Driving a Prius powered by the sun
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- Опубліковано 14 кві 2014
- A short interview where I talk about my Prius conversion to a PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle). The 10kw lithium battery pack system was designed and installed by Robb Protheroe of PLUG-IN SUPPLY; Coupled with my solar array I'm now driving powered by the sun!
Now in 2020 these cars are old and cheap, as are used, yet still viable solar arrays as ppl update their home systems. I own three Prius this model, 1.2 million kms between them, one battery pack replaced. I bought a 1kw solar system for $350 and currently trying to work towards what David has here. I'll likely use cheaper, used batteries to feed into the OEM pack so the ECU see's a full pack and gtlides in EV as much as possible. We don't need to be millionaires, all we need is around us, just the skills, knowledge and will.
You measure > 10KW charging because of charging inefficiencies, not because the pack is > 10KW. Charging is not free, you lose power AC -> DC and you lose power to heat.
Tesla is building what is called the gigafactory in Nevada that will produce lithium batteries. The gigafactory will eventually produce more battery kWs per year than the entire world produced last year. The entire factory will run on wind and solar power and recycle the used batteries which incidentally still have life in them. The gigafactory will eventually employ 6,000 people at $25 per hour and up. Google gigafactory and see what you think of the potential environmental benefits. By the way the Tesla car manufacturing plant in California currently has 6,000 employees.
I just bought a Prius Prime Plus. PHEV can go up to 89mph in electric. Love it. So far I am diving better than expected. It says 25 miles on an electric charge, I'm getting 40 miles
I discovered your video when it first came out and converted my 2007 Prius with a 4.5 kW system. Two years ago, I upgraded the batteries to an 18 kWh Nissan Leaf setup and added solar panels on the roof. I still use my Prius today, and it works perfectly. Thanks for sharing this with us. It's all your fault!
2022, sure that car is already in the trash!!!!!!!!
I have a 2010 Prius with the factory solar panel. It's a pet peeve of mine that it's almost useless, being used ONLY for running the fan blower when the car is off, and nothing more. I know it provides enough power to charge a cell phone, camera battery, emergency flashlight, or other small gadget connected to the 12v outlet. I've been looking for someone who has rigged it to power the standard 12v outlets (or an additional added one or two), or maybe even rigged it to trickle charge the 12v battery.
I had solar panels installed on my home with the intent i would trade my third generation 3 prius for the next generation plug in prius. That dream has come true. I have the car programmed to be charged by noon when i do most of my daily driving. I love the thought of having my car charged by solar energy.
It's an Inverter not converter.
10 KW hr is the capacity of the battery, not 10 KW. KW is power, the rate of using energy. Energy is KW hr, the total power used over time. That is, energy = power * time, actually energy = the integral of power with respect to time. Also, power = energy/time, again in calculus terms power = the derivative of energy with respect to time.
The ultimate set up
I like you David ....you are a positive active gifted pleasant and calm man.
Man when u started talking about the weight distribution that just made me want it even more.
This is such a clean setup. I have to attempt it someday. What a wonderful upgrade.
Thank you for sharing. You live in an amazing place. Great idea for electric drive.
Smart people like you inspire me.
What an impressive man you are.
Thanks David for being an early adopter pushing the renewable energy industry forward. I hope to have a modified Prius in the near future.
Can you make like a small tutorial how you converted it?
You're a smart guy, keep up the good work:)