If one were to purchase a replacement battery pack, wire it in parallel with the original, reprogram an increase for the all electric speed in the operating system and add an external charger, it would be possible to extend the electric operation and achieve a PHEV lite. What else would be needed? Julian

I have not done any work in that area but other postings suggest more is needed. For example, the battery controller has to be 'spoofed' so the extra capacity can be used.

An approach I plan to test is to 'tickle charge' the battery up to 80% of capacity and see what that does to the morning commute. In theory, the extra energy should result in a slight reduction in the warm-up cycle. However, now that warmer weather has returned, it is unlikely that I'll see any benefit.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
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A shorting A/B switch, meaning B is connected before A is released, would allow trickle charging both batteries to the 80% you suggest.

Leno's video brought up the battery life question. They are all doing well as long as the charge is held between 30% and 70% but no one knows how they will hold up if, as Ford's head guy suggested, the PHEV Escape is charged at night to 100%.

I believe Li batteries can be gauged from a precise voltage measurement. If so, the two batteries in parallel would give a greater depletion mode run.

BTW. I believe you are in AL, so you probably know where we retireed--on top of Lookout Mountain, near Mentone. One reason, I would like a larger battery is the 6 to 8 mile ride down the mountain. I don't think the stock battery can store all of that energy.

You're right but the trick is getting the energy back into the car later.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

The current hybrid vehicles have a miles per hour limit on electric mode function. Thus in theory you could add another battery in an attempt to gain duration but the miles per hour limit would still exist. You would not have "much" electric assist during highway speed driving.

Since the PHEV are not currently sold to the public, it is hard to tell if they will allow sustained electric mode function at highway speeds. However, one when reads the reports from Hybrid-Plus out of Boulder, this aftermarket company does allow sustained electric assist at highway speed until the hybrid battery is depleted to a predetermined level. Shoot an e-mail to gpsman1 who has driven such a vehicle.

2005 AWD Escape Hybrid
Best tank trip MPG 39.02 (scangauge II) for 402 miles on I-70, 10.3 gallons used over mostly flat terrain.

Best tank trip MPG 34.6 for E30 for 271 miles along I-80 in Indiana and Ohio.

I've thought of this too. I would love to just top off my small HCH battery at night. I could use EV mode maximally on my way home and deplete down to 30%. Then back up to 80% or so. Wouldn't make a huge difference but I bet I could go to 55 mpg from 50. Obviously shorter trips would benefit more.

Billyk - I think the HCH can EV up to about 65 miles per hour. It won't hold that speed but will allow EV mode. I would think you would do a lot of P&G to maximize electric use. So you would pulse up to 65 - and glide in EV mode until you fell down to 45 miles per hour or whatever - it would deplete the battery fast.

I would also want a button to prevent regen. You could pulse to speed and glide as long as possible without regen.

I would love to see calcs with a 1 mile trip, 5 mile trip and 10 mile trip using a HCH PHEV lite - Does the battery hold enough to travel .5 mile at say 30 miles per hour? Now - a block heater would clearly be needed for such a short trip.

Hey - if you could get a charger/block heater combo for a few hundred $$ - wouldn't it be worth it? (after the warranty of course...)

[quote=300TTto545;166827]

Billyk - I think the HCH can EV up to about 65 miles per hour.

Could you take a photo or video of this or how fast a Honda Civic Hybrid can go in electric mode? Well I have to tell you, the speed is zero! It can not move on pure electric at all.


I would also want a button to prevent regen. You could pulse to speed and glide as long as possible without regen.

The Ford Escape Hybrid allows one to shift into "N" on the fly to prevent regenative braking effects. Does the Honda Civic Hybrid allow shifting on the fly?


Hey - if you could get a charger/block heater combo for a few hundred $$ - wouldn't it be worth it? (after the warranty of course...)[/quote]
I have an engine block heater on my Ford Escape Hybrid and this allows warms the hybrid battery. My vehicle is still under warranty. Ford sells this setup as standard in cold weather states. The charger does not increase the hybrid battery state of charge, just the temperature.

2005 AWD Escape Hybrid
Best tank trip MPG 39.02 (scangauge II) for 402 miles on I-70, 10.3 gallons used over mostly flat terrain.

Best tank trip MPG 34.6 for E30 for 271 miles along I-80 in Indiana and Ohio.

I'd love to see a 10 mile trip

[quote=Billyk;166948] The HCH-II has an EV mode - You are mistaken. There is no photo to take because it doesn't have a light that says "You are in EV mode". But when you are not using gas (ie mileage pegged at 100) and the assist is running - you are in EV mode. Now - the Honda can't get to speed without gas but once there it most definitely can shut off gas to the engine and be fully electric. It will not go into this mode above 65 or 62 miles per hour - I can't remember. Now - it is a very limited EV mode but there is an EV only mode. My last mile of my commute can be EV mode only - admittedly a lot of downhills. Running that much EV really drains the small battery - hence the ability to pump it back up would be nice at home.

Yes - the HCH will stop charging in Neutral. But in neutral - you will use gas to keep the engine running - ie it will idle. So doing that makes no sense. What would be nice is the keep the ICE tied to the wheels but not having regen. The FEH I don't pretend to understand but it is different in many ways to the HCH. You may be wasting gas in the FEH by putting it in neutral to coast. Many newer vehicles (even non hybrids) cut gas significantly at speed with no throttle - by cut gas - I mean less than idle. In these vehicles shifting to neutral to glide is a gas wasting habit. The HCH uses zero gas on throttle off (at least when warm) but does have to use gas to idle.

I think you are confusing what "charger" means - that means to charge the battery. If you have a heater - that is great - obviously doesn't void the warranty. But that is not a charger. I lumped the two together because you could have a combo unit that you plug in with one cord. Each gives a small increase in mileage (more if cold temps). A charger that would not be factory authorised (and there are non that are) would most certainly void the battery warranty.

[quote=300TTto545;167000] I am not aware that the HCH has any EV capabilities and maybe someone should post photos/video of this in action. Documentation of EV duration (distance) would also be helpful.

The FEH does not burn any "gas" while in "N" and while in electric mode. Fuel cut off can also be induced without going into electric mode, especially on downhill thru shifting the eCVT into "L" and then back into "D" when the RPM's spike.

I understand what the term "charger" refers to in regard to the hybrid battery's state of charge status. I actually attempted two different ways to increase the hybrid battery's state of charge status at rest but was unsuccessful. The normal FEH hybrid battery state of charge is 40 to just under 60%. I understand the HCH hybrid battery state of charge is between 50-80%. Is this correct?

2005 AWD Escape Hybrid
Best tank trip MPG 39.02 (scangauge II) for 402 miles on I-70, 10.3 gallons used over mostly flat terrain.

Best tank trip MPG 34.6 for E30 for 271 miles along I-80 in Indiana and Ohio.