Hybrid power train and air conditioning?

[zeketolliver]

Hybrids have electric AC systems, powered by the HVB, that runs the same regardless if the engine is running. They use a multistage system like those found in many homes, which are very efficient. AC has no impact on mileage that I can find, and it make the car the perfect office: you sit in comfort with the engine off until HVB needs a brief bump.

Plug-ins get an electric heater, so EV miles drop in cold weather. Hybrids use engine heat, only, so you run the engine or shiver.

I hope this is accurate. I have a 2013 honda hybrid. In my hybrid, the AC and heat basically shut-off at stoplights, unless you turn off the "eco" system. I'm guessing/hoping these kinds of annoyance issues have been resolved in the last 9 years.

Let me express again, how big of a disappointment my 2013 Honda Insight has been.

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[fbov]

Minor disadvantage: number of gears reduction is almost non-existent.

I don't know what this means, but it sounds untrue of any CVT.

Major disadvantage: Engine can only provide traction power at final drive ratio (kind of stuck in the top gear), so no direct assist at lower speeds (only through small 100hp generator); increased complexity; presence of clutch (introduces dirt wear byproduct to the oil).

Not completely wrong, just mostly, especially the part about the clutch. Do some research on TRW's power split device (PSD).

It is true that the traction motor "can only provide traction power at final drive ratio." This motor is "kind of stuck in top gear" but the actual ratio (2.91:1) is numerically more like 6th in the 8-speed. But we're speaking of the traction motor, only.

The ICE resides on the other side of the PSD, creating that unique beast, the "3-shaft CVT." ICE RPM is independent of road speed, so you can launch near the torque peak and stay there until you lift. It also prevents analysis that relates ICE and road speed. Some of the ICE torque may also run the generator, but it's all available to the wheels if the control system sends it there.

Complexity doesn't compare. There are no moving parts controlling the transmission, no synchro's, shift forks, shift linkages, solenoids or actuators. All gears are in constant mesh, nothing starts or stops as you accelerate. There are no clutches. It's as simple as mechanical systems get! The control system is another story....

 

[Maverick-xv]

Customers speak volume: "Let me express again, how big of a disappointment my 2013 Honda Insight has been." It was about 2013 Honda Insight Hybrid. Thanks, but No Thanks! I actually test drove Insight PHEV long time ago and just walked away with disappointment and never looked at Honda Hybrids since. That is all that matter and I am glad Ford is using the right eCVT design in my Maverick! My recent Escape Hybrid test drive just confirmed the fact - Ford is building great, pleasure to drive Hybrids. And now the most affordable and most versatile Hybrids on the planet.

 

[Danny0]

Customers speak volume: "Let me express again, how big of a disappointment my 2013 Honda Insight has been." It was about 2013 Honda Insight Hybrid. Thanks, but No Thanks! I actually test drove Insight PHEV long time ago and just walked away with disappointment and never looked at Honda Hybrids since. That is all that matter and I am glad Ford is using the right eCVT design in my Maverick! My recent Escape Hybrid test drive just confirmed the fact - Ford is building great, pleasure to drive Hybrids. And now the most affordable and most versatile Hybrids on the planet.

hello I too have a 2010 Honda Insight (work vehicle) … yes the AC system is a crap design which changed after 2013 with electric AC system on the newer hybrids. My wife has a 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid which is nice and AC runs cold regardless of engine on/off. But highway milage isn’t very great low 30s mpg ,that’s why I’m thinking of upgrading to the maverick for my work vehicle. Plus A pickup is so much more versatile IMO.

 

[Rkbrumbelow]

Except when they do not. Sorry, but you are spreading lies and full of hot air. Honda never had electric or combo AC compressor in Non-Hybrid CRV. Honda is not good with Hybrids either and way behind with BEVs. Why do not you go spread some more boloney on CRV forum or they banned you already? The only good thing Honda is doing - honoring their recall of failed AC compressor clutches (only electrical component in compressor) replacement on out of warranty CRVs. My ICE HVAC running forever when engine stopped, only problem the fan is pushing "no cold" air around after a few minutes. That is why you are interested in Maverick Hybrid, as Honda has nothing to offer to even compare. Honda even managed to screw up McLaren F1 racing team with their horrible engines.

I have an HCH2 with no big battery remaining to speak of and live in the south. I thought AC was rolling the windows down a bit and driving 55mph.

in other words: you are dead on correct sir.

 

[Criss944]

That'd be great if so, and it'd make sense. I don't have a lot of experience with newer cars in this regard. Me and my wife both have 2008s and the compressor is definitely tied to the engine belts.

No belts on the hybrid maverick!

 

[Criss944]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the start/stop system shuts the engine down entirely. I thought it dropped down to only firing on 2 cylinders. If it shuts off entirely, you'll burn through starter motors very fast.

My VW Tiguan shuts off completely. If the A/C compressor is required to keep the car at the desired temp the engine starts.

 

[OdinStormfist]

Does anyone with experience of the system in the escape know how well the AC system works while the engine is off? My previous experience with cars that have auto start/stop is that the AC doesn't really cool well when stuck at long traffic lights in the Texas summer. In most cars the compressor is tied to the engine belts, so they don't work if it's off. That could be even worse on a hybrid if the engine is off for longer stretches.

I hope they have improved that experience in the years of refining this drive train that the Maverick has in common with other vehicles.

i live out here in the desert of the Permian Basin. If you can’t park in a shaded area the easiest way make things easier for your AC. When you park throw in a sun screen on your windshield. Also crack your windows just enough to allow any heat to escape. This alone will drop your cabin temps significantly enough that you will feel the difference. Also your AC will not take as long then to cool the cabin. Just my experience And works for short trips.

 

[rivermaverick]

I realize that this is an old thread - I came across while looking for information on the hybrid Maverick AC.
I haven't been able to find a wiring diagram of the High Voltage system, I'm guessing that the AC compressor is wired directly to the High Voltage battery?

 

[Silver23]

I realize that this is an old thread - I came across while looking for information on the hybrid Maverick AC.
I haven't been able to find a wiring diagram of the High Voltage system, I'm guessing that the AC compressor is wired directly to the High Voltage battery?

obviously it is controlled, but it is powered by the high voltage battery.

 

[icegradner]

I realize that this is an old thread - I came across while looking for information on the hybrid Maverick AC.
I haven't been able to find a wiring diagram of the High Voltage system, I'm guessing that the AC compressor is wired directly to the High Voltage battery?

I assume it is 12v, like everything else not drive train related, so it is powered by the 12v system I believe. It could be powered right of the inverter though, so it could be more than 12v.

 

[Darnon]

I realize that this is an old thread - I came across while looking for information on the hybrid Maverick AC.
I haven't been able to find a wiring diagram of the High Voltage system, I'm guessing that the AC compressor is wired directly to the High Voltage battery?

I assume it is 12v, like everything else not drive train related, so it is powered by the 12v system I believe. It could be powered right of the inverter though, so it could be more than 12v.

It's on the HV system via the DC/DC converter.

 

[huunvubu]

I assume it is 12v, like everything else not drive train related, so it is powered by the 12v system I believe. It could be powered right of the inverter though, so it could be more than 12v.

It is not powered by the 12v battery it is powered by the HV 450 volt battery pack via an inverter to turn that DC 450 volts to AC volts.

It has a bright orange cable going to it. Orange Cable equals very high voltage.

In the picture below the bright orange cable going from the middle back then to the left side and down to the left of the radiator is the HV cable that powers the AC.

This video is queued to the AC power cable:

 

[jsus]

It's on the HV system via the DC/DC converter.

Not sure the rating on these compressors but automotive electric AC compressors can easily use 3+ kW. You're not going to be drawing that from the 12V system, especially not with these tiny 12V batteries.

In general, for systems that were typically powered by an ICE, the electric version is probably going to be driven by the HVB. If it's typically driven by 12V even on an ICE vehicle, it's still 12V on a hybrid/EV. ICE AC is typically belt driven off the ICE.

 

[Automate]

Not sure the rating on these compressors but automotive electric AC compressors can easily use 3+ kW. You're not going to be drawing that from the 12V system, especially not with these tiny 12V batteries.

In general, for systems that were typically powered by an ICE, the electric version is probably going to be driven by the HVB. If it's typically driven by 12V even on an ICE vehicle, it's still 12V on a hybrid/EV. ICE AC is typically belt driven off the ICE.

By the diagram @Darnon posted. He meant the AC compressor is driven by the HV battery but it is connected to the HV side of the DC-DC converter NOT the 12 V side.

Also the compressor is variable speed. So depending upon the cooling load, it will run at different speeds.

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