Prius are weird

softdown
softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,891 ✭✭✭✭
in In the Weeds--Member's Choice #1
The only way a Prius makes sense is if the driver does a lot of stop and go driving. The problematic hybrid battery pack does absolutely nothing on the freeways. 

There is no way to bypass the hybrid battery pack either. if the computer thinks the battery pack has an issue the car essentially shuts down. 

All that is bad enough. But wait, theres more. It may lead you to believe you need a new expensive hybrid battery pack. That changes absolutely nothing in the error codes. There are a LOT of things that will create the yellow triangle of death. The message that says: "Check hybrid system. Stop in a safe place."

Ask yourself this, are you equipped to check the hybrid system? Very, very few are. 

Prius are weird. Good cars but weird. Potentially quite expensive. Head gaskets and spark plugs are also tough. 

And the little starter battery costs about $225 and is pretty hard to reach.

The gas tank holds 12 gallons but only says it holds 10 gallons. My Ford truck has a 50% greater cruising range, 

Prius are weird. With some smart changes it could have been a huge seller. 
First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • Ralph Day
    Ralph Day Solar Expert Posts: 1,022 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    So, the plural of Prius is Prius?  Not Pri-i
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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,166 ✭✭✭✭
    edited October 2023 #3
    Well, Toyota sold around 5 million units so that seems pretty popular. My Dad, sister, and brother all owned a Prius at different times. They really liked them, but I am not a fan and would never own one because they don't meet my needs.
    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,891 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Marc Kurth said:
    Well, Toyota sold around 5 million units so that seems pretty popular. My Dad, sister, and brother all owned a Prius at different times. They really liked them, but I am not a fan and would never own one because they don't meet my needs.
    A lot of folks try it. But fail to return. Why? Because Prius have some weird "maintenance" issues. One can find plenty of mechanics that refuse to work on Prius. Why? Because they are weird. 

    They should allow one to bypass the hybrid battery pack. For one thing. 

    The huge front window means being hot in the low 70's due to passive heat gains. For another. 
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • JRHill
    JRHill Registered Users Posts: 353 ✭✭✭
    edited October 2023 #5
    I couldn't own an EV due to charging capabilities. I've long thought that if I had to I'd get a hybrid but it would have to be all wheel drive and with plenty of ground clearance. That rules out the Prius just by physical requirements. I believe it is Subaru that has a hybrid....

    Any thoughts on those or other alternatives? As Mark said the Prius doesn't meet the needs. My daily (bi-weekly) driver is an F350 and it's not for the load carry/pull capabilities.
    Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat.
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    #6
    Lift kits for Prius, Corollas, and Lexus (various years/models). Also for 2022 and older Prius, sheet metal skid pans (vs plastic) and a bit more road clearance (don't know anything else about the vendor--Just an FYI)

    https://priusoffroad.com/

    I am looking towards a new Prius (non-PEV--jJust simple hybrid, when they become available again, and not crazy dealer markups). I an interested in the ECVT (electric continuously variable transmissions--Want to avoid the mechanical CVT that use "belts" and pulleys--In my humble opinion).

    The rear wheel 5 HP (or so) does not seem to have much low speed torque, and not really great traction control on front wheels (does not seem to make the Prius an all/4 wheel drive vehicle). I have not seen the reviews of all wheel drive 2023+ Prius to know if the new model(s) are better or not...

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • SteveK
    SteveK Solar Expert Posts: 387 ✭✭
    edited October 2023 #7
    I also drive a 2017 F350 DRW Lariat. Need more economy but still need to pull the tractor and 5'er. We are adding a Tesla soon. We bought a Civic Hybrid new in 2007. Liked it loads. Batteries pooped out at 146,000. Car still drove well enough though just with no beans off the go line. Then, my lovely state made it a inspection sticker violation to have the batterry idiot light on so that was the end of that.

    We really like our Trailhawks for that occasional off road moment. We came from a 2016 Cherokee to a 2021 Grand Cherokee. Would love to see those fitted with with some Lithium.....
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  • JRHill
    JRHill Registered Users Posts: 353 ✭✭✭
    #8
    SteveK said:
    I also drive a 2017 F350 DRW Lariat. 
    We really don't need skid plates for the most parts although the DWs F250 and my 350 have them in select places. We live in the forested side of a canyon and our access is 2 miles of steep and privative trail being 'somewhat' improved by past logging. Improved means there are boulders and large stones pressed down into the two track to support the trucks and equipment. Grades exceed 30% in places. Add to that the laterals for drainage in many places. It's a lot of fun in the winter. Its not the place for a front wheel drive city car and I have a pile of plastic to prove it but they still try.

    Hence the Super Duty pickups for the ton of feed or two tons of rock on occasion. Loaded or empty its crawling along in 1st or 2nd 4wd all year. We are any example of folks who would be severely penalized by anti-ICE legislation. But I guess that's OK because that legislation is supported by mostly city people who shrug and say tough for you.
    Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat.
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  • SteveK
    SteveK Solar Expert Posts: 387 ✭✭
    edited October 2023 #9
    My DRW came with the FX4 Off road package. I believe the main differences are the fuel tanks have skidders and the Rancho suspension. I would never consider doing the rooty rutty rocky wet stuff off road around here, That is clearly in the realm of the modified CJ's and such. As a matter of fact I refuse to even fit a plow to it to plow a 35 unit community we own. DRW is terrible for that. I plow with my 60hp Kioti DK6010HST-Cab. That thing is amazing....plow with a heated cab tractor and you'll never go backtor. Visibility, control and traction is King.

    We have a hoot in Moab once a year with the little Jeep Trailhawks. The lesser Cherokee actually does better there than the newer Grand Chrerokee does. Clearance on the grand is far superior though.

    I want an electric Trailhawk....NOW! hehhehheh
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  • JRHill
    JRHill Registered Users Posts: 353 ✭✭✭
    #10
    Steve, you must be grid connected. I have pondered the expansion of our system to cover an EV but I know the pattern by now. We have all the sunlight necessary to expand for an EV when there is sun. When there is little sun for 3 months of the year there is no amount of extra solar to be added that would help. So it would be a seasonal rig.
    Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat.
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  • SteveK
    SteveK Solar Expert Posts: 387 ✭✭
    edited October 2023 #11
    Yes JR we are grid connected. We don't live in that community. We have a home 30 miles North. Our town has an electric co-op. The rates in our home town are pretty cheap. All-in including all fees, generation charges and kWh's we come in at ~.17 per kWh. The less we use the lower the fees, charges and obviously the kWh pricing goes.

    With rates that low it's not worth it to sell to the grid and it is discouraged in our town. I really keep the solar and 30kW of storage for emergency preparedness. My system does earn for us though through self-consumption. Dear wife was impressed with our $34 electric bill last month. Historically it is ~$100 in that month. To be honest, solar makes no practical sense in our application. Just the way I like it!

    We live in a 900sq/ft home on less than an 1/8th acre of land. We have no roof or land for enough solar here. If I remember correctly we would need around 30kW of panels to support a commuter here and like you said it would need to produce year round. That ain't happening.

    We do have a 34 acre tree farm adjacent to that community we own. Heron rookery, beavers, yotes, deer, mink...etc. Had considered large scale solar there for National Grid but screw that. I like the wildlife...


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