Maarten28 likes this.
  3. Tekken

    Tekken Member

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    I believe, i didn't need any Hybrid Battery to contribute my acceleration at the Costco parking lot and looking for parking space with Parking lot speed limit between 5-20 mph. The acceleration still sluggish
     
  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    That is when you normally use the hv battery the most. An Atkinson cycle engine has very little torque at low speeds. Your battery is getting old.











    5
     
  5. Tekken

    Tekken Member

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    Once ICE kick in, it doesn't need Hybrid Battery.. Unless, I flooring gas pedal which it was not necessary during in parking lot drive.
     
  6. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Actually the high voltage normally available from the hybrid battery is used all the time especially at low speeds. At minimum it has to run the electric motors to maintain sync with the engine. At low speed it runs in parallel with the engine. When the hv battery can not contribute due to low capacity, one electric motor is trying to charge the battery while the second is receiving electricity from the system. I promise you that low hv battery capacity dramatically reduces power to the wheels even with the engine on.

    There is an easy test: When the battery has a high charge, do your parking lot test. Acceleration will be normal, at least until the charge depletes.
     
    #6 rjparker, Oct 25, 2021
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2021
  7. Maarten28

    Maarten28 Active Member

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    That is not true. I notice a big difference in normal acceleration with low battery and normal battery. The ICE will rev noticably more when the HV battery is low.
     
  8. johnHRP

    johnHRP Active Member

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    It depends on how much your throttle is. At close to full throttle, it will be all to the wheel but at low and partial throttle, it depends on battery charge level. Especially the torque feel when the 2nd generator does not contribute much because of low battery level.