Arduino controlled automatically actuated grill block

[NoD~]

Just checking in to see how this turned out. Happened to be that I ended up with a Arduino for the same project. Thought I had a stroke of genius... turns out I already read through this and forgot! lol.

[Daox]

I havent taken any time to work on it since the last update. Its been cold, so I just have been running my full grill block all winter long. I'll probably get some more motivation when it starts warming up.

[Shortie771]

I just completed my adjustable grill block which closes/opens based on wind speed (now that I think about it, a strong headwind could mess things up)... The reason I did it this way though is because I am not familiar with the electronics needed to do what you are working on. Mybe I will try to alter mine when you get yours completed (maybe with a How-To?). This is a great idea and I hope everything ends up working out for you. I look forward to seeing the end result.

[Cobb]

Daox, you own a hybrid right? Do think this is even necessary? I think the weight it would add and power it would consume may out weigh any savings. Like you I have almost 90% of my grill blocked year round with no problems.

Maybe I am not doing it right?!?!?!?!

[Daox]

The full grill block works alright in winter as long as I don't get on the highway (60 mpg +). If that happens, I have to pull out one of the slats of pipe insulation and I'm okay. In summer, I take out another slat of the pipe insulation and just run the lower block.

Is this acceptable? Yeah it probably is, but I want to take it to the next level. I only have a 7 mile commute and in winter even with the FULL grill block I don't get up to temperature, and if I want heat that keeps the coolant temp even lower. So, I am looking for a full grill block plus more. I haven't exactly figured out what more is yet, but I am going to do more. I am thinking I may insulate the engine block in addition to a belly pan. If I do this, I am going to need additional cooling and that is where the actuated grill block comes in. The warm up time and heat retaining abililty should noticably increase mileage on my short commute. The first 5 minutes of my commute are always horribly low compared to any of the other segments.

[Cobb]

Sounds like the prius runs hotter than the Insight. I have an sg2 and if its below 60 degrees out the temp stays at 179 once warmmed up. It seems to warm up fairly fast and holds its temperature til I bake. Then it can go down to 170s. I guess the prius 2nd cooling system for the hybrid system makes some heat of its own?

In the summer I see it go up to 202 without the ac on, then the fan comes on and cools it right down. WIth the ac on, any setting it stays about 184-186 with the same gril lblockage.

For fun I tried it totally blocked off and it did run the cooling fan frequently, but didnt see too much mroe than unblocking what I have.

[Daox]

Mine runs mid to high 180s once fully warmed up. The thing is the Prius does a LOT more engine off coasting than the Insight, so the engine tends to cool down fast, especially if you want a little bit of heat or defrosting. I think this is why Toyota went to the exhaust heat exchanger on the 3rd gen Prius versus the coolant thermos on the 1st and 2nd gen. The exhaust heat exchanger can help keep the engine up to temperature in winter and provide heat to the cabin.

[Cobb]

There are a few guys on the insight forum who made an engine blanket. WIth the cvts the engine still rolls and the water pump still pumps, so coasting to a stop the water temp does go down. Ive actually sat in traffic in the early mornings at idle with the heate ron and watched the water temp go from 180 to 137 and stay there til it picks up again.

Ive added water wetter to my cooling system too. I think this summer Ill drain it and use just water and water wetter so I can run more grill block.

[toc]

How's it going Daox?

[Daox]

Haven't worked on the block at all since the last update. I've just been running the car with the lower grill fully blocked and the upper grill open.