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Modify PiP to add range

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by pip2012, Aug 24, 2012.

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  1. pip2012

    pip2012 Junior Member

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    Has anyone looked into what it would take to add more battery capacity to the 2012 PiP?

    I have the base model and I can get between 11 and 13 miles EV range depending upon whether it it slight uphill or slight downhill. If I could get 18 to 20 EV range, then I could actually do a round trip from home to work without charging at work. (Charging at work is another nightmare because there are 2 chargers but something like 30-40 EV automobiles.)

    Soooo, what if I could add something like 1.5KWh battery capacity to the small verically oriented storage compartment in the back of the trunk? What kind of BMS would be needed to join this capacity to the existing capacity? Or, would it be possible the Toyota BMS already would understand more capacity and would 'just' charge it and use it if it were in parallel? (I doubt this becuase it likely would need careful charge leveling and other strange stuff to make the batteries last.)

    Have any CalCars or others looked at a this kind of modification for the PiP?

    What would you think something like this might cost?

    FYI, right now, I'm at about 3300 miles on my PiP and of that about 2600 is EV only. So, I'm at something over 300mpg on it. But, it's difficult and takes effort to make sure I charge a lot. And, I put in a level 2 charger at home to charge more quickly so I can come and go 'quickly' and still charge sufficiently. (which brings me to my other issue: While the regen charge can charge with large currents, the level1 or level2 charging only draws 12A, which implies Toyota 'skimped' on the inverter for 120V/240V. I suspect the regen current is large because it's simply using the motor in reverse, and the motor has to be fed large currents from the battery so it can regen large currents toward the battery....)
     
    #1 pip2012, Aug 24, 2012
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i believe this would be a hugely popular mod for pip owners. even tho i get 17 miles ev on my commute, i think 20-30 would be a very worthwhile addition if it could be done for one or two thousand. i don't quite understand some of the technical difficulties you mention tho. why can't you just connect a non pip battery from a gen III to the pip for another mile or two?
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 24, 2012
  3. ryogajyc

    ryogajyc Active Member

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    At least for 120V, I don't think they skimped. I read that 12A is the derated amperage for a extended period continuous draw on a 15A circuit.
     
    #3 ryogajyc, Aug 25, 2012
  4. Flaninacupboard

    Flaninacupboard Senior Member

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    #4 Flaninacupboard, Aug 25, 2012
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    their reputation scares me. i'm looking for something simple and foolproof. (because this fool would definately mess it up.):)
     
    #5 bisco, Aug 25, 2012
  6. Flaninacupboard

    Flaninacupboard Senior Member

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    Their product has been through a lot of iterations, it's now on version 6, and should now be totally plug and play. (well, install and play, anyhow.)
     
    #6 Flaninacupboard, Aug 25, 2012
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i'll take your word for it, but i'm only brave enough to be a first user of official toyota factory tech.
    HOV access in the state of GEORGE. hmmm...:D
     
    #7 bisco, Aug 25, 2012
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    btw, i don't see the pip add on kit?
     
    #8 bisco, Aug 25, 2012
  9. Flaninacupboard

    Flaninacupboard Senior Member

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    The same kit works in all vehicles, just the mountig bracket is different, and the voltage of the DC-DC convertr is set to a different level. It'ss possible they don't mention PiP specifically because as I say there hasn't been one done yet, but the kit will work just fine.
     
    #9 Flaninacupboard, Aug 25, 2012
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You can always try hypermiling. I bet you could get close to 18 miles if you did. :)
     
    #10 F8L, Aug 25, 2012
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i bet YOU could get 18 miles and i'm throwing down the gauntlet.;)
     
    #11 bisco, Aug 25, 2012
    F8L and priuskitty like this.
  12. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Yes, 12A is the maximum load that electric codes allow on a 15A circuit and breaker. Anything between 12A and 16A requires a 20A circuit and breaker, which is very common but not universal.

    Beyond that, nearly all buyers would need a special new circuit added before recharging at home.
     
    #12 fuzzy1, Aug 25, 2012
  13. bielinsk

    bielinsk Gremlin

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    It is near impossible to hyper in a pip, you have to shift to neutral as then breaking kicks in right away if left in five and you take foot off the gas.
     
    #13 bielinsk, Aug 25, 2012
  14. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You cannot glide in a PIP?
     
    #14 F8L, Aug 25, 2012
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes, same as non pip. some people don't understand glide vs regen and the rest of us have difficulty finding the sweet spot.:)
     
    #15 bisco, Aug 26, 2012
    F8L likes this.
  16. simply_me

    simply_me New Member

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    I would wait 'till Enginer test their firsts PiP and them some....
     
    #16 simply_me, Aug 26, 2012
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    by the time engineer has some reliable units on the road, toyota will probably have the next gen available.:cool:
     
    #17 bisco, Aug 26, 2012
  18. Flaninacupboard

    Flaninacupboard Senior Member

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    bisco, you don't hear from the people with trouble free systems. Mine still works fine, although it is not installed in a car at the moment.
     
    #18 Flaninacupboard, Aug 26, 2012
  19. ukr2

    ukr2 Senior Member

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    Flan...,
    Why have you removed the add-on battery from your 2010 Prius?
    How much did it cost? What does it weigh?
    Did you have to modify any other hardware or software?
    Please post a photo of your Engineer Battery out of the car and how you install it.

    I would like a battery that I can use for my daily routine commute, yet remove it on long distance trips where I'd be only using HV.


    Thanks,
     
    #19 ukr2, Aug 26, 2012
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you're right about that, we only read of the problems. what % would you estimate are trouble free from day one?
     
    #20 bisco, Aug 26, 2012
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