Neil - I'm using a 400 watt EBH if that helps you figure my usage for any given period of time.
Metro - It is interesting when I first start the Prius after having the EBH on. I get an initial reading (say 143 degrees) and then about 10 seconds after startup I get a 10-15 degree drop in temp followed by a 5-10 degree rise in temp within a few seconds. I read on priuschat that this is a normal occurrence with the Prius when using an EBH (could be that coolant dumping having an effect on temps initially). This sudden drop has not happened prior to not using the EBH.
I'm pretty sure thats just from the hot and cooler coolant mixing. The heat is coming from the corner of the block. The coolant on the far side is going to be cooler. I can say this because my Matrix did the same thing.
I also see the same thing on my Firefly when using the coolant heater. Higher reading right at startup that drops & stablizes within about 30 seconds. Localized heating near the coolant temp sensor while plugged in, is my guess.
Does anyone have any info. on dielectric grease? I have read it is useful to make the male/female EBH connection a little easier to manage. I don't want to put undue stress on my EBH cord (where it is said to wear/fail most often due to pulling on the cord when disconnecting the power cord).
I looked it up online but it doesn't say if you can put the dielectric grease directly on the plug prongs and insert into the female end or if it goes somewhere else. I'm guessing directly on the plug prongs but don't want to make a mistake.
Just filled up and posted an all-time high...66.0 mpg on my MFD! My 90 day is up to 61.79 mpg now and it couldn't come at a better time as I'm heading out for a 3 day road trip to Foxwoods Casino in CT and the AMEC fuel economy challenge in Fonda, NY.
Hopefully mpg will continue to improve and better numbers are on the horizon!
FYI - I attended my local Toyota dealership's 2010 Prius Launch Party last night and it was cool to see the new 2010's on the lot (although they had already sold all but 2 of them)! There were quite a few people there for the Launch Party and it was good to chat with like minded people about the new car...I even scored some nice Prius stickers!
I noticed this week that the local dealer has two gen 3 Priuses on the lot as well. I may have to go take a look one of these days - bug a salesperson for a test drive (with full disclosure: zero plans to buy one).
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