Introduction

I would like to make a post to introduce myself.

My name is Jim Alles. I am an Engineering Technician. My last employer was The Pennsylvania State University, State College PA where I worked as an HVAC controls technician, doing custom programming.
I am semi-retired

I am no more than a shade-tree mechanic who became frustrated with bad brake jobs from large commercial chains, etc. so I take on those kinds of projects with my vehicles. My experience with various battery technologies goes back to the early 1980s, however.

My current 2017 Prius v [Three] was my first foray into any kind of electric vehicle. As it had the Toyota Certified pre-owned warranty, I took it to the dealer for every scheduled service - the only thing they didn't sell me was tires, and I had to insist that they add the cost of cleaning the traction battery cooling fan.

My Prius now has 107k miles on it - and I completed my first oil change today.
I have a whole list of maintenance items on the to-do list, mainly changing fluids. I need a garage to do the EGR cooler cleaning and intake manifold gaskets, etc.

Future goals for this wonderful bit of technology right now is a lift kit from Prius Offroad;
then in the musing ideas phase maybe a solar panel or two for another battery and a fridge and / or cooling while parked.

My wife and I camp in our Prius. That has been about once a year, but rolling the windows up, having aux power, A/C or heat and ventilation with no bugs is just wonderful. I usually set up a gear tent outside for the stuff that gets disgorged from the entire back of the car (seats down)

Aux power includes a 1000w Samlex pure sine wave inverter connected to the 12v battery harness with an 80A fuse and Anderson PowerPoles. We carry a 600w microwave oven and an induction cooktop with selectable power draw.

 

An apology.

I didn't realize with my first few posts that they would be held for moderation. This was not a surprise to me, I just forgot.
This is not my first forum membership. I understand the need to vet new members to screen the trolls, scammers, and bots.

It's just that my handful of posts suddenly popped up in the middle of threads where people had already made my point or answered adequately.
It was not my intention to step on anyone's toes or upstage anyone.

I hope to make positive contributions where I can while learning even more from all of you.

Thanks for being here!

 

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