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Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids like the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure electric over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the Prius' all electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this correct? |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"Gordon McGrew" <RgEmMcOgVrEew@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:n5q7t2dpf42gmp0vu71qipj66k6p4tbt0i@4ax.com... > > I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up > before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the > difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids > like the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure > electric over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the > Prius' all electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this > correct? I believe that the Prius could theoretically start up and mildly accelerate with the battery powered electric motor alone (assuming it was charged) but there would not be enough horsepower in the electric motor alone to satisfy people (and it might not be safe to accelerate so slowly in high traffic situations). If not accelerating, then the electric motor can sometimes do it alone. |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"Gordon McGrew" <RgEmMcOgVrEew@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:n5q7t2dpf42gmp0vu71qipj66k6p4tbt0i@4ax.com... > > I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up > before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the > difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids > like the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure > electric over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the > Prius' all electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this > correct? I believe that the Prius could theoretically start up and mildly accelerate with the battery powered electric motor alone (assuming it was charged) but there would not be enough horsepower in the electric motor alone to satisfy people (and it might not be safe to accelerate so slowly in high traffic situations). If not accelerating, then the electric motor can sometimes do it alone. |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"Gordon McGrew" <RgEmMcOgVrEew@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:n5q7t2dpf42gmp0vu71qipj66k6p4tbt0i@4ax.com... > > I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up > before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the > difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids > like the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure > electric over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the > Prius' all electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this > correct? I believe that the Prius could theoretically start up and mildly accelerate with the battery powered electric motor alone (assuming it was charged) but there would not be enough horsepower in the electric motor alone to satisfy people (and it might not be safe to accelerate so slowly in high traffic situations). If not accelerating, then the electric motor can sometimes do it alone. |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:20:58 -0700, Mark A wrote:
> "Gordon McGrew" <RgEmMcOgVrEew@mindspring.com> wrote in message > news:n5q7t2dpf42gmp0vu71qipj66k6p4tbt0i@4ax.com... >> >> I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up >> before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the >> difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids like >> the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure electric >> over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the Prius' all >> electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this correct? > > I believe that the Prius could theoretically start up and mildly > accelerate with the battery powered electric motor alone (assuming it was > charged) but there would not be enough horsepower in the electric motor > alone to satisfy people (and it might not be safe to accelerate so slowly > in high traffic situations). If not accelerating, then the electric motor > can sometimes do it alone. The electric motor has plenty of juice to run the car. There are a LOT of other factors here...was the heat on? Air Conditioning? lights? Also, the US models are set up differently from the models used in the rest of the world...they run on gas more often in North America. This can be changed by hacking the ECU (and voiding the warranty...) Also, was the car fully charged? If not, the engine turn on to run the generator, while the electric motor provides the locomotion. The display will show you what's happening... |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:20:58 -0700, Mark A wrote:
> "Gordon McGrew" <RgEmMcOgVrEew@mindspring.com> wrote in message > news:n5q7t2dpf42gmp0vu71qipj66k6p4tbt0i@4ax.com... >> >> I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up >> before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the >> difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids like >> the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure electric >> over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the Prius' all >> electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this correct? > > I believe that the Prius could theoretically start up and mildly > accelerate with the battery powered electric motor alone (assuming it was > charged) but there would not be enough horsepower in the electric motor > alone to satisfy people (and it might not be safe to accelerate so slowly > in high traffic situations). If not accelerating, then the electric motor > can sometimes do it alone. The electric motor has plenty of juice to run the car. There are a LOT of other factors here...was the heat on? Air Conditioning? lights? Also, the US models are set up differently from the models used in the rest of the world...they run on gas more often in North America. This can be changed by hacking the ECU (and voiding the warranty...) Also, was the car fully charged? If not, the engine turn on to run the generator, while the electric motor provides the locomotion. The display will show you what's happening... |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:20:58 -0700, Mark A wrote:
> "Gordon McGrew" <RgEmMcOgVrEew@mindspring.com> wrote in message > news:n5q7t2dpf42gmp0vu71qipj66k6p4tbt0i@4ax.com... >> >> I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up >> before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the >> difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids like >> the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure electric >> over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the Prius' all >> electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this correct? > > I believe that the Prius could theoretically start up and mildly > accelerate with the battery powered electric motor alone (assuming it was > charged) but there would not be enough horsepower in the electric motor > alone to satisfy people (and it might not be safe to accelerate so slowly > in high traffic situations). If not accelerating, then the electric motor > can sometimes do it alone. The electric motor has plenty of juice to run the car. There are a LOT of other factors here...was the heat on? Air Conditioning? lights? Also, the US models are set up differently from the models used in the rest of the world...they run on gas more often in North America. This can be changed by hacking the ECU (and voiding the warranty...) Also, was the car fully charged? If not, the engine turn on to run the generator, while the electric motor provides the locomotion. The display will show you what's happening... |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"Gordon McGrew" <RgEmMcOgVrEew@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:n5q7t2dpf42gmp0vu71qipj66k6p4tbt0i@4ax.com... > > I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up > before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the > difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids > like the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure > electric over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the > Prius' all electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this > correct? You can find more expertise at alt.autos.toyota.prius. They will also want to know what year, since there are significant differences between the Classic (2001-2003) and the second generation (2004+). Ours are both Classics (2002), so I'll go from that perspective. As the others indicate, there are a lot of variables. Cold weather makes it much more prone to run the engine in order to produce heat, which passengers seem to enjoy :-) The state of hybrid battery charge will affect it, too, including the entirely counter-intuitive behavior of restarting the engine periodically to bleed off extra charge if the state of charge is high. Cold weather, particularly as the temperature drops below freezing, will take the edge off fuel efficiency. I'm barely managing 30 mpg with mainly 3 mile trips in subfreezing weather right now, but when the weather warms up it will go back into the mid-40s. OTOH, what other car would provide 30 mpg under those conditions? Mostly, the hybrid system knows what to do. There have been reports of misbehavior - especially shuddering when the engine shuts down - that have been corrected by disconnecting the 12 volt "aux" battery for a few minutes. Maybe the car should have ctrl-alt-del keys ;-) Mike |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"Hachiroku wrote
> On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:20:58 -0700, Mark A wrote: >> "Gordon McGrew" wrote >>> >>> I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up >>> before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the >>> difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids >>> like >>> the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure electric >>> over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the Prius' all >>> electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this correct? >> >> I believe that the Prius could theoretically start up and mildly >> accelerate with the battery powered electric motor alone (assuming it >> was >> charged) but there would not be enough horsepower in the electric motor >> alone to satisfy people (and it might not be safe to accelerate so >> slowly >> in high traffic situations). If not accelerating, then the electric >> motor >> can sometimes do it alone. > > The electric motor has plenty of juice to run the car. There are a LOT > of > other factors here...was the heat on? Air Conditioning? lights? Also, > the > US models are set up differently from the models used in the rest of the > world...they run on gas more often in North America. This can be changed > by hacking the ECU (and voiding the warranty...) > > Also, was the car fully charged? If not, the engine turn on to run the > generator, while the electric motor provides the locomotion. The display > will show you what's happening... > I have and drive a Prius. It is just how it is set up. My Prius will start up in electric when the battery is charged enough and accelerate up to maybe 40 or so on electric alone - but it is painstakingly slow. One cannot do this in traffic, thus the need to press down a bit harder and engage the gas engine. I too would very much like for this car to rely on the electric much more than it does now. Tomes |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
In article <n5q7t2dpf42gmp0vu71qipj66k6p4tbt0i@4ax.com>
RgEmMcOgVrEew@mindspring.com "Gordon McGrew" writes: > I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up > before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the > difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids > like the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure > electric over a modest range of conditions. The point where the petrol engine fires up depends on a mixture of road speed and load being imposed. "Racing starts" are sure to get it going at low speeds, in the Mk2 UK "T4" at least. If just moving away gently from traffic lights (not a common thing in the US has been my impression <g>), here in the UK I tend to hit 10mph or so before the petrol engine joins the party. > It would seem that the Prius' all electric performance is very > modest indeed. Is this correct? Google for recent (Jan 2007) posts by me under the Subject 'More on Prius "EV" mode'. Being all-electric is not the point of the Prius. Being efficient in its use of fuel is. Huge difference. -- Andrew Stephenson |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"Gordon McGrew" <RgEmMcOgVrEew@mindspring.com> wrote in message news:n5q7t2dpf42gmp0vu71qipj66k6p4tbt0i@4ax.com... > > I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up > before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the > difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids > like the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure > electric over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the > Prius' all electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this > correct? --- Incorrect. The earlier hybrid Civics were mild hybrids meaning the electric motor could only assist the gasoline engine but could not perform independently. Today's hybrid Civics are now *full* hybrids. |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"Tomes" <askme@here.net> wrote in
news:jWYAh.2397$tD2.642@newsread1.news.pas.earthli nk.net: > "Hachiroku wrote >> On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:20:58 -0700, Mark A wrote: >>> "Gordon McGrew" wrote >>>> >>>> I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started >>>> up before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the >>>> difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids >>>> like >>>> the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure >>>> electric over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the >>>> Prius' all electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this >>>> correct? >>> >>> I believe that the Prius could theoretically start up and mildly >>> accelerate with the battery powered electric motor alone (assuming >>> it was >>> charged) but there would not be enough horsepower in the electric >>> motor alone to satisfy people (and it might not be safe to >>> accelerate so slowly >>> in high traffic situations). If not accelerating, then the electric >>> motor >>> can sometimes do it alone. >> >> The electric motor has plenty of juice to run the car. There are a >> LOT of >> other factors here...was the heat on? Air Conditioning? lights? Also, >> the >> US models are set up differently from the models used in the rest of >> the world...they run on gas more often in North America. This can be >> changed by hacking the ECU (and voiding the warranty...) >> >> Also, was the car fully charged? If not, the engine turn on to run >> the generator, while the electric motor provides the locomotion. The >> display will show you what's happening... >> > I have and drive a Prius. It is just how it is set up. My Prius will > start up in electric when the battery is charged enough and accelerate > up to maybe 40 or so on electric alone - but it is painstakingly slow. > One cannot do this in traffic, thus the need to press down a bit > harder and engage the gas engine. I too would very much like for this > car to rely on the electric much more than it does now. > Tomes > > > I've heard of Prius people adding another battery pack(in addition to the stock one) and 120VAC charger to get better use on the electric side,and reduce gas usage.Then you can plug it in at night or when you have access to an outlet. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at kua.net |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
In alt.autos.toyota Gordon McGrew <RgEmMcOgVrEew@mindspring.com> wrote:
> > I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up > before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the > difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids > like the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure > electric over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the > Prius' all electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this > correct? Yes, except Honda update as another poster noted. An after-market switch is available to make the current Prius operate entirely on electric motors, like a Euro model. After Andrew's test I thought it would not be worthwhile, but I'm having second thoughts. Steven Scharf (SMS) posted this URL describing how: http://www.calcars.org/prius-evbutton-install.pdf |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
In article <45d4c58c@news.meer.net> ccreekin@yahoo.com "Bill Tuthill" writes:
> An after-market switch is available to make the current Prius operate > entirely on electric motors, like a Euro model. After Andrew's test > I thought it would not be worthwhile, but I'm having second thoughts. > Steven Scharf (SMS) posted this URL describing how: > > http://www.calcars.org/prius-evbutton-install.pdf ISTR more perspectives on this can be had by browsing around the website priuschat.com -- mostly by folks who wanted to do it and are mentioning odd details. In a UK Euro-Prius, the "EV" button occupies the right-hand position of two switch holes to the left of the steering column. If similar spaces exist in USian models that would seem a good place to put the control. OTOH, a couple of postings mentioned re-using controls on the steering wheel. -- Andrew Stephenson |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
A good example of all electric performance that goes well beyond *very
modest* is when a Prius is *instructed* to back up an incline such as a steep driveway. Mine has yet to revert back to engine power when the accelerator is *pedal to the metal*. "Bill Tuthill" <ccreekin@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:45d4c58c@news.meer.net... > In alt.autos.toyota Gordon McGrew <RgEmMcOgVrEew@mindspring.com> wrote: >> >> I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up >> before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the >> difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids >> like the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure >> electric over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the >> Prius' all electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this >> correct? > > Yes, except Honda update as another poster noted. > > An after-market switch is available to make the current Prius operate > entirely on electric motors, like a Euro model. After Andrew's test > I thought it would not be worthwhile, but I'm having second thoughts. > Steven Scharf (SMS) posted this URL describing how: > > http://www.calcars.org/prius-evbutton-install.pdf > |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
On Thu, 15 Feb 2007 13:07:27 GMT, "Tomes" <askme@here.net> wrote:
>"Hachiroku wrote >> On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:20:58 -0700, Mark A wrote: >>> "Gordon McGrew" wrote >>>> >>>> I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up >>>> before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the >>>> difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids >>>> like >>>> the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure electric >>>> over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the Prius' all >>>> electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this correct? >>> >>> I believe that the Prius could theoretically start up and mildly >>> accelerate with the battery powered electric motor alone (assuming it >>> was >>> charged) but there would not be enough horsepower in the electric motor >>> alone to satisfy people (and it might not be safe to accelerate so >>> slowly >>> in high traffic situations). If not accelerating, then the electric >>> motor >>> can sometimes do it alone. >> >> The electric motor has plenty of juice to run the car. There are a LOT >> of >> other factors here...was the heat on? Air Conditioning? lights? Also, >> the >> US models are set up differently from the models used in the rest of the >> world...they run on gas more often in North America. This can be changed >> by hacking the ECU (and voiding the warranty...) >> >> Also, was the car fully charged? If not, the engine turn on to run the >> generator, while the electric motor provides the locomotion. The display >> will show you what's happening... >> >I have and drive a Prius. It is just how it is set up. My Prius will >start up in electric when the battery is charged enough and accelerate up >to maybe 40 or so on electric alone - but it is painstakingly slow. One >cannot do this in traffic, thus the need to press down a bit harder and >engage the gas engine. I too would very much like for this car to rely on >the electric much more than it does now. >Tomes > Thanks for the thoughtful comments. I am really just curious about the state of the technology. Not really interested in purchasing any current hybrid but I would consider it if the right one existed. Electric performance is not an issue in this regard - like I said, I am just curious. More info on the experience I opened the thread with: The OAT was about 30F/0C. The engine should have been up to temp at this point. Lights were on and there were three people in the car. I don't know the state of the battery but he generally drives like an old man. Also, the car is a new model, about 2 years old with 7000(!) miles on it. He mostly drives it to the train station and back. He indicated that it almost never ran on electric alone and showed me this by gently accelerating from an electric creep. As best I could tell, the schematic showed power coming from the engine the moment his foot hit the gas. |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
On Thu, 15 Feb 2007 13:07:27 +0000, Tomes wrote:
> "Hachiroku wrote >> On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:20:58 -0700, Mark A wrote: >>> "Gordon McGrew" wrote >>>> >>>> I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up >>>> before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the >>>> difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids >>>> like >>>> the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure electric >>>> over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the Prius' all >>>> electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this correct? >>> >>> I believe that the Prius could theoretically start up and mildly >>> accelerate with the battery powered electric motor alone (assuming it >>> was >>> charged) but there would not be enough horsepower in the electric motor >>> alone to satisfy people (and it might not be safe to accelerate so >>> slowly >>> in high traffic situations). If not accelerating, then the electric >>> motor >>> can sometimes do it alone. >> >> The electric motor has plenty of juice to run the car. There are a LOT >> of >> other factors here...was the heat on? Air Conditioning? lights? Also, >> the >> US models are set up differently from the models used in the rest of the >> world...they run on gas more often in North America. This can be changed >> by hacking the ECU (and voiding the warranty...) >> >> Also, was the car fully charged? If not, the engine turn on to run the >> generator, while the electric motor provides the locomotion. The display >> will show you what's happening... >> > I have and drive a Prius. It is just how it is set up. My Prius will > start up in electric when the battery is charged enough and accelerate up > to maybe 40 or so on electric alone - but it is painstakingly slow. One > cannot do this in traffic, thus the need to press down a bit harder and > engage the gas engine. I too would very much like for this car to rely on > the electric much more than it does now. Tomes There was a Web site a couple years ago where a guy who is an Electrical Engineer hacked into the ECU via the ODBII connector, changed the mode, and then wrote a program in order to control the ECU from the interior Real Time with a Toshiba Libretto. |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
On Thu, 15 Feb 2007 18:34:51 -0600, Gordon McGrew wrote:
> On Thu, 15 Feb 2007 13:07:27 GMT, "Tomes" <askme@here.net> wrote: > >>"Hachiroku wrote >>> On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:20:58 -0700, Mark A wrote: >>>> "Gordon McGrew" wrote >>>>> >>>>> I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started >>>>> up before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the >>>>> difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids >>>>> like >>>>> the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure electric >>>>> over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the Prius' all >>>>> electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this correct? >>>> >>>> I believe that the Prius could theoretically start up and mildly >>>> accelerate with the battery powered electric motor alone (assuming it >>>> was >>>> charged) but there would not be enough horsepower in the electric >>>> motor alone to satisfy people (and it might not be safe to accelerate >>>> so slowly >>>> in high traffic situations). If not accelerating, then the electric >>>> motor >>>> can sometimes do it alone. >>> >>> The electric motor has plenty of juice to run the car. There are a LOT >>> of >>> other factors here...was the heat on? Air Conditioning? lights? Also, >>> the >>> US models are set up differently from the models used in the rest of >>> the world...they run on gas more often in North America. This can be >>> changed by hacking the ECU (and voiding the warranty...) >>> >>> Also, was the car fully charged? If not, the engine turn on to run the >>> generator, while the electric motor provides the locomotion. The >>> display will show you what's happening... >>> >>I have and drive a Prius. It is just how it is set up. My Prius will >>start up in electric when the battery is charged enough and accelerate up >>to maybe 40 or so on electric alone - but it is painstakingly slow. One >>cannot do this in traffic, thus the need to press down a bit harder and >>engage the gas engine. I too would very much like for this car to rely >>on the electric much more than it does now. Tomes >> >> > Thanks for the thoughtful comments. I am really just curious about the > state of the technology. Not really interested in purchasing any current > hybrid but I would consider it if the right one existed. Electric > performance is not an issue in this regard - like I said, I am just > curious. > > More info on the experience I opened the thread with: > > The OAT was about 30F/0C. The engine should have been up to temp at this > point. Lights were on and there were three people in the car. I don't > know the state of the battery but he generally drives like an old man. > Also, the car is a new model, about 2 years old with 7000(!) miles on it. > He mostly drives it to the train station and back. He indicated that it > almost never ran on electric alone and showed me this by gently > accelerating from an electric creep. As best I could tell, the schematic > showed power coming from the engine the moment his foot hit the gas. Hmmm...I drove a 'classic' for about a week (1999...hey, how'd he do that when the 'first' year was 2000?) and got to where I could control the gas engine with my left foot. Sad thing was, I got better economy for my type of driving with my '95 Tercel Automatic! |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
On Thu, 15 Feb 2007 05:50:19 -0700, "Michael Pardee"
<michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote: >"Gordon McGrew" <RgEmMcOgVrEew@mindspring.com> wrote in message >news:n5q7t2dpf42gmp0vu71qipj66k6p4tbt0i@4ax.com.. . >> >> I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up >> before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the >> difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids >> like the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure >> electric over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the >> Prius' all electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this >> correct? > >You can find more expertise at alt.autos.toyota.prius. They will also want >to know what year, since there are significant differences between the >Classic (2001-2003) and the second generation (2004+). Ours are both >Classics (2002), so I'll go from that perspective. > >As the others indicate, there are a lot of variables. Cold weather makes it >much more prone to run the engine in order to produce heat, which passengers >seem to enjoy :-) The state of hybrid battery charge will affect it, too, >including the entirely counter-intuitive behavior of restarting the engine >periodically to bleed off extra charge if the state of charge is high. > >Cold weather, particularly as the temperature drops below freezing, will >take the edge off fuel efficiency. I'm barely managing 30 mpg with mainly 3 >mile trips in subfreezing weather right now, but when the weather warms up >it will go back into the mid-40s. OTOH, what other car would provide 30 mpg >under those conditions? In cold weather get 30mpg ? uh, the corolla will easily do that. > >Mostly, the hybrid system knows what to do. There have been reports of >misbehavior - especially shuddering when the engine shuts down - that have >been corrected by disconnecting the 12 volt "aux" battery for a few minutes. >Maybe the car should have ctrl-alt-del keys ;-) > >Mike > |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
I just got a prius and am a bit disappointed that it doesn't spend more time
in electric only mode. My question is for those who have modified the car to spend more time in electric mode: did you get better mileage? -thanks -ralph "Bill Tuthill" <ccreekin@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:45d4c58c@news.meer.net... > In alt.autos.toyota Gordon McGrew <RgEmMcOgVrEew@mindspring.com> wrote: > > > > I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up > > before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the > > difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids > > like the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure > > electric over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the > > Prius' all electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this > > correct? > > Yes, except Honda update as another poster noted. > > An after-market switch is available to make the current Prius operate > entirely on electric motors, like a Euro model. After Andrew's test > I thought it would not be worthwhile, but I'm having second thoughts. > Steven Scharf (SMS) posted this URL describing how: > > http://www.calcars.org/prius-evbutton-install.pdf > |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"R PRINCETON" <rlanni@access4less.net> wrote in message news:occBh.2676$Jl.1463@newsread3.news.pas.earthli nk.net... >I just got a prius and am a bit disappointed that it doesn't spend more >time > in electric only mode. > > My question is for those who have modified the car to spend more time in > electric mode: did you get better mileage? > > -thanks > > -ralph > The hybrid controller for the Prius is designed to keep the battery between 45% and 75% charged to prolong the life of the battery, so a modification that lets the battery get below 45% charge may shorten the battery pack's life. Adding additional batteries would theoretically allow the vehicle to spend more time in electric mode but then the engine would have to spend more time running to re-charge the battery. -- Ray O (correct punctuation to reply) > > "Bill Tuthill" <ccreekin@yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:45d4c58c@news.meer.net... >> In alt.autos.toyota Gordon McGrew <RgEmMcOgVrEew@mindspring.com> wrote: >> > >> > I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started up >> > before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the >> > difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids >> > like the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure >> > electric over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the >> > Prius' all electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this >> > correct? >> >> Yes, except Honda update as another poster noted. >> >> An after-market switch is available to make the current Prius operate >> entirely on electric motors, like a Euro model. After Andrew's test >> I thought it would not be worthwhile, but I'm having second thoughts. >> Steven Scharf (SMS) posted this URL describing how: >> >> http://www.calcars.org/prius-evbutton-install.pdf >> > > |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message news:b3378$45d55607$47c2b532$29156@msgid.meganewss ervers.com... > > "R PRINCETON" <rlanni@access4less.net> wrote in message > news:occBh.2676$Jl.1463@newsread3.news.pas.earthli nk.net... >>I just got a prius and am a bit disappointed that it doesn't spend more >>time >> in electric only mode. >> >> My question is for those who have modified the car to spend more time in >> electric mode: did you get better mileage? >> >> -thanks >> >> -ralph >> > > The hybrid controller for the Prius is designed to keep the battery > between 45% and 75% charged to prolong the life of the battery, so a > modification that lets the battery get below 45% charge may shorten the > battery pack's life. > > Adding additional batteries would theoretically allow the vehicle to spend > more time in electric mode but then the engine would have to spend more > time running to re-charge the battery. > > > -- > > Ray O > (correct punctuation to reply) Unless the excess of the engine and regenerative braking were underutilized to begin with. |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
In article <R_8Bh.4611$7s2.2405@trndny07>
Trueno@AE86.gts "=?iso-2022-jp?q?Hachiroku_=1B$B%O%A%m%=2F=1B=28B?=" writes: > Hmmm...I drove a 'classic' for about a week (1999...hey, how'd > he do that when the 'first' year was 2000?) and got to where I > could control the gas engine with my left foot. Year number applied in the previous calendar year, maybe? > Sad thing was, I got better economy for my type of driving with > my '95 Tercel Automatic! Quite possible. Driving style is so important. Too many folks think a hybrid doesn't benefit from being driven properly. Not true. It's like any other vehicle, that way. Is the Tercel a small car? The Prius is not. USian Mid-sized, almost. I see Toyota FWDs being advertised, with mpgs horribly lower than the Prius, despite related hybrid tech. (Maybe good for FWDs, though.) Body mass must count for a lot, although of course FWDs have the extra transmission bits to power. -- Andrew Stephenson |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"Gordon McGrew" wrote ...
> "Tomes" wrote: >>"Hachiroku wrote >>> On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:20:58 -0700, Mark A wrote: >>>> "Gordon McGrew" wrote >>>>> >>>>> I rode in a friend's Prius and he showed me that the engine started >>>>> up >>>>> before he hit 5 mph even under mild acceleration. I thought the >>>>> difference between the "full" hybrids like Prius and "mild" hybrids >>>>> like >>>>> the Civic was the ability of the former to operate as a pure >>>>> electric >>>>> over a modest range of conditions. It would seem that the Prius' >>>>> all >>>>> electric performance is very modest indeed. Is this correct? >>>> >>>> I believe that the Prius could theoretically start up and mildly >>>> accelerate with the battery powered electric motor alone (assuming it >>>> was >>>> charged) but there would not be enough horsepower in the electric >>>> motor >>>> alone to satisfy people (and it might not be safe to accelerate so >>>> slowly >>>> in high traffic situations). If not accelerating, then the electric >>>> motor >>>> can sometimes do it alone. >>> >>> The electric motor has plenty of juice to run the car. There are a LOT >>> of >>> other factors here...was the heat on? Air Conditioning? lights? Also, >>> the >>> US models are set up differently from the models used in the rest of >>> the >>> world...they run on gas more often in North America. This can be >>> changed >>> by hacking the ECU (and voiding the warranty...) >>> >>> Also, was the car fully charged? If not, the engine turn on to run the >>> generator, while the electric motor provides the locomotion. The >>> display >>> will show you what's happening... >>> >>I have and drive a Prius. It is just how it is set up. My Prius will >>start up in electric when the battery is charged enough and accelerate >>up >>to maybe 40 or so on electric alone - but it is painstakingly slow. One >>cannot do this in traffic, thus the need to press down a bit harder and >>engage the gas engine. I too would very much like for this car to rely >>on >>the electric much more than it does now. >>Tomes >> > Thanks for the thoughtful comments. I am really just curious about > the state of the technology. Not really interested in purchasing any > current hybrid but I would consider it if the right one existed. > Electric performance is not an issue in this regard - like I said, I > am just curious. > > More info on the experience I opened the thread with: > > The OAT was about 30F/0C. The engine should have been up to temp at > this point. Lights were on and there were three people in the car. I > don't know the state of the battery but he generally drives like an > old man. Also, the car is a new model, about 2 years old with 7000(!) > miles on it. He mostly drives it to the train station and back. He > indicated that it almost never ran on electric alone and showed me > this by gently accelerating from an electric creep. As best I could > tell, the schematic showed power coming from the engine the moment his > foot hit the gas. I am betting that the engine/exhaust system was not warmed up yet. It needs to warm up to get the emissions stuff hot, then it goes into its normal mode. This is another of the ways that it is set up by design. Tomes |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"mark_digital" wrote ...
> "Ray O" wrote ... >> "R PRINCETON" wrote ... >>>I just got a prius and am a bit disappointed that it doesn't spend more >>>time >>> in electric only mode. >>> >>> My question is for those who have modified the car to spend more time >>> in >>> electric mode: did you get better mileage? >>> >>> -thanks >>> >>> -ralph >>> >> The hybrid controller for the Prius is designed to keep the battery >> between 45% and 75% charged to prolong the life of the battery, so a >> modification that lets the battery get below 45% charge may shorten the >> battery pack's life. >> >> Adding additional batteries would theoretically allow the vehicle to >> spend more time in electric mode but then the engine would have to >> spend more time running to re-charge the battery. >> Ray O > > Unless the excess of the engine and regenerative braking were > underutilized to begin with. It is my unscientific belief that I regenerate more than I use, based upon my observation that I am in the green a lot and hardly ever go below half of the blue. Thus, I would like to use the electric moreso that it does by default. Doing it (controlling it) manually, however, would open up the possibility of hurting the battery on both ends inadvertently - by over and under charging. What I would like is the ability to tweak it within limits. (Adjust it to be a bit more on the electric side.) Tomes |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 15:14:20 GMT, "Tomes" <askme@here.net> wrote:
>"mark_digital" wrote ... >> "Ray O" wrote ... >>> "R PRINCETON" wrote ... >>>>I just got a prius and am a bit disappointed that it doesn't spend more >>>>time >>>> in electric only mode. >>>> >>>> My question is for those who have modified the car to spend more time >>>> in >>>> electric mode: did you get better mileage? >>>> >>>> -thanks >>>> >>>> -ralph >>>> >>> The hybrid controller for the Prius is designed to keep the battery >>> between 45% and 75% charged to prolong the life of the battery, so a >>> modification that lets the battery get below 45% charge may shorten the >>> battery pack's life. >>> >>> Adding additional batteries would theoretically allow the vehicle to >>> spend more time in electric mode but then the engine would have to >>> spend more time running to re-charge the battery. >>> Ray O >> >> Unless the excess of the engine and regenerative braking were >> underutilized to begin with. >It is my unscientific belief that I regenerate more than I use, based upon >my observation that I am in the green a lot and hardly ever go below half >of the blue. Thus, I would like to use the electric moreso that it does >by default. > >Doing it (controlling it) manually, however, would open up the possibility >of hurting the battery on both ends inadvertently - by over and under >charging. > >What I would like is the ability to tweak it within limits. (Adjust it to >be a bit more on the electric side.) >Tomes > You Prius drivers are almost as nuts as me! I run a GPS in my Corolla Wagon. The GPS is connected to my laptop computer and will take voice commands such as 'Where the hell am I'.... Now just think how dangerous I'd be in a Prius!!! -- Scott in Florida |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"Tomes" <askme@here.net> wrote in message news:gTjBh.2094$x74.744@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net... > "mark_digital" wrote ... >> "Ray O" wrote ... >>> "R PRINCETON" wrote ... >>>>I just got a prius and am a bit disappointed that it doesn't spend more >>>>time >>>> in electric only mode. >>>> >>>> My question is for those who have modified the car to spend more time >>>> in >>>> electric mode: did you get better mileage? >>>> >>>> -thanks >>>> >>>> -ralph >>>> >>> The hybrid controller for the Prius is designed to keep the battery >>> between 45% and 75% charged to prolong the life of the battery, so a >>> modification that lets the battery get below 45% charge may shorten the >>> battery pack's life. >>> >>> Adding additional batteries would theoretically allow the vehicle to >>> spend more time in electric mode but then the engine would have to spend >>> more time running to re-charge the battery. >>> Ray O >> >> Unless the excess of the engine and regenerative braking were >> underutilized to begin with. > It is my unscientific belief that I regenerate more than I use, based upon > my observation that I am in the green a lot and hardly ever go below half > of the blue. Thus, I would like to use the electric moreso that it does > by default. > > Doing it (controlling it) manually, however, would open up the possibility > of hurting the battery on both ends inadvertently - by over and under > charging. > > What I would like is the ability to tweak it within limits. (Adjust it to > be a bit more on the electric side.) > Tomes > > You're redesigned Prius actually (according to what I've read and heard) does go further and faster in all electric mode under similar conditions than my '03 Prius. As far as installing another battery pack, if it were my project I would make it so the second battery pack was for *overflow* only and not to be charged simultaneously or better put, not a priority. For the past two very cold weeks (mornings 5 degrees and daytime not much more than 20 degrees) I've been driving with the speedometer set for kilometers instead of miles. My fuel efficiency *seems* to have improved and I can only surmise it's because I can only relate to designated fixed speeds so I tend to accelerate faster than normal. In the past when I'm on the highway I noticed 62 mph seems to be the sweet spot. It just so happens to be 100 kilometers per hour. And the double nickel 55 is the double infinity 88 but upright instead. Hey! Gotta keep amused. |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"Tomes" <askme@here.net> wrote in message news:gTjBh.2094$x74.744@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net... > "mark_digital" wrote ... >> "Ray O" wrote ... >>> "R PRINCETON" wrote ... >>>>I just got a prius and am a bit disappointed that it doesn't spend more >>>>time >>>> in electric only mode. >>>> >>>> My question is for those who have modified the car to spend more time >>>> in >>>> electric mode: did you get better mileage? >>>> >>>> -thanks >>>> >>>> -ralph >>>> >>> The hybrid controller for the Prius is designed to keep the battery >>> between 45% and 75% charged to prolong the life of the battery, so a >>> modification that lets the battery get below 45% charge may shorten the >>> battery pack's life. >>> >>> Adding additional batteries would theoretically allow the vehicle to >>> spend more time in electric mode but then the engine would have to spend >>> more time running to re-charge the battery. >>> Ray O >> >> Unless the excess of the engine and regenerative braking were >> underutilized to begin with. > It is my unscientific belief that I regenerate more than I use, based upon > my observation that I am in the green a lot and hardly ever go below half > of the blue. Thus, I would like to use the electric moreso that it does > by default. > > Doing it (controlling it) manually, however, would open up the possibility > of hurting the battery on both ends inadvertently - by over and under > charging. > > What I would like is the ability to tweak it within limits. (Adjust it to > be a bit more on the electric side.) > Tomes > > In every case I have read about where people have wanted to tweak or adjust how the hybrid system operates, their desire has been to have the vehicle run in pure electric mode for a longer period or distance. I believe that Priuses sold in the UK have an EV button that forces the vehicle to operate in electric mode as long as possible, and that real world fuel economy changes very little by using that mode often. -- Ray O (correct punctuation to reply) |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"mark_digital" <976-XXX@comcastnot.com> wrote in
news:aO-dnQihFquFQEjYnZ2dnUVZ_tyinZ2d@comcast.com: > > "Tomes" <askme@here.net> wrote in message > news:gTjBh.2094$x74.744@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net... >> "mark_digital" wrote ... >>> "Ray O" wrote ... >>>> "R PRINCETON" wrote ... >>>>>I just got a prius and am a bit disappointed that it doesn't spend >>>>>more time >>>>> in electric only mode. >>>>> >>>>> My question is for those who have modified the car to spend more >>>>> time in >>>>> electric mode: did you get better mileage? >>>>> >>>>> -thanks >>>>> >>>>> -ralph >>>>> >>>> The hybrid controller for the Prius is designed to keep the battery >>>> between 45% and 75% charged to prolong the life of the battery, so >>>> a modification that lets the battery get below 45% charge may >>>> shorten the battery pack's life. >>>> >>>> Adding additional batteries would theoretically allow the vehicle >>>> to spend more time in electric mode but then the engine would have >>>> to spend more time running to re-charge the battery. >>>> Ray O >>> >>> Unless the excess of the engine and regenerative braking were >>> underutilized to begin with. >> It is my unscientific belief that I regenerate more than I use, based >> upon my observation that I am in the green a lot and hardly ever go >> below half of the blue. Thus, I would like to use the electric >> moreso that it does by default. >> >> Doing it (controlling it) manually, however, would open up the >> possibility of hurting the battery on both ends inadvertently - by >> over and under charging. >> >> What I would like is the ability to tweak it within limits. (Adjust >> it to be a bit more on the electric side.) >> Tomes >> >> > You're redesigned Prius actually (according to what I've read and > heard) does go further and faster in all electric mode under similar > conditions than my '03 Prius. As far as installing another battery > pack, if it were my project I would make it so the second battery pack > was for *overflow* only and not to be charged simultaneously or better > put, not a priority. How about charged from 120VAC line? When you get home or where an outlet is available. Then you use cheaper,more efficiently generated mains power for charging,not expensive gasoline. -- Jim Yanik jyanik at kua.net |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message news:Xns98D97FF09C921jyanikkuanet@64.209.0.86... > "mark_digital" <976-XXX@comcastnot.com> wrote in > news:aO-dnQihFquFQEjYnZ2dnUVZ_tyinZ2d@comcast.com: > >> >> "Tomes" <askme@here.net> wrote in message >> news:gTjBh.2094$x74.744@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net... >>> "mark_digital" wrote ... >>>> "Ray O" wrote ... >>>>> "R PRINCETON" wrote ... >>>>>>I just got a prius and am a bit disappointed that it doesn't spend >>>>>>more time >>>>>> in electric only mode. >>>>>> >>>>>> My question is for those who have modified the car to spend more >>>>>> time in >>>>>> electric mode: did you get better mileage? >>>>>> >>>>>> -thanks >>>>>> >>>>>> -ralph >>>>>> >>>>> The hybrid controller for the Prius is designed to keep the battery >>>>> between 45% and 75% charged to prolong the life of the battery, so >>>>> a modification that lets the battery get below 45% charge may >>>>> shorten the battery pack's life. >>>>> >>>>> Adding additional batteries would theoretically allow the vehicle >>>>> to spend more time in electric mode but then the engine would have >>>>> to spend more time running to re-charge the battery. >>>>> Ray O >>>> >>>> Unless the excess of the engine and regenerative braking were >>>> underutilized to begin with. >>> It is my unscientific belief that I regenerate more than I use, based >>> upon my observation that I am in the green a lot and hardly ever go >>> below half of the blue. Thus, I would like to use the electric >>> moreso that it does by default. >>> >>> Doing it (controlling it) manually, however, would open up the >>> possibility of hurting the battery on both ends inadvertently - by >>> over and under charging. >>> >>> What I would like is the ability to tweak it within limits. (Adjust >>> it to be a bit more on the electric side.) >>> Tomes >>> >>> >> You're redesigned Prius actually (according to what I've read and >> heard) does go further and faster in all electric mode under similar >> conditions than my '03 Prius. As far as installing another battery >> pack, if it were my project I would make it so the second battery pack >> was for *overflow* only and not to be charged simultaneously or better >> put, not a priority. > > How about charged from 120VAC line? > When you get home or where an outlet is available. > Then you use cheaper,more efficiently generated mains power for > charging,not expensive gasoline. > > > > -- > Jim Yanik > jyanik > at > kua.net All this stuff is technically feasible. The question is whether it is commercially feasible, that is, whether consumers are willing to pay $2000 to $4000 for the additional battery packs, chargers, etc. and give up trunk space. My guess is that people would probably give up trunk space but would be a little more reluctant to part with the additional money since the payback period may be longer than they intend to keep the vehicle. The break-even point in terms of fuel costs is somewhere between 3 and 7 years, depending on the cost of fuel, driving conditions, etc. Adding an additional $2k to $4k may push the break-even point out further than most people would keep the car. While there are plenty of people who keep their car for 10 or 20 years, even if all of them purchased the additional battery capacity, the sales numbers may still not justify an automaker to put it into production. -- Ray O (correct punctuation to reply) |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
In alt.autos.toyota RT <noyabusiness@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > In cold weather get 30mpg ? uh, the corolla will easily do that. A driver is a total weenie if he or she cannot get > 50 MPG from a Prius, even in cold weather. I've been getting high 50s lately, and am looking forward to summer-mix gasoline (non oxygenated) with 5% higher energy content so I can cross 60 MPG per fill-up. |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
In article <Xns98D97FF09C921jyanikkuanet@64.209.0.86>
jyanik@abuse.gov "Jim Yanik" writes: > How about charged from 120VAC line? > When you get home or where an outlet is available. > Then you use cheaper,more efficiently generated mains power for > charging,not expensive gasoline. The exact numbers are not to hand but, in general, the efficiency of charging from a wall socket is not as good as people generally think. It may be $cheaper to the householder than what is put in in fuel tank; but that's a red herring in the efficiency puzzle. Consider these stages when charging: * burn fuel at the power station and convert to electricity (hard to compute the efficiencies if the energy source is, say, hydro or solar or one of those, so skip them for now); * convey the electricity to wall socket and charger unit (if long journey across country, losses not negligible); * convert electricity to form suitable for battery (low volt DC), then convert to chemical energy, then back to electricity (huge losses overall). Compare this with the clever juggling the full hybrid setup does. Often the battery stays idle, as engine drives generator and that drives electric motor. If it does involve the battery, we do not have to pay for transmission losses. The higher-than-usual Prius petrol engine efficiency... hmm, I'd be guessing irresponsibly if I estimated how it matches up to the power station and would like to know more. Just a thought, right? -- Andrew Stephenson |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
In article <45d5ee8c@news.meer.net> ccreekin@yahoo.com "Bill
Tuthill" writes: > A driver is a total weenie if he or she cannot get > 50 MPG > from a Prius, even in cold weather. Then that makes me a weenie. <g> Likewise the other Prius owners who use my local T dealer/maintainer, who reports 56mphUK is what most drivers get, long term. (That'd be about 44.8mpgUS.) Share your secret, Bill? :-) -- Andrew Stephenson |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
On Feb 15, 9:51 pm, Hachiroku ハチク <Tru...@AE86.gts> wrote:
> Hmmm...I drove a 'classic' for about a week (1999...hey, how'd he do that > when the 'first' year was 2000?) and got to where I could control the gas > engine with my left foot. The first Prius was available in calendar year 1997 as a 1998 model year (the NHW10 model). The 1998-2000 model year Prius was only available in Japan. Beginning with the 2001 model year (available in 2000 calendar year), the Prius was redesigned and available for sale internationally (the NHW11 model). The 2001-2003 model year Prius is what is usually referred to as the "Classic" Prius. A small handful of the original Japanese Prius were brought out of Japan for some testing, to see what updates were needed for an international release. Was this one that you had tried in 1999? It's best identified as a compact sedan, no rear spoiler, the center display is all in Japanese, and had dash buttons for the display rather than a touch-screen. Oh, yeah, and it's RHD. (The NHW11 added the rear spoiler, a touch-screen, and has a more powerful engine and a more powerful (different design) battery pack, so better fuel economy and acceleration.) To my knowledge, there has always been just the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal... So how were you controlling the gasoline engine with your left foot? |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"Jim Yanik" <jyanik@abuse.gov> wrote in message news:Xns98D97FF09C921jyanikkuanet@64.209.0.86... > "mark_digital" <976-XXX@comcastnot.com> wrote in > news:aO-dnQihFquFQEjYnZ2dnUVZ_tyinZ2d@comcast.com: > >> >> "Tomes" <askme@here.net> wrote in message >> news:gTjBh.2094$x74.744@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net... >>> "mark_digital" wrote ... >>>> "Ray O" wrote ... >>>>> "R PRINCETON" wrote ... >>>>>>I just got a prius and am a bit disappointed that it doesn't spend >>>>>>more time >>>>>> in electric only mode. >>>>>> >>>>>> My question is for those who have modified the car to spend more >>>>>> time in >>>>>> electric mode: did you get better mileage? >>>>>> >>>>>> -thanks >>>>>> >>>>>> -ralph >>>>>> >>>>> The hybrid controller for the Prius is designed to keep the battery >>>>> between 45% and 75% charged to prolong the life of the battery, so >>>>> a modification that lets the battery get below 45% charge may >>>>> shorten the battery pack's life. >>>>> >>>>> Adding additional batteries would theoretically allow the vehicle >>>>> to spend more time in electric mode but then the engine would have >>>>> to spend more time running to re-charge the battery. >>>>> Ray O >>>> >>>> Unless the excess of the engine and regenerative braking were >>>> underutilized to begin with. >>> It is my unscientific belief that I regenerate more than I use, based >>> upon my observation that I am in the green a lot and hardly ever go >>> below half of the blue. Thus, I would like to use the electric >>> moreso that it does by default. >>> >>> Doing it (controlling it) manually, however, would open up the >>> possibility of hurting the battery on both ends inadvertently - by >>> over and under charging. >>> >>> What I would like is the ability to tweak it within limits. (Adjust >>> it to be a bit more on the electric side.) >>> Tomes >>> >>> >> You're redesigned Prius actually (according to what I've read and >> heard) does go further and faster in all electric mode under similar >> conditions than my '03 Prius. As far as installing another battery >> pack, if it were my project I would make it so the second battery pack >> was for *overflow* only and not to be charged simultaneously or better >> put, not a priority. > > How about charged from 120VAC line? > When you get home or where an outlet is available. > Then you use cheaper,more efficiently generated mains power for > charging,not expensive gasoline. > Jim Yanik There's always a possibility the engine will start anyway even if the car is sitting still. If both battery packs are topped off ahead of time then there's no place else to store the electricity. Then the so-called savings from using AC utility power are diminished. By how much I don't know. All I can say is if an extra battery pack allowed me to travel 20 miles I would be hauled off, tarred and feathered by everyone behind me for going so slow. mark_ |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 12:45:03 +0000, Andrew Stephenson wrote:
> In article <R_8Bh.4611$7s2.2405@trndny07> > Trueno@AE86.gts > "=?iso-2022-jp?q?Hachiroku_=1B$B%O%A%m%=2F=1B=28B?=" writes: > >> Hmmm...I drove a 'classic' for about a week (1999...hey, how'd >> he do that when the 'first' year was 2000?) and got to where I >> could control the gas engine with my left foot. > > Year number applied in the previous calendar year, maybe? > >> Sad thing was, I got better economy for my type of driving with >> my '95 Tercel Automatic! > > Quite possible. Driving style is so important. Too many folks > think a hybrid doesn't benefit from being driven properly. Not > true. It's like any other vehicle, that way. > > Is the Tercel a small car? How about Corolla II? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:T...corolla_ii.jpg > The Prius is not. USian Mid-sized, > almost. I see Toyota FWDs being advertised, with mpgs horribly > lower than the Prius, despite related hybrid tech. (Maybe good > for FWDs, though.) Body mass must count for a lot, although of > course FWDs have the extra transmission bits to power. |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 11:51:02 -0800, mrv@kluge.net wrote:
> On Feb 15, 9:51 pm, Hachiroku ハチク <Tru...@AE86.gts> wrote: >> Hmmm...I drove a 'classic' for about a week (1999...hey, how'd he do that >> when the 'first' year was 2000?) and got to where I could control the gas >> engine with my left foot. > > The first Prius was available in calendar year 1997 as a 1998 model > year (the NHW10 model). The 1998-2000 model year Prius was only > available in Japan. Beginning with the 2001 model year (available in > 2000 calendar year), the Prius was redesigned and available for sale > internationally (the NHW11 model). The 2001-2003 model year Prius is > what is usually referred to as the "Classic" Prius. > > A small handful of the original Japanese Prius were brought out of > Japan for some testing, to see what updates were needed for an > international release. Was this one that you had tried in 1999? It's > best identified as a compact sedan, no rear spoiler, the center > display is all in Japanese, and had dash buttons for the display > rather than a touch-screen. Oh, yeah, and it's RHD. (The NHW11 added > the rear spoiler, a touch-screen, and has a more powerful engine and a > more powerful (different design) battery pack, so better fuel economy > and acceleration.) It was a dealer 'teaser', that was available for show before actual sale. It was LHD, but this one was at the dealership months before they were actually available for sale here. One side was white, due to an accident. The other side was a huge billboard "PRIUS 60MPG Hiway Mileage Hybrid" > > To my knowledge, there has always been just the brake pedal and the > accelerator pedal... So how were you controlling the gasoline engine > with your left foot? Sorry...meant right foot... |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
"Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@ae86.GTS> wrote in message news:wHoBh.16$_O1.0@trndny04... > On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 11:51:02 -0800, mrv@kluge.net wrote: > >> On Feb 15, 9:51 pm, Hachiroku ???? <Tru...@AE86.gts> wrote: >>> Hmmm...I drove a 'classic' for about a week (1999...hey, how'd he do >>> that >>> when the 'first' year was 2000?) and got to where I could control the >>> gas >>> engine with my left foot. >> >> The first Prius was available in calendar year 1997 as a 1998 model >> year (the NHW10 model). The 1998-2000 model year Prius was only >> available in Japan. Beginning with the 2001 model year (available in >> 2000 calendar year), the Prius was redesigned and available for sale >> internationally (the NHW11 model). The 2001-2003 model year Prius is >> what is usually referred to as the "Classic" Prius. >> >> A small handful of the original Japanese Prius were brought out of >> Japan for some testing, to see what updates were needed for an >> international release. Was this one that you had tried in 1999? It's >> best identified as a compact sedan, no rear spoiler, the center >> display is all in Japanese, and had dash buttons for the display >> rather than a touch-screen. Oh, yeah, and it's RHD. (The NHW11 added >> the rear spoiler, a touch-screen, and has a more powerful engine and a >> more powerful (different design) battery pack, so better fuel economy >> and acceleration.) > > It was a dealer 'teaser', that was available for show before actual sale. > It was LHD, but this one was at the dealership months before they were > actually available for sale here. One side was white, due to an accident. > The other side was a huge billboard "PRIUS 60MPG Hiway Mileage Hybrid" > > > >> >> To my knowledge, there has always been just the brake pedal and the >> accelerator pedal... So how were you controlling the gasoline engine >> with your left foot? > > Sorry...meant right foot... I'm sorry too. I thought you were implying you could steer with your...... Oh, never mind. mark_ |
All-electric vehicle (was Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?)
Dear Newsies If you want a high performance, all-electric automobile (which seems to where the thread was going) you might check out: http://www.teslamotors.com/index.php?js_enabled=1 It is based on the tZero: http://www.acpropulsion.com/tzero/ and uses many Lotus parts and basic chassis. There are to Honda or Toyota bits in either that I know of so this is an off-topic post. Elliot Richmond Itinerant astronomy teacher |
Re: Prius seldom runs on batteries alone?
On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 16:04:05 -0500, mark_digital© wrote:
> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@ae86.GTS> wrote in message > news:wHoBh.16$_O1.0@trndny04... >> On Fri, 16 Feb 2007 11:51:02 -0800, mrv@kluge.net wrote: >> >>> On Feb 15, 9:51 pm, Hachiroku ???? <Tru...@AE86.gts> wrote: >>>> Hmmm...I drove a 'classic' for about a week (1999...hey, how'd he do >>>> that >>>> when the 'first' year was 2000?) and got to where I could control the >>>> gas >>>> engine with my left foot. >>> >>> The first Prius was available in calendar year 1997 as a 1998 model >>> year (the NHW10 model). The 1998-2000 model year Prius was only >>> available in Japan. Beginning with the 2001 model year (available in >>> 2000 calendar year), the Prius was redesigned and available for sale >>> internationally (the NHW11 model). The 2001-2003 model year Prius is >>> what is usually referred to as the "Classic" Prius. >>> >>> A small handful of the original Japanese Prius were brought out of >>> Japan for some testing, to see what updates were needed for an >>> international release. Was this one that you had tried in 1999? It's >>> best identified as a compact sedan, no rear spoiler, the center >>> display is all in Japanese, and had dash buttons for the display >>> rather than a touch-screen. Oh, yeah, and it's RHD. (The NHW11 added >>> the rear spoiler, a touch-screen, and has a more powerful engine and a >>> more powerful (different design) battery pack, so better fuel economy >>> and acceleration.) >> >> It was a dealer 'teaser', that was available for show before actual sale. >> It was LHD, but this one was at the dealership months before they were >> actually available for sale here. One side was white, due to an accident. >> The other side was a huge billboard "PRIUS 60MPG Hiway Mileage Hybrid" >> >> >> >>> >>> To my knowledge, there has always been just the brake pedal and the >>> accelerator pedal... So how were you controlling the gasoline engine >>> with your left foot? >> >> Sorry...meant right foot... > > I'm sorry too. I thought you were implying you could steer with your...... > Oh, never mind. > mark_ Well, I *CAN*, but that's besides the point... |
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