As an example The Plug-In Solutions PHEV conversion has three modes of operation:
1. Standard Mode 2. Enhanced Hybrid Mode (Enhanced mode) 3. Electric Vehicle Mode (EV mode)
Please see company websites for information specific to each manufacturer.
1. Standard Mode
Standard Mode means the car functions the same as an un-modified Prius
car. The Owner's Manual describes how to operate the car in Standard
Mode.
2. Enhanced Hybrid Mode (Enhanced Mode)
Enhanced Hybrid Mode (Enhanced Mode) is what we call the mode that can deliver over 100 miles per gallon (MPG).
Enhanced mode uses the Toyota Electric Vehicle mode (TEV mode) found on
Prius cars sold outside of North America and enhances it by adding an
auxiliary battery pack and additional software. Our Enhanced mode
minimizes the use of the gas engine and maximizes the use of the
electric drive.
You may also hear this mode called "Blended Mode"
or "Try EV Mode." In this mode the gas engine continues to operate from
time to time whenever the car's computer determines it is needed.
Cars that come from Toyota equipped with the TEV
mode have an on-off push button switch to the left of the steering
wheel labeled "EV."
Other companies also sell products to provide TEV
mode. Our TEV mode will continue to work if a second manual TEV switch
is installed in the car.
TEV mode is meant to be used when stuck in traffic
jams and other situations where slow, start and stop progress is
desired without the gas engine running. This reduces pollution
emissions.
Our Enhanced mode improves on TEV mode by providing more power for the electric drive.
Multi-Function Display and Battery State of Charge
The multi-function display (MFD) provides an indication of how much
electricity remains in your battery pack, when set to the Energy Monitor Screen. The amount of electricity in
the pack is called State Of Charge (SOC).
The MFD is the Screen in the center of your dashboard.
Normally the MFD will show the battery SOC
fluctuating between green bars (full) and blue bars (half full). This
fluctuation reflects the auxiliary battery pack charging up the Toyota
NiMH battery pack.
You will know the auxiliary pack is running out of
electricity when the MFD stops showing green bars and the number of
blue bars slowly decreases.
With a gas powered car you re-fill your gas tank
before you run out of gas. The same concept applies to an electric car.
You should not run the battery pack all the way down to zero. Stop
using the PHEV system when you are on the last blue bar. Switch the
PHEV power switch off then charge the battery pack as soon as possible.
This will help the battery pack last a long time.
In Enhanced mode the PHEV system will stop
discharging when the SOC reaches 40%. The system will still absorb
regenerative power after it has reached this point.
In EV mode it is possible to drive the car until the pack is completely exhausted. Do not do this.
Driving Tips
1. Use your charge when it best suits your drive.
You can use your electricity when you want to by turning the PHEV power
switch on and off as needed. For example, you can save the charge for
city streets to minimize pollution in densely populated areas.
2. Go slow.
Driving slow uses less power than driving fast. You will go further on a charge when driving slow.
3. Coasting.
Ride the brake slightly when coasting to produce more regen electricity.
Charging
To charge the car, use a 3 wire, 14 gauge or heavier extension cord, up to 50 feet
(15 meters) long. A 3 wired, 12 gauge extension cord is better than 14
gauge for long lengths. Never use a 16 gauge extension cord to charge
the car.
Don't coil the extension cord when charging. It will over heat and the plastic jacket will melt.
Use an in-line GFI circuit breaker with the extension cord. Put the GFI at the end that plugs into the house.
Keep the PHEV power switch on (red LED lighted) when charging.
Do not charge the car with the windows closed when it is parked in the
sun. Move it into the shade or roll down the windows slightly. The
battery charger may over-heat and turn off.
Keep the area around the charger clear when it is
charging. It gives off heat and needs to cool itself. If it gets too
hot it will shut-off.
The PHEV system will sound a warning buzzer if you
start the car when it is plugged into house power. To stop this buzzer,
unplug the extension cord at the car.
Do recharge the pack every time the PHEV system is used, so it is ready to go next time.
Charger Operation
We supply three different brands of charger with your system. They are all automatic. No adjustments are needed.
One brand of charger displays output voltage and output current. Typically 4A max and 288VDC.
The car is fully charged when the charger display indicates .25 amps or less.
