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

energy regeneration

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by slmcdonald7, Oct 16, 2004.

?

Which is the better way to regenerate electricity

  1. Coasting for as long as possible, depressing nothing

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  2. Lightly depressing the brake pedal for as long as possible

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. slmcdonald7

    slmcdonald7 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2004
    3
    0
    0
    Hello all,

    Which method is better for regenerating electricity:

    1) maximize the amount of time you are neither depressing the accelerator nor the brake

    2) maximize the amount of time you are lightly depressing the brake pedal

    Is there a difference at all?

    Thanks,
    Stephen
     
    #1 slmcdonald7, Oct 16, 2004
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,192
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm sorry, but this is a very poorly worded question and almost completely unanswerable.

    Also, it suggest that regeneration of electricity is an objective in itself, which it should not be. It is a tool to avoid loss of energy in the form of heat.

    There is a point of maximal energy regeneration that can be obtained by depressing the brake pedal firmly...at that point it is possible to regenerate about 60 amps. In theory, if traveling from a set speed to a stop and slowing distance was no factor at all it would probably be best to glide (partially depressed gas pedal so no regen going on) to a point where you could begin and maintain 60 amp braking until you stopped (actually at 8mph no further regen occurs so it doesn't matter after that).

    Again, though, it's all pretty academic. The tiny difference in energy captured using any method of slowing will be negligible in overall mileage.
     
    #2 efusco, Oct 16, 2004
  3. slmcdonald7

    slmcdonald7 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2004
    3
    0
    0
    Oops,
    I left out 'nor the brake' on my first option.
    Guess that teaches me to write my posts in a hurry.

    Thanks.
     
    #3 slmcdonald7, Oct 16, 2004
  4. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2003
    2,940
    1,365
    67
    Location:
    Yokohama, JAPAN
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    #4 ken1784, Oct 20, 2004
  5. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2004
    3,799
    26
    0
    Location:
    Tampa Bay, FL
    I voted based on exactly how the question was asked: max recouped energy, which Attila has discovered a braking force yielding a deceleration from 45 to 5MPH in 22 seconds.

    However, I suspect the question was intended to ask, which is more economical, in which case coasting as long as possible, with the hopes of not having to stop at all.

    If you must stop, recoup as much energy as you can. But if you feel you can avoid a full stop, coast as much as you can.
     
    #5 DanMan32, Oct 26, 2005
  6. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2004
    3,790
    152
    0
    Location:
    Park View, Los Angeles, CA. U.S.A
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    long hills.. coasting.. or B ( if you need the help controlling your speed)... but normal stoplights.. then i use long breaking... sometimes 1 or 2 bars can be regained.
     
    #6 V8Cobrakid, Feb 26, 2006
  7. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2005
    4,089
    468
    0
    Location:
    Bahstahn
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The key is to not brake hard enough to bring in the physical
    wheel brakes. 45 --> 5 in 22 seconds *is* pretty gentle. Overdoing
    it also sends more current through cables and inverter parts and
    the battery, leading to more ohmic heating. Minor difference, but
    we are talking fine points here...
    .
    _H*
     
    #7 hobbit, Feb 26, 2006
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)