Toyota Camry Hybrid...how does it work?

GASWAGON · 31-08-2013, 08:17 PM

Being from an electric forklift background I recently was looking into solar systems and how they work.... Now i'm very curious as to how the Toyota Hybrid system actually works..... When exactly does the petrol motor kick in? Up hills and or heavy loads OR only when the battery pack is very low?

If they came in station wagon I would def look at buying one but theyre all bloody sedans!

jpd80 · 31-08-2013, 08:22 PM

GASWAGON · 31-08-2013, 08:26 PM

Bloody hell nice schematic..... I'm still confused though lol! Can you simplify it for me?

malazn mafia · 31-08-2013, 08:27 PM

Can the guts of a camry hybrid somehow be ripped out easily enough and fitted to a non-toyota vehicle with higher engine capacity?

GASWAGON · 31-08-2013, 08:35 PM

No way mate....Thers electric motors and a special gearbox all designed to fit in one car only, the Camry.

malazn mafia · 31-08-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EF_6

No way mate....Thers electric motors and a special gearbox all designed to fit in one car only, the Camry.

Someone should come up with kits that reshell a Camry to make it look less dowdy or for those who don't want a geriatric car. Like they do with the Lambo MR2 or hummer kits for Patrols

jpd80 · 31-08-2013, 09:49 PM

Lots of good infl here...http://www.ae.pwr.wroc.pl/filez/2011...HEV_Toyota.pdf

GTP-RPD · 31-08-2013, 11:26 PM

I found this. It kind of explains how it works for lay people.

http://youtu.be/Ac7G7xOG2Ag

nothin suss · 01-09-2013, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EF_6

No way mate....Thers electric motors and a special gearbox all designed to fit in one car only, the Camry.

You started the thread because you don't know anything about Hybrid cars.
Then given a schematic and asked for someone to simplify it.
Now you're giving advice!

XRtowcar · 01-09-2013, 09:32 AM

I thought it was driven by a guinea pig in a spinning wheel!

Kieron · 02-09-2013, 12:30 AM

Been in a few of them, taking off is unusual as it uses the electric motor on light loads. My wife though the driver was rolling it of the driveway for instance.

Normal loads at say taking off from traffice lights, it takes off on electric then fairly quickly kicks the petrol engine in depending on how much acceleration is required.

Slowing down turns the electric motor into a Generator, therefor if your in slow stop go traffic, you could potentially use battery power only and it seems cabbies like them.

Hybrid Camry's I've been in Were averaging 5.5l/100 (chauffeur driven) and the hybrid Prius taxi's I've been in all seem to be around the 5 mark.

To be honest, I thought the hybrid Camry's are quite a refined, well built car with a decent interior, pity about the tut side though.

zilo · 02-09-2013, 12:40 AM

The cabbies love them cause the transmissions last forever compared to holden/ford.

FGII-XR6 · 02-09-2013, 01:09 AM

yes they just get hit with a bill for 3.5K when the batteries need replacing. that's a few transmissions

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilo

The cabbies love them cause the transmissions last forever compared to holden/ford.

Jack960 · 02-09-2013, 01:14 AM

My old man has a new one. In terms of economy it's fantastic, his record is just over a 1000km on a tank. I drive it now and then, great daily car if you can handle the lack of every thing else. Like most Toyotas ive driven they are pretty modular and generic, no character at all.
Drives pretty well, ok power considering how economic they are. Can't really feel when the electric motor is on, very smooth. I'll never get used to having a fuel economy gauge instead of RPM though :p

I heard the biggest issue is replacing the batteries when they die.

Kieron · 02-09-2013, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

yes they just get hit with a bill for 3.5K when the batteries need replacing. that's a few transmissions

Spoke to a few Prius cabbie owners now and they are getting 700,000ks+ out of them, after buying them second hand. Biggest cost one owner mentioned was exterior rear vision mirrors costing a few hundred vs picking a Falcon one up from the wreckers for a few bucks.

FGII-XR6 · 02-09-2013, 02:15 AM

I find that hard to believe even Toyota say the battery is only good for 300k

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kieron

Spoke to a few Prius cabbie owners now and they are getting 700,000ks+ out of them, after buying them second hand. Biggest cost one owner mentioned was exterior rear vision mirrors costing a few hundred vs picking a Falcon one up from the wreckers for a few bucks.

Gabbs · 02-09-2013, 09:12 AM

I had one of them for a couple of weeks while waiting for my ute at work. When you brake it charges the battery. It is actually a nice drive and would consider one if they had a boot. Just be careful around pedestrians as they will walk out in front of you.

Kieron · 02-09-2013, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

I find that hard to believe even Toyota say the battery is only good for 300k

Yup, that's what I told them too, although I think it's actually Toyota warranting them to 300K??

They said that's what they are getting though and here's a few links seemingly backing their claims up -

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/604...million-klicks

http://priuschat.com/threads/500-000...s-taxi.102362/

nstg8a · 02-09-2013, 08:00 PM

Gotta remember a cabbie will milk every last bit of life out of those batteries, far beyond what Toyota would deem acceptable use.

I'd like to try a volt for a few weeks, I reckon they're the best compromise for a range extended ev, rather than a true hybrid like the Camry.

Ben73 · 02-09-2013, 09:04 PM

I like the idea of a Hybrid for the missus daily drive. The low fuel consumption would be great.
But I am wary of maintenance and replacement costs for batteries.

Also it would be nice once they start making more interesting cars with hyrbids in them.
I don't like Camrys and Prius's