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EBH not as important in Gen 3?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by ph43drus, Mar 11, 2011.

  1. ph43drus

    ph43drus Junior Member

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    Getting ready to move from my Gen 2 to a new Gen 3. I'm surprised to not see much talk of using a block heater in the gen 3 Prius; it's very popular among gen 2 drivers, and can make a significant improvement in mileage (especially for short or medium length trips).

    I see that gen 3 has a system for heating the coolant with exhaust gas - does this happen quickly enough to render an EBH less useful?
     
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    It doesn't appear that those who have installed are getting a large benefit. I decided to forgo the unit seeing that there wasn't much advantage. For those that park outside in cold climates, I could see a real benefit just to reduce wear.
     
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  3. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    One thing to keep in mind is Gen III owners are a different breed than Gen II owners, now that Toyota has made the Prius much more mainstreamed.
     
  4. markderail

    markderail I do 45 mins @ 3200 PSI

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    I just bought my G3 less than a year ago, and waited to see what the winter performance was w/o the EBH, compared to before/after with the Gen2.

    My conclusion is that I WILL install the EBH. While winter performance is improved with the G3, there is still a big jump in MPG between summer & winter, when the winter temp is extremely cold.

    I want to do a clean install instead of a dangling cable, and have an internal plug going through the firewall for a 500w electric heater mounted inside the car to defrost from the inside.
    Or the wheel well with a back bumper install, then I still have to connect the EBH somehow.

    With my G2 I basically had two dangling wires. With the G3 I want a bumper plug with a quick disconnect (like if I drive away forgetting to unplug the wire).

    No wires, using induction, would be even better. However how to get 120vac @5amps with induction outdoor in all weather, that won't get destroyed by the contract snow removal company. He's already chewed up one of my extensions I forgot to hang properly.
     
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I got the Block Heater installed at purchase, and we use it pretty much without expection, for first start of the day. Typically run it for mininum 2 hours per start-up. Weekday use is made a lot easier with a programable timer.

    It gets the block temperature significantly higher, warm to the touch. We're in temperate climate, but use it thus year 'round.

    What "breed" does that make me? ;)
     
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