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Portable battery to charge Prime available?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Mal McMallow, Jan 20, 2022.

  1. Mal McMallow

    Mal McMallow New Member

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    I'm wondering is there a consumer battery that can be used to charge a Prime? I have no parking spot at my rental so can't charge on the street. I occasionally charge it at charge points but would like if I could use more of the electric side of the Prime. Ideally in my situation there would be a battery that I could charge at my place and then take it outside and charge the car when it needs it. Is there anything like this on the market?
     
  2. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    If there was it would weigh several hundred pounds and be the size of a large suitcase.
     
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  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    ... but it could have motorized wheels to help you get it outside.
     
  4. dbstoo

    dbstoo Senior Member

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    There have been several companies that have developed "portable charging stations" for EV use. One company was promoting it as a quick charge for a tow truck to carry instead of jerrycans of gasoline.

    The down side of using a battery pack to charge your prime is that there are conversion losses each time that you charge or discharge a battery. Arranging for a long extension cord is much more practical and better for the environment.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    generator?
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what we need is a robotic charger that you can call on an app
     
  7. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    Given the cost and hassle involved, maybe just using charge mode doesn't seem so bad?
     
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    have you tried one of those jump packs?
     
  9. Mal McMallow

    Mal McMallow New Member

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    I would go the extension cord route but there's only street parking in my neighborhood. Unfortunately there's only parking on the opposite side of the street so I'd have to run the cable across the street. I'm sure this would not be a good look and would probably end badly.
     
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  10. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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  11. John roden

    John roden Member

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    You can charge it with your gas engine sometimes or just not worry about it. A normal hybrid Prius might serve your situation better, but just charge when you get a chance and don't sweat it.
     
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  12. Mal McMallow

    Mal McMallow New Member

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    that's a big boy
     
  13. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I have a jump pack that holds 29.6 watt hours.

    If we were able to use that to charge the Prime's traction battery, then at the Prime's published 259 watt hours per mile, it would move the car nearly 604 feet.

    Which, thinking about it, is really kind of impressive. :)
     
    #13 ChapmanF, Jan 21, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2022
  14. dbstoo

    dbstoo Senior Member

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    That's simply a 9kw gasoline powered generator. It would work, but most generators create more pollution per killowatt than a car does. That kind of cancels out the who reason for going to electric cars.
     
  15. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I agree. I believe it is marketed as a commercial product for a roadside assistant for stranded BEVs or as a supplement to blink networked chargers where the electric grid is not available. I would not think there is a good use case for residential applications. That being said, the spec of this gas generator must be really good. It states "The mobile plug-in charging unit can deliver up to 1 mile of charge per minute." Obviously not for PP though.
     
  16. dbstoo

    dbstoo Senior Member

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    With a level 2 charger we get around 1 mile per 5.2 minutes of charge on a Prius Prime. (If my math is right)
     
  17. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    I got the same 5 min 12 sec per EV mile using the EPA rated 25 EV miles and 2 hours 10 minutes charging time empty to full. Newer Primes have been reporting a flat 2 hour L2 charge time in some cases with would bring the time to 4 min 48 sec / EV mile. It's all over the place for owners who get both less and more than EPA rated 25 EV miles. I've seen one new Chargepoint install finish up a full charge on my 2017 in a bit less than 2 hours, like an hour and 50 minutes. The standard works well in this case as long as everyone is on the same page. ;)
     
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  18. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Considering the fact CHG mode can fill the traction battery at 1%/min at stationary idling (1mile/4min) or 2%/min while driving (1mile/2min), using CHG mode on PP is probably the fastest way to charge. And likely more efficient and cleaner than using a gas generator.
     
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  19. Mal McMallow

    Mal McMallow New Member

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    Please make me understand CHG mode. If I'm using gas to charge the battery why wouldn't I just use the gas engine to drive rather than charge the vehicle?
     
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  20. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    I think you understand it perfectly.
    I think that CHG mode is only useful in a VERY limited number of situations.
    I have often wondered why it is even there.
    Wonder what the owners manual says about it ?