What Would Happen If High Water Enveloped...

The high voltage system is protected by ground fault circuit interrupters. Even a tiny leakage current should open up all the relays, pretty fast. So shock and awe are supposed to be extremely unlikely.

If electrical shutdown, I doubt if you could drive any further on gas engine only (unsure). The gas engine would be subject to the same problems as any other car. Water entering through the transmission breather tube could do real damage later. A world of electrical connections problems are possible, down the road. The inverter coolant pump may not be waterproof, and you really really need that.

If at all possible, limit your water entry to below the door sills!

 

The high voltage system is protected by ground fault circuit interrupters. Even a tiny leakage current should open up all the relays, pretty fast. So shock and awe are supposed to be extremely unlikely.

If electrical shutdown, I doubt if you could drive any further on gas engine only (unsure). The gas engine would be subject to the same problems as any other car. Water entering through the transmission breather tube could do real damage later. A world of electrical connections problems are possible, down the road. The inverter coolant pump may not be waterproof, and you really really need that.

If at all possible, limit your water entry to below the door sills!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu @ Sep 12 2007, 01:38 AM) [snapback]511108[/snapback]</div>

You can't drive on gas only, although that's an academic point in this discussion, since the ICE would also be full of water.

Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu @ Sep 12 2007, 01:38 AM) [snapback]511108[/snapback]</div>

You can't drive on gas only, although that's an academic point in this discussion, since the ICE would also be full of water.

Tom

 

There is a big difference between a Prius and the power grid. If you drop a 220 V line into water, you can get steam explosions. There is essentially nothing to limit the current flow (though breakers somewhere will eventually trip).

In the case of the Prius, even if the ground fault breaker didn't work, there is very limited power available. You would probably get a little steam, and lots of damage to the electrical conductors, but no explosion. In my experience (sunken boats) most of the copper conductors disappear due to galvanic corrosion driven by the power. You end up with traceless PCBs and hollow insulation instead of wires. I've even seen leadless power transistors.

 

There is a big difference between a Prius and the power grid. If you drop a 220 V line into water, you can get steam explosions. There is essentially nothing to limit the current flow (though breakers somewhere will eventually trip).

In the case of the Prius, even if the ground fault breaker didn't work, there is very limited power available. You would probably get a little steam, and lots of damage to the electrical conductors, but no explosion. In my experience (sunken boats) most of the copper conductors disappear due to galvanic corrosion driven by the power. You end up with traceless PCBs and hollow insulation instead of wires. I've even seen leadless power transistors.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Sep 12 2007, 05:43 AM) [snapback]511179[/snapback]</div>

Just to add to what Tom said -

If the ICE were running when water is ingested by the intake, the motor would most likely hydrolock (try to compress water in the combustion chamber) and would bend important parts. You want to avoid this.

If the ICE was not running when the main relays opened (due to Ground Fault) then the ICE would not be able to start because MG1/MG2 would not have power.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Sep 12 2007, 05:43 AM) [snapback]511179[/snapback]</div>

Just to add to what Tom said -

If the ICE were running when water is ingested by the intake, the motor would most likely hydrolock (try to compress water in the combustion chamber) and would bend important parts. You want to avoid this.

If the ICE was not running when the main relays opened (due to Ground Fault) then the ICE would not be able to start because MG1/MG2 would not have power.

 

Actually, what nobody knows is that this is the secret behind Russia's "Dad of all bombs." All they did was put a Prius and a large tank of water in a rather large shell and then drop it from an old Tupelov bomber. **Poof** Largest non-nuclear conventional weapon.

As an aside, this also explains why GM was ordered by the Pentagon to crush all the EV1s. Can you imagine what would happen if you did the same thing with an all-electric? **Shudder**

 

Actually, what nobody knows is that this is the secret behind Russia's "Dad of all bombs." All they did was put a Prius and a large tank of water in a rather large shell and then drop it from an old Tupelov bomber. **Poof** Largest non-nuclear conventional weapon.

As an aside, this also explains why GM was ordered by the Pentagon to crush all the EV1s. Can you imagine what would happen if you did the same thing with an all-electric? **Shudder**

 

Not gonna happen.

It's a Toyota: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrk6vsb77xk

 

Not gonna happen.

It's a Toyota: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrk6vsb77xk

 

BTW, for a real world data point: Steve the Prius parts guy in IN had a flooded car from Katrina when I was there a few months back. He had taken the HV pack out to use as a demo tool, as it was heavily corroded and completely useless. From what I saw there was absolutely no evidence of any sort of discharge event. No burnt wires, no melted terminals, no smoking black craters. Seems like everything worked exactly the way it should, and nothing happened.

The car I saw was this one, you can see the amount of corrosion around the battery in one of the last pics:
http://www.autobeyours.com/04%20prius%20%20flood%20new.htm

Rob

 

BTW, for a real world data point: Steve the Prius parts guy in IN had a flooded car from Katrina when I was there a few months back. He had taken the HV pack out to use as a demo tool, as it was heavily corroded and completely useless. From what I saw there was absolutely no evidence of any sort of discharge event. No burnt wires, no melted terminals, no smoking black craters. Seems like everything worked exactly the way it should, and nothing happened.

The car I saw was this one, you can see the amount of corrosion around the battery in one of the last pics:
http://www.autobeyours.com/04%20prius%20%20flood%20new.htm

Rob

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brick @ Sep 12 2007, 03:22 PM) [snapback]511585[/snapback]</div>

ROTFL!!! You're ok, Brick. :lol:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Doc Willie @ Sep 13 2007, 11:32 AM) [snapback]512003[/snapback]</div>

"That'll buff out"
ROFLMAO!!!! :lol: