I searched, came across several threads, but didn't see anything that really answered my question. I imagine that upgrading and adding to a stereo system in a Prius would affect mileage. If not only for the battery being drained quicker, thus needing the ICE to recharge, also for the weight gain (which may be extremely negligible). I imagine the extra power consumption would be more of a factor. What I want to know is roughly how much of a loss to expect. I plan to first add a sub (maybe two) and an amp. Eventually I will probably upgrade the head unit, followed by the door speakers (and possibly an amp for them). I'm looking for anyone with actual first-hand experience with this, or someone that would actually know. I want to know an actual MPG loss to expect, depending on what wattage, etc. I'd really like to hear from some 2010 owners that have upgraded stereo components...if any exist yet on here. And some pics too!
I added a 200W powered subwoofer to my 2010 (see thread here http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-audio-electronics/64433-2010-prius-jbl-powered-subwoofer-install-pics-instructions.html#post890232). I only had one tank of gas to compare to before installing it, averaging 5.0 l/100k (47 MPG), and after install I am getting 4.4l/100k (53.5 MPG). Now I'm sure most of the change in my MPG has come from learning how to drive a Prius more effectively but the sub sure doesn't seem to have noticeably increased my consumption despite being turned up full bore most of the time! :rockon:
Unless you go nuts I highly doubt you'll even be able to quantify the difference without serious data collection and experimentation. I see more variability with weather and driving conditions than I do with or without my stereo active. I've tried on a few occasions to disconnect the power to my very large amplifiers and I may have saw an increase in MPG but on other occasions I got less MPG. So I said to hell with it and just turned up the toons and drove. 1900 watts continuous power in a GenII. http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...iamond-audio-midranges-installed-finally.html http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...alth-install-aftermarket-stereo-in-prius.html
As an electrical engineer, I agree with F8L's post. You have to go really nuts with power before you will notice any mileage hit. A bigger issue may be idle draw when the car is off. The Prius has a very small 12V battery. Make sure any added equipment has a very modest power draw when off, or you will soon find yourself with a dead battery. There have been some reported cases where stereo nuts have installed very large systems that exceeded the capacity of the 12V system while running. In these cases the 12V battery was slowly discharged during normal operation. Obviously these were *very* powerful systems. Tom
<Raises hand> Yup. I've done it a few times. I sometimes forget to turn the system off while driving around and just let the 12v battery recharge. I've walked out to my car the next day and found the 12v dead an I required a jump to get it started again. I finally swapped to an Optima Yellowtop battery this year. This is rarely a problem and usually only occured when I got a new Reggaeton CD and would run around blasting the system pretty hard during 90%+ of each trip I took. This never allows the change for the 12v battery to fully recharge during driving.
Cool info... thanks for the reassurance. My biggest concern was just how much quicker the battery would drain, and thus require the engine to burn gas while recharging the hybrid battery. This will be my first Prius and my first hybrid, so I'm not really experienced enough to feel comfortable with some sort of specific expectation. I don't want a competition system that will be heard from a block away, but I definitely have the need to beef it up substantially... AT THE VERY LEAST adding a sub or two. I'm hoping to do as stealth of an install as possible. I'll most likely be getting a custom fiberglass box made to either replace that storage space under the trunk's floor or to fit into those side cubby areas. The mention of idle draw when the power is off has me a little concerned now. I guess I will have to look into that before making any decisions on what to go with.
I think that you have just solved the "lack of noise" problem being a hazard to pedestrians! All Prius automobiles should have s 200W subwoofer as standard equipment. As a safety feature, the car should play a Polka at full volume any time the car is standing still or going less than 30 mph. Keith
hahaha I'll be sure to blast some polka just for you. I'm into a very wide range of music styles, so I'll be sure to hit all the possible frequencies.... for safety's sake. If anyone's interested in melodic/experimental/prog/metal/whatever type music, check out mine! Bioshock on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads (but you have to give all the songs a chance, because there's a nice variety of moods and elements to them all)
Also an electrical engineer, I usually chime in with the additional comment: If one were to put in an amplifier large enough, one could exceed the capacity of the battery and pull enough demand on the inverter that would burnout the inverter. There are documented cases of guys putting amps so large in the autos they burn up the alternator. Some of these guys added a second alternator to get around this problem. Personally, anyone that puts that much audio power in the car should have his head examined - or should I say, will have his head examined when his hearing goes out and bruising of the brain sets in.
I've had 16yrs worth of loud stereo systems in all of my vehicles and my hearing and brain are doing great thank you. I've worked in the high end car audio industry since 1993.
WHAT??? WHAT DID YOU SAY??? SPEAK UP!!! :rockon: My 500 watt amp, listening to some nice trashy Techno with the volume knob pegged at the top will actually slow the car down and cause the engine to labor. Sometimes I see sparks from under the back seat - might be the main batteries frying, I don't know. ound:Actually, I cannot detect any change whatsoever from my upgraded stereo, except CONSIDERABLY better sound. Changing tires will have a much bigger effect on your mileage - I lost a couple of MPGs from the new tires I put on just before the 4th of July (but they work SO much better in every respect I don't mind).
On an energy level, 1 HP is about 746 Watts. So assuming you had a 746 Watt sound system and your mechanical to electrical conversion was 100% efficient (it isn't), it would take 1 HP to power your system. I'm not sure about the conversion efficiency of the MG1 and MG2 when charging the traction battery or the conversion efficiency of the DC-DC converter that charges the 12V battery. A rough approximation might be 500 Watts of electrical power takes 1 HP from the engine. Anyone know the efficiencies of these things? Kris
It would be nice if you would evaluate the 2010 JBL system and recommend some reasonably priced upgrades. As you probably have read the rear speakers are all but detectable. It's not a bad sound but certainly does not sound like 8 speakers.
F8L's sig is a great list of upgrades. I'd love to compare it to mine, because I'm sure it's better. However, for the money I like the Infinity's I chose, but would select a different subwoofer if I had to do it over and a more modern amp with a remote control for the sub. F8L, what's your take on a good mid-priced system?
