Prius as an emergency response vehicle
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Some possibilities:
Martin County, FL, Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jenell Atlas (url unknown)
Northern Illinois University campus police: http://www.niu.edu/PubAffairs/RELEASES/ ... brid.shtml
Northpinellas FL (Tampa/Saint Pete; also names other departments): http://www.sptimes.com/2005/11/07/North ... _qui.shtml
Martin County, FL, Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jenell Atlas (url unknown)
Northern Illinois University campus police: http://www.niu.edu/PubAffairs/RELEASES/ ... brid.shtml
Northpinellas FL (Tampa/Saint Pete; also names other departments): http://www.sptimes.com/2005/11/07/North ... _qui.shtml
thanks for the pointers!
Thanks for the pointers to the Clearwater and the NIU Police departments. Both were very generous with sharing information about how they've modifed their vehicles. The bottom line is that it seems pretty doable (since they've done it and are very happy). Led lights are clearly the way to go, as FirePA63 pointed out. As it turns out, the big draw is the radio. The radio I need can draw 15 Amps when transmitting and even has a substantial load just receiving. So, the radio cannot be on with the car not in "ready" mode. But that's really not a surprise since I've run the 12V battery down with just the FM radio on (with the car not in ready mode).
I'll post an update when I get things installed and working.
Thanks for the pointers to the Clearwater and the NIU Police departments. Both were very generous with sharing information about how they've modifed their vehicles. The bottom line is that it seems pretty doable (since they've done it and are very happy). Led lights are clearly the way to go, as FirePA63 pointed out. As it turns out, the big draw is the radio. The radio I need can draw 15 Amps when transmitting and even has a substantial load just receiving. So, the radio cannot be on with the car not in "ready" mode. But that's really not a surprise since I've run the 12V battery down with just the FM radio on (with the car not in ready mode).
I'll post an update when I get things installed and working.
why an suv?
Hmmm. I'm not sure how a bigger, more fuel-hungry vehicle would help me. I'm an assistant chief with an ambulance squad. I need to get to emergency scenes safely, I need to communicate with other responders and with the dispatcher, and I need to bring a modest amount of equipment with me. My Prius seems ideal.
The Clearwater Police department uses their Prius fleet for detectives and administrators. Again, a perfect fit. Unless you're chasing the bad guys while they're shooting at you, a Prius seems like a good choice. And if they're shooting at you, an SUV may not be enough protection...
Hmmm. I'm not sure how a bigger, more fuel-hungry vehicle would help me. I'm an assistant chief with an ambulance squad. I need to get to emergency scenes safely, I need to communicate with other responders and with the dispatcher, and I need to bring a modest amount of equipment with me. My Prius seems ideal.
The Clearwater Police department uses their Prius fleet for detectives and administrators. Again, a perfect fit. Unless you're chasing the bad guys while they're shooting at you, a Prius seems like a good choice. And if they're shooting at you, an SUV may not be enough protection...
A chief’s car or battalion commander's vehicle, unless it needs to haul an inordinate amount of support equipment, is not a first responder vehicle. As such it doesn't need to be as powerful, or heavy duty as a first responder vehicle.hyperion said:
Lots of people are unaware that the average Crown Victoria in police use is highly modified with regard to batteries and charging system, to support all the electrical goodies they have on board. Usually that means 2 batteries under the hood, upgraded alternators, upgraded wiring, power points installed at the factory to pull power from for the light bar, radios, computer systems, cameras etc. Even the interior trim is different on these cars than even the most stripped CV you can buy at your local Ford dealer (which isn't all that stripped compared to a lot of other cars).
The Prius is unique, if left in Ready, it has plenty of power to offer to light bars, radios, auxiliary equipment, etc. If the car were to sit at an emergency site for a period of time the FE would tank because the ICE would be starting up to top off the HV battery. In any other mode it wouldn't be so good. However, other than that, it should be a fine vehicle for chiefs use.
15A should be fine. Heck, the 2 outlets are fused at 15A each and are rated safe at 10A (120W). You could add more aux battery in the hatch. Just be sure it is safe for indoor use (sealed) such as a gel cell, preferably the vented type, so that you'd have a longer operating time when the car is not in READY. Have a voltmeter installed so you know when you're getting down to a low charge. In a pinch, the AVC diagnostics screen has a voltage display.
Note though, the car only runs the ICE as needed, so you can keep it in READY for long periods of time without waste of fuel.
Note though, the car only runs the ICE as needed, so you can keep it in READY for long periods of time without waste of fuel.
With an 800 watt load, the ICE will run for about 2-3 minutes out of every 15 minutes according to Richard Factor's test data. It would take a lot of lights and radios to make an 800 watts continuous load (58a @ 13.8v). Of course, that amount of load would have to be taken directly from the 12v battery, not the accessory outlets.DanMan32 said:
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