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Energy Bars

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by LYLUVLY, Aug 29, 2007.

  1. LYLUVLY

    LYLUVLY New Member

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    I am trying to ascertain as to what happens to the energy bars.
    This is in regards to the operation of the EV mode.
    When I come back home for the final time of the day, I may have anywhere from 3 to 10 energy bars on the MFD screen. The next time I start the Prius, there are no more energy bars. When this happens, I cannot operate the EV mode on the turn signal stalk. How do I compensate for this problem. ANYONE? help !!
    Here are supporting fotos of my questions:
    [attachmentid=11007][attachmentid=11008][attachmentid=11009][attachmentid=11010]

    I rarely get any more than 3 to 5 energy bars, unless its a long drive on the fwy. Is this normal?
    Thanks to anyone who can explain or help out, so that I can test out the EV mode, which requires 3 or more energy bars before its operational.
     

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  2. mgipe

    mgipe New Member

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    Those aren't energy bars. They show the five-minute average gas mileage values for the last thirty minutes since turning on the car. The little car icons within the bar do show energy, specifically the energy that was regenerated and returned to the battery by braking or coasting.

    Here's what happens: Turn on the car. The screen shows no bars. Drive for five minutes. The right-most bar shows the average gas mileage for those five minutes. Drive for another five minutes. The original bar moves one place to the left, and the right-most bar now shows the average gas mileage for the most recent five minutes. After thirty five minutes, the original bar drops off the left. If the car regenerates energy during the five minute interval, a car icon will show up for each 50 wh regenerated. This continues as you drive until you turn off the car. Starting the car again starts you over from the beginning with blank bars.

    These do not affect the ability to use EV mode. EV mode may be affected by the battery state-of-charge (SOC), which is shown on the other INFO screen. On this screeen, at right center, there is an SOC display which shows zero to eight horizontal bars in purple, blue, or green. I believe that one bar means approximately 40% charge, and eight bars means 80% charge. If the battery charge level is too low, EV mode should not be enabled.

    Note: edited to correct zero bar misinformation.
     
  3. Danny Hamilton

    Danny Hamilton Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mgipe @ Aug 29 2007, 05:30 PM) [snapback]503998[/snapback]</div>
    The posted photographs are of the "Consumption" screen.

    The other screen (the one with the battery "energy bars") is the "Energy" screen.

    To see the "Energy" screen, press that [ENERGY] button in the bottom left corner of the "Consumption" screen in the picture that is posted.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mgipe @ Aug 29 2007, 05:30 PM) [snapback]503998[/snapback]</div>
    I agree with the top end being 80%, I've heard that as well. However, I was of the impression that the low end was 40%. Am I mistaken?
     
  4. mgipe

    mgipe New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Danny Hamilton @ Aug 29 2007, 03:42 PM) [snapback]504005[/snapback]</div>

    You're probably right. I knew it didn't sound right when I wrote it! :huh:
     
  5. mgipe

    mgipe New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mgipe @ Aug 29 2007, 04:00 PM) [snapback]504012[/snapback]</div>
    Umm. Actually, 40% is ONE bar. I'm not really sure what zero bars means.
     
  6. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    The energy bars disappear because they're yummy, and the kids in the
    back like to eat them. That's why they have so much energy.
    .
    _H*
     
  7. LYLUVLY

    LYLUVLY New Member

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    I understand what you are talking of.
    I will send picture of the other screen next time.
    It still remains that I cannot innervate the EV mode, very often.
    Does that mean my soc has always been low? and thats why I cannot get into the EV mode?
    Thanks for explaining.
     
  8. treehggr

    treehggr New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Aug 29 2007, 04:16 PM) [snapback]504017[/snapback]</div>
    :lol: For some reason I found that extremely funny.
     
  9. LYLUVLY

    LYLUVLY New Member

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    here is a picture of the Energy screen. It looks like the soc is less than 50% and I just put in 20miles
    on the freeway. Should it not be fully charged?
    [attachmentid=11019]
     

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  10. D0li0

    D0li0 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LYLUVLY @ Aug 29 2007, 06:52 PM) [snapback]504088[/snapback]</div>
    See http://www.eaa-phev.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius_Battery_Specs for an explanation of the SOC% that the 8 battery bars represent. per http://www.eaa-phev.org/wiki/Image:KevinSOC.jpg It appears that 4 of 8 bars could have a value as low as 49% SOC which would not allow entry into EV-Mode. The Prius tends to like to keep the battery at about 60-65% (63% I think), which would be 6 of the 8 bars. It isn't "normal" for the two last green bars to be lit up unless you just finished regenning down a long hill... If the end of your drive includes an uphill climb to your house or perhaps a lot of low speed stealth mode then the SOC may be low when you park it. Using EV-Mode can lower the SOC to 45% (2/8 or 3/8 bars), and EV-Mode won't enguage unless it's above 50% (normally 4/8 bars). There are other things such as battery temperature which will disallow ev-mode entry. BTW, using the EV-Mode won't necessarily improve mileage, but is more prone to decrees mileage, and could shorten the lifespan of the battery if used to often and/or to liberally. Though it is still a handy feature if used properly for quick moves over short distances, to lower the SOC prior to a large regen opportunity, showing off to friends, etc...
     
  11. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    LYLUVLY,
    It would seem that you are working under the assumption that every time you drive the car, you are recharging the battery. This would be akin to plugging a rechargable battery into the wall; the longer it's plugged in the more it gets charged.

    Let me - and everyone else - assure you that this is not how the Prius works. The battery and the engine together to propel the car. Sometimes, more gasoline is used and less battery, sometimes more battery is used and less gasoline. But unlike the gasoline, your battery's SoC will go up and down because the charge can come and go (whereas gasoline just goes).

    Don't worry at all. There is nothing unusual about your Prius. As an example, let me tell you that during my 20-mile commute to work, my battery's SoC will fluctuate from 3 bars to 6 bars and all points in between, going up and coming down and going up and coming down multiple times.
     
  12. LYLUVLY

    LYLUVLY New Member

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    that's a good response to my inquiries. I am quite relieved now.
    Thanks to all who responded.