Anyone Used or Aware of the Toyota Prius Gen 2 and 3 - Hybrid Battery Rhino Monitor

Can't say I see the utility of full time monitoring of the hybrid battery pack. They claim it can detect issues before it codes but I find that difficult to believe.

I think realtime engine temperature readings have some value but only if there is an audible alarm at an early configurable temperature like 220f on a car that normally runs under 205f at all times and is usually 185f to 195f.

Given that is available for $30, a step up might be something that monitors both engine coolant temps and the inverter coolant temp. Perhaps monitor the battery temperature. Maybe add a water pump rpm commanded vs actual.

All with audible alarms so that years of no issues does not cause complacency or to avoid complete inattention when the wife or relative is driving the car.

 

I prefer the DrPrius free software that provides information on the hybrid battery and includes the three cell group temps (for $15 DrP can give hybrid overall performance and readings on its overall quality/'life'.); now one must also buy a dongle (some are rather inexpensive but good ones cost similar to that device). However, with the dongle, one can then access codes and far more through their phones using available software with such a device. I fully agree if this Rhino offered engine temp (like OBDLink does on one's phone) it would be more useful.

RJParker raises an excellent point that I never considered. That inverter water temp is something that, in my opinion, would really, really be needed for a Prius*. Alerting someone to inverter coolant pump degradation by seeing a steady increase in inverter water temp over time would be telling. Now that would be very useful device/information to prevent that ugly surprise - especially since that pump's failure is not uncommon.

*Guess at some point, I should look into adding an analog temp reading device into my car for the inverter coolant. Shouldn't be difficult - the issue is finding time/energy - far too many projects: everything from helping to restore the safely defueled NS Savannah (radiation levels in the reactor vessel are well below even outside background!) to rebuilding an outbuilding a tree decided to fall on and also, it managed to throw a limb through my bay window; another project that I now need to do.