FAQs

Q: What is the difference between Nexcell V1 and V2.5

A:  We've learnt from the experience and developed Nexcell V2.5 to combat the special cases including but not limited to:

  1. corrosion causing blade imbalance
  2. brakes fading causing battery overcharge
  3. cold temperature reduce fuel efficiency

We also design V2.5 to deliver better MPG when comparing to V1.

 

Q: How Nexcell lithium gives more MPG?

A:  This is called SOC (state of charge) manipulation, Nexcell lithium battery runs at a higher voltage range and always keep the SOC above 60%, when the SOC is above 60%, the hybrid controller works to discharge the battery by using more battery power (and less gasoline) even during normal cruise. This power increases to around 30A (~6kW) at 70% SOC. Checkout following link for more detail: eea-phev.org

 

Q: What is the MPG gain?

A: It depends on how good you are utilizing the electric power, the customers report back with at least 10% MPG gain in city and highway driving combine. Please check out our EV range test videos to find out the maximum potential. 

 

Q: Are Project Lithium packs a good way to save money?

A: While our pack will likely improve your MPG and save you money, the nature of our packs is not just a product, but a project that we continually refine and improve upon while minimizing the upgrade costs to you. This means that if you, a friend or family member likes to do basic car repair and are comfortable with safely doing the install and sometimes pulling your pack for the latest upgrade and you have a back up car to handle shipping delays beyond our 24 hour processing time our project will continue to save you money. However, if you or a friend or family member can't do an install/pulling of your pack and you have to take your car to a shop to have the pack pulled for upgrades and you don't have a backup car to handle shipping delays, this will cost you more money than it will save you and you're better off buying a rebuilt OEM with free replacement warranty or a brand new OEM pack instead.

 

Q: How can I get more MPG with lithium pack

A: Since you now have possess more usable electricity, the key to get more MPG is to utilize electricity as much as you can, one easy way is switching your hybrid system indicator to the following screen and throttle the peal to not exceed the center line. It is especially useful in slow traffic or parking situation.

energy meter

 

Q: What is the longevity of the Nexcell battery pack?

A: Electric car battery makers have only very recently shifted to using LiFePo4 battery chemistry for its affordability, longevity and safety. To date there's no signs that this battery chemistry will have a shorter lifespan than its predecessors and all signs point to it having a longer lifespan and being a significant advancement. Here is a video showcase the one of the first batch of the Nexcell pack with 200k miles.

 

Q: Do I need to make any modifications to my car to support the use of lithium?

A: There is no requirement for any changes to the software or hardware as each blade of the battery contains a specialized balancing circuit that ensures the optimal performance of each lithium cell. The vehicle is designed to operate the new battery in a similar manner as the NiMH battery but at a higher voltage, which encourages the usage of electric power.

 

Q: Can Nexcell lithium improve my 0~60 time?

A: Yes, unlike NiMH, lithium will be able to provide electric motor with more than 30 seconds of peak power at full throttle therefore improve the 0~60 time.

 

Q: Can Nexcell lithium turn my Prius into a Tesla fast?

A: No, even with Lithium, it is still Prius slow.

  

Q: How do I measure the voltage on the special blade with terminal on both side?

A: You can obtain a voltage reading by connecting a piece of copper busbar to the far side of the special blade. The copper busbar acts as a simulation of the service plug connection, completing the circuit and allowing for voltage measurement.

Q: What is your motivation to create and fund this project?

A: It all started with the triangle of death on my Prius 8 years ago. We started looking and researching for a more affordable solution that would not only be a battery replacement, but also serve as an upgrade for my Prius. 

   We started testing with different lithium chemistry: Lithium Titanate Li4Ti5O12, Lithium Cobalt Oxide LiCoO2, Lithium Manganese Oxide LiMn2O4, Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide LiNiMnCoO2...etc. Quickly we realized that normal Lithium chemistry cells do not meet the safety criteria,  are not cost effective and can not meet the longevity demands compared to a Prius standard NimH battery. The only way to accomplish my goal is to use high power LiFePO4 cell. We traveled around the world and visited many trade shows in hopes of locating a good source and discovered a company named Nexcell. Nexcell exhibited and proved to have all the knowledge and experience to meet my requirements with the skill/know-how to put our ideas into motion. We also created the Dr. Prius App (iOS and Google Play stores) during this difficult time to monitor the battery during all the extensive testing phases and as it turns out, the App became the main source of funding towards this entire battery project. We can say this is just like a crowdfunding project but on a different level. 

 

Q: Why should I pick Nexcell Lithium over stock NiMH from Toyota?

A: For us it's an easy answer as we have been testing the Lithium pack for the past few years and experience first hand the benefit from better MPG, better acceleration and never running out of charge at the hill again. If you reach out to any of our beta testers on social media, you will learn that they share the exact same experience as we do. Also, our retail and wholesale price are both lower than what Toyota can offer. We don't see any reason you shouldn't switch except that NiMH has been there for 23 years with good track record, only time can tell the difference on that.

 

Q: Can I mix Nexcell lithium battery blade with stock NiMH battery?

A: No you can't mix Lithium with NiMH, Lithium has higher nominal voltage and different voltage curve.

 

Q: What safety testing and certifications does your product have? 

A: CE, ROHS2, IEC, UN38.3 (certification are available in Documentation tab). more than 40 prototypes are currently testing all around the world in extreme conditions and weather/temperature variances. Some testers race their Prius, some power their home with their Prius. For more detailed information, please visit  PriusChat.com

 

Q: I want to learn more and find out more about this Lithium solution.

A: There has been years of extensive testing and research which is the backbone to the quality of a battery product that I am proud to bring to everyone.  Below are a few links to very active forum discussions that contribute to the final product. Please feel free to take a look and join in on the conversation:

https://priuschat.com/threads/dr-prius-packs-less-than-a-year-away.220733/

https://priuschat.com/threads/rainbow-prius-hybrid-powered-by-lithium.212485/page-9#post-3090119

https://priuschat.com/threads/lithium-prototype-test.220691/

https://www.torquenews.com/8113/refresh-your-old-toyota-prius-new-li-ion-battery-pack/amp

 

 

Q: Will the Nexcell Lithium pack becomes even cheaper?

A: Yes, with Lithium price continue to drop, we will reflect the saving to the customers, we already beat both Toyota's retail and wholesale price.

 

Q: How easy it is to swap the old pack with lithium pack?

A: If the user has experienced working on car, then it should be a couple of hours of project, if the user doesn't have experience nor tool working on car, then please seek help from repair shop or someone that has done this before. Checkout YouTube videos by searching keyword "Prius battery repair" to find out if this is the job for you.

 

Q: What is the technical specification of the battery V1.5?

A:

Prius pack capacity (14 blades): 1.456 kWh
blade capacity: 7000+ mAh
usable capacity: 5600+ mAh (80% compare to NiMH at 40%)
blade nominal voltage: 16v
blade voltage range: 14v ~ 18.25v
Max discharge power (<= 30sec): 30C or 210 Amp
Max discharge power (<= 3sec): 80C or 560 Amp
storage temperature (1 month): -20C ~ +45C
storage temperature (3 month): -10C ~ +45C
Recommend storage temperature: +15C ~ +35C
product weight: 1100g (compare to NiMH at 2070g)

Above result were obtained in the following condition:
Temperature: 15~35C
Relative Humidity: 45~85% RH
Atmospheric Pressure: 86~1066 KPa