Prius as powerplant
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Joined: Sep 2005
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Prius as powerplant
An interesting item from BoingBoing today on using Prius as backup home electric source:
http://www.boingboing.net/2006/01/03...owerplant.html
http://www.boingboing.net/2006/01/03...owerplant.html
Richard Factor created a deep HOWTO on using a Toyota Prius hybrid automobile as an emergency Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for your house. According to his estimates, it can be cheaper than buying a generator, as long as you already own the car.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,089
From: Severna Park, MD
World's First Hybrid
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 600
From: Quincy MA
Re: Prius as powerplant
Originally Posted by gonavy
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,089
From: Severna Park, MD
Re: Prius as powerplant
of course. One of the warnings about voiding a vehicle warrantee is "when used as a stationary power source or generator."
Its just a little easier to do it w/ a hybrid, since the high-power electronics and HV battery are already there (sans inverter) and the engine is already programmed to turn on to maintain battery state.
Its just a little easier to do it w/ a hybrid, since the high-power electronics and HV battery are already there (sans inverter) and the engine is already programmed to turn on to maintain battery state.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,045
From: Coquitlam, B.C.
Re: Prius as powerplant
It's a lot more efficient to use a Prius because it shuts down the engine when the load is low. This lets the engine operate much more efficiently since it doesn't need to idle 'waiting' for a load.
Any car could be used, but a Prius is basically good to go, everything you need including a large battery is already there.
Any car could be used, but a Prius is basically good to go, everything you need including a large battery is already there.
Engineering first
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,613
From: Huntsville, AL
Re: Prius as powerplant
Hi,
We have direct experience using the same 1 kW inverter with an Echo and our Prius. The results were:
Echo:
~500 W. at engine idle speed
~0.6 gal/hour for 0.5 kW load (~18 hours using a full tank)
Significant problems dealing with startup loads. Engine has to spin faster than idle for alternator to generate full 1 kW power.
Prius:
1,000 W.
0.25 gal/hour for 1 kW load (~44 hrs using a full tank)
No problem dealing with startup loads since traction battery system has abundant and instant surge capacity.
Bob Wilson
Originally Posted by Schwa
It's a lot more efficient to use a Prius because it shuts down the engine when the load is low. This lets the engine operate much more efficiently since it doesn't need to idle 'waiting' for a load.
Any car could be used, but a Prius is basically good to go, everything you need including a large battery is already there.
Any car could be used, but a Prius is basically good to go, everything you need including a large battery is already there.
Echo:
~500 W. at engine idle speed
~0.6 gal/hour for 0.5 kW load (~18 hours using a full tank)
Significant problems dealing with startup loads. Engine has to spin faster than idle for alternator to generate full 1 kW power.
Prius:
1,000 W.
0.25 gal/hour for 1 kW load (~44 hrs using a full tank)
No problem dealing with startup loads since traction battery system has abundant and instant surge capacity.
Bob Wilson
Prof. of Hybridology
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,070
From: Michigan
Re: Prius as powerplant
Recently there was a power outage in my area. Had power not been restored before I needed to, I was going to run an extension cord up the stairs from the basement and use the FEH to power the sump pump to prevent basement flooding.
Gotta say, it's nice to have that option, but I'm looking now at UPS and backup generators for the sump pump.
Gotta say, it's nice to have that option, but I'm looking now at UPS and backup generators for the sump pump.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,089
From: Severna Park, MD
Re: Prius as powerplant
Home Depot and Lowes have battery sump pumps for ~$150 after battery, acid, and pump.
The pump tees in to the main pump discharge, with a check valve on each pump oulet. You use a wet LA 12V battery and charger that come with it (can use a car battery, but they recommend one you add the acid to). The pump is always ready to pump when its float trips, with or without AC power- so it can supplement a overwhelmed or degraded/broken main pump in addition to power outage protection. Mine's been online since 2002.
I made it through 48 hours last year with no power and constant rain (3+ inches total) with no hiccups. Very good, long-lasting, and reliable. A one-time insurance policy.
The pump tees in to the main pump discharge, with a check valve on each pump oulet. You use a wet LA 12V battery and charger that come with it (can use a car battery, but they recommend one you add the acid to). The pump is always ready to pump when its float trips, with or without AC power- so it can supplement a overwhelmed or degraded/broken main pump in addition to power outage protection. Mine's been online since 2002.
I made it through 48 hours last year with no power and constant rain (3+ inches total) with no hiccups. Very good, long-lasting, and reliable. A one-time insurance policy.
