PHEV - Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Conversion

Here are some notes on the conversion of my standard Prius into a PHEV.

Equipment Photos

Installation of Touchscreen and CAN-view.
Hymotion L5.
Criminal Act
The Completed PHEV with Hymotion L5.
First time at 100 average MPG.

Journal

7 May 2007 - Acquired new 2007 Toyota Prius.
10 May 2007 - Prius was gently rear-ended by a Ford Expedition.
17 May 2007 - Prius rear-end was completely repaired.
28 June 2007 - Received touchscreen monitor.
2 July 2007 - Received CAN-view computer.
25 August 2007 - Mounted touchscreen monitor.
8 September 2007 - Connected touchscreen monitor to power and CAN-view.
October 2007 - Project was delayed by other expenses and commitments.
February 2008 - Decided to wait for commercial product from Hymotion.
26 April 2008 - Ordered Hymotion L5 Plug-In Conversion Module.
5 June 2008 - Discovered break-in on morning after GM announced closure of SUV plants. Coincidence?
23 September 2008 - Received news that CARB gave approval to sell the L5 in California.
10 October 2008 - Was contacted by my dealer to schedule the install of the L5.
29 October 2008 - Dealer installed L5 thus making this car into a PHEV.
17 January 2009 - Reached 100 average MPG.
9 February 2009 - At fill-up of petrol tank, (437 miles)/(3.838 gallons)=114 MPG.
2 April 2009 - At fill-up of petrol tank, (490 miles)/(4.051 gallons)=121 MPG.
2 May 2009 - At top-off of petrol tank, (281 miles)/(1.989 gallons)=141 MPG.
27 June 2009 - For the first time, charged somewhere other than home (brother-in-law's house).
14 December 2009 - Removed broken touchscreen monitor because it was draining the 12V battery.
27 December 2009 - At fill-up of petrol tank, (491 miles)/(3.321 gallons)=148 MPG.
8 March 2010 - Tested electric-only range at 17.3 miles (16.8 Hymotion batt. + 0.5 Toyota batt.).
10 October 2010 - At fill-up of petrol tank, (674 miles)/(4.336 gallons)=155 MPG.
20 October 2010 - For the first time, charged at a hotel where I was staying (Rancho Las Palmas resort).
9 March 2011 - Sold the car to a neighbor.

Accounting

Item Cost(US$)
Lilliput GL701-TV/C/T In-Dash Touchscreen 348.49
CAN-View V4plus 463.00
Hymotion L5 (deposit) 1000.00
Hymotion L5 (balance, tax, install) 10211.00
Struts (for more weight), Alignment, Decal 1958.59

Links

CalCars - The California Cars Initiative
      See car #124 on the list of Where PHEV Conversions Are.
PriusPlus-Doc - PRIUS+ PHEV DIY (Do-it-Yourself) documentation
Mobile Computing Solutions - supplier of touchscreens and more
Hybrid Interfaces - home of the CAN-view computer
Plug-In Supply Inc - supplier of components and assemblies for PHEV conversions
Hymotion - supplier of complete Plug-In Conversion Modules
San Mateo Police - investigators of the "smash with nothing to grab" incident
CARB - California Air Resources Board
Pat's Garage - certified "CHIPS" A123/Hymotion dealer
Green Gears - partner of Pat's Garage
ChargePoint Network - network of charging stations built by Coulomb Technologies
Report smoking vehicles via CARB or BAAQMD.

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