1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Add an additional 8Kw battery to double the range

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Banstro, Oct 25, 2017.

  1. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2009
    2,945
    2,735
    0
    Location:
    OK
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I have used it on a few of those occasions but I generally don't even though it uses little power. I should have mentioned above that I use the keyfob pre-heat while still plugged in inside my garage before I leave to keep the cold out until the ICE comes on. At 40-45 mph, that pre-heat lasts a long time.
     
  2. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I forgot about preheat. I bought a heated seat pad for my Gen 4 that I use when it gets really cold.
     
    HPrimeAdvanced likes this.
  3. Oniki

    Oniki Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2017
    652
    499
    0
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    OP: Can you work more instead of drive if you move closer to work ?
    The other thing you should include in the calcs is the wear & tear on your car. Even a low cost Prime is about 10 cents a mile. So every work day:

    $20 in wear & tear
    $13 in fuel
    Opportunity cost of 3 hours of your time

    Taking on an expensive battery kludge is not where the money lies.
     
    #63 Oniki, Feb 3, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2018
    Trollbait likes this.
  4. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    21,712
    11,314
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    First off, I wouldn't worry too much about getting the best fuel efficiency on a new car. The rolling resistance of new tires is worse, and it will take a few thousand miles to break them in.

    The EPA made some changes to the testing procedures for 2016 that results in even more conservative window sticker numbers. Matching or beating them should be easier than in cars you've had in the past.
     
    #64 Trollbait, Feb 5, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2018
    RuthlessTactics and Prodigyplace like this.
  5. Banstro

    Banstro Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2017
    10
    13
    0
    Location:
    PA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Its easier said than done. I am happy to have a job in this day and age. If I could relocate, I would. 100 mile commute each way is my only present option. Not that I am not looking for closer work locations, its not easy to find anything stable these days. With kids and mortgage, I am trying to make the best of what I can. :)
     
    Wuzki and bisco like this.
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    thanks for updating!(y)
    how's it coming along, any progress?
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    turns out the prime battery is closer to 10k. better to buy a prime plus w/ northeast discounts, take the tax deductions, keep the battery and part the rest out. could be a money making venture.
     
    jerrymildred and Wuzki like this.
  8. Wuzki

    Wuzki Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2017
    101
    34
    1
    Location:
    los angeles
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    10k not worth it + labor and time! It’s wasted of money and time to mod, just go get a Tesla!
     
  9. Since2002

    Since2002 Senior Lurker

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2011
    936
    1,097
    0
    Location:
    Duluth, GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Talk about easier said than done, assuming that you are talking about Model 3. If he ordered one today he would be looking at delivery in 2020.
     
    #69 Since2002, Mar 19, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2018
  10. Wuzki

    Wuzki Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2017
    101
    34
    1
    Location:
    los angeles
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium

    Yeah, he was saying 10k a battery pack. 30k+10k+time+labor= 45k? With that price isn’t it be better to get a Tesla or a full EV?
     
  11. Since2002

    Since2002 Senior Lurker

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2011
    936
    1,097
    0
    Location:
    Duluth, GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I agree that modifying a Prime isn't cost effective, but a BEV may not be the answer for their situation either. With a daily commute of 200 miles the OP would need a fairly expensive vehicle. They said they can charge at work but if it's only Level 1 that will only make a relatively minor contribution to the range. A Tesla Model 3 with standard battery, the $35,000 version that everyone talks about, hasn't even started production yet, that won't start until late 2018 (unless it slips once again) and of course there are already a lot of people with reservations already who will get it first when it does become available. But even that version of Model 3 only has 220 mile range which would be cutting it close during winter in PA when it will likely get much less than that. And all of this assumes that the OP doesn't plan to make any long trips with the car, which could be another reason why a PHEV is a better fit.
     
  12. Wuzki

    Wuzki Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2017
    101
    34
    1
    Location:
    los angeles
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    Sorry, It’s a not a convincing reason to mod 8kw battery.
     
  13. Since2002

    Since2002 Senior Lurker

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2011
    936
    1,097
    0
    Location:
    Duluth, GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Who are you replying to? If it's me I already said I agree it's not cost effective.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    depends on the price of petrol and electrons.
     
    bwilson4web likes this.
  15. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,123
    15,389
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    End of lease, BMW i3-REx. Problem solved, next?

    Bob Wilson
     
  16. GregersonIT

    GregersonIT Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2019
    172
    91
    0
    Location:
    Livermore
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    LE
    Reviving an old conversation. Could be possible to do this with Tesla battery Packs. The measurement is about right and should be less complicated.
     
  17. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    21,712
    11,314
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Tesla packs are assembled to work with liquid cooling.
     
  18. GregersonIT

    GregersonIT Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2019
    172
    91
    0
    Location:
    Livermore
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    LE
    They do work with liquid cooling, but in a double or triple configuration, they wouldn't have the thermal runaway issue just because the draw or charge would never equate enough heat to have problems. Also, installing a thermal system wouldn't be difficult as you could use one designed for a computer case on them.
     
    Boomer 2298 and GG707 like this.
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    will be watching the progress...
     
    Boomer 2298 likes this.
  20. LEARNER

    LEARNER Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2012
    85
    19
    0
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    That's Crazy Talk! but just might work...... :|