Hello Outlander Owners - I just completed an In-Depth Article on the Mitsubishi Outlander Phev. This article provides a detailed look at how the new Outlander Heat Pump operates and how it differs from other hybrids and EV’s. I’ll cover HV battery heating and cooling. How to prevent lithium battery “Plating” a permanent damage which occur to lithium batteries during cold weather use. I’ll compare how the Outlander fairs against the Hybrids like the Toyota Rav4. Talk about the dangers of owners switching their AGM 12 volt battery to lithium. Discuss the fact the new Outlander might not be the best plug-in Hybrid for colder regions and how Mitsubishi left out a vital battery component which could leave you and your family stranded in frigid weather. I’ll talk about Innovative Pedal and B-3 / B-5 High Regen, how they work and why they sometimes start the gas engine. PHEV Travel suggestions for added safety and more economy. Finally, introduce “Volting” a Method of Engine / Motor Cycling which can reduce your engine run time up to 40% on trips using less fuel.

Note: Because of graphics used, I authored the story using QuarkXpress and placed it on my non sponsored /Ad-Free personal web site. Please click on the link below - Enjoy Mike

Outlander Phev In Depth Observations - Mike Mas

http://rotory.com/PHEV/outlander/

 

I just came back from a short 280 mile trip to Cherokee with the Outlander. It's important to note, when you selecting charging mode for "Volting" there will be different levels of charging going to the battery to replace range. As an example, if you're traveling 60-65 mph with the air on climbing even a slight hill, the small engine Generator/ Starter is maxed out and you might drive around for 2-5 miles and not see an increase of 1 mile. On the other hand, if your driving around 30 mph it ticks on the mileage quickly. Most of the time It increase around a mile per minute of driving. Also note that when the engine is locked to the front axle in Parallel mode, at slower speeds 40-50 mph, the engine is turning somewhat slow, this will reduce charge rate as well. There has to be a sweet spot somewhere between 40-60 where charge rate is optimized.Where I really enjoy traveling with stored range is on mountains, Cherokee's got some good hills. I don't like listening to the engine scream in climbs. Avoid charging going up a mountain because the engine will be flat out climbing and charging.

If I'm coming to a long climb, I'll jump off charge mode to EV and cruise quietly up the mountain using electrons. I'll leave it in EV mode to recuperate my kinetic energy all the way back down then resume charge if needed. The whole process is great fun to use EV mode and gas, the Outlander gives yo the best of both!

Regards - Mike

 

Hey guys - thanks for the reply's - Concerning the Outlander's Drive battery in Winter, here’s a few battery images from older Outlander’s which incorporated a battery warming PTC heater circuit. As shown on the 2018 Outlander sticker, the battery warmer was standard equipment. You can find it under Mechanical Features; “ Main Battery Warming System”.

While this past battery heater only worked while being plugged in, it allowed owners to pre-heat the battery before departure, allowing the battery to have additional capacity, prevent battery damage and also prevent the drive battery from getting cold-soaked and shutting down.

My research found two different heaters were used, one heater was side mounted on the battery case and the other integrated into the AC cooling system where the AC fan is used to circulate warm air throughout the battery.

For reasons totally unknown, Mitsubishi did not include a drive battery heater in the new 22-23’ generation Outlander. Even though almost every EV uses some form of a drive battery heater for winter they omitted it. As I mentioned it took me months for them to answer my heater questions and they only admitted there was no heater no other details why? Mitsubishi has been tight lipped on this battery heater decision since a cold-soaked battery could leave the occupants stranded with no way to start the car or even heat the cabin which could result in Outlander being liable.

As I mentioned in my article, if you live up North you should give careful consideration if the Outlander PHEV is going to provide the security and safety needed for yourself and family for winter commutes or trips.


Drive Safe - Mike

 

Thanks for the replies - I noticed when charging on warm to hot days only 80-90 Degrees F, the AC compressor is running during charging cycle. You can tell when this happens since there is the typical water draining out of the car. What puzzles me is the condensation drain is dripping by the front of the car rather than under the battery. I'm curious if other owners noted this same thing.

If you switch on the ignition during this AC event there is a "Battery Cooling Warning" displayed on the dash display. Not exactly sure why the temperature would be high enough to run the AC at the Outlander's low level 2 charging rate.

The down side of this AC running mode is it slows the charge rate down even further, since the power to run the AC compressor, evaporator fan in the battery and condenser fan come right off our already too slow charging level. I'll have to check the OBD but the AC mode must draw at minimum 1/3 of the charge rate.

Having said that, owners might consider not charging when returning from a drive. Charging evening or night would allow the battery to self-cool to avoid the AC from running. This would allow faster charging and would be more economical.

Level 1 Charging - In addition to the draw when the AC system is needed to cool the battery, during either a Level 1 or level 2 charging cycle, the processor also has to run the coolant pump and fan to cool the onboard charger. I noted that even during low level 1 / 110 volt charging, the coolant fan and pump are running which drops the level 1 charging even lower than level 1 specs.

Regards - Mike

 

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Looks as if we have a goofy robot putting up a link to a photo site - hopefully an administrator will remove his post.

Thanks Mike

 

Hi Mike. Great article. Thank you.
Here in NZ our 2023 Outlander PHEV's do not have the ability to connect to an app or have Mitsubishi Connect. If you are to let your PHEV sit unattended for say a month or more unplugged from a charger but with say 80% battery do you know if the traction battery charges the 12v daily or on any set schedule. I cannot find anything in the manual on this. Thanks.

 

Hi mike and all, excellent article.

Hi any one have succeed extracting the Battery pack voltage, State of Healt (SOH) , battery pack temperature using the OBDII port and with witch apps. I do not mind paying.

 

Hello all - definitely a cold spell we're having - A tip to help keep the HV battery a bit warmer is, I use a 800 watt Xtreme Marine & RV heater. These coast guard heaters are manufactured by www.xtremeheaters.com This heater is very safe and constructed 100% of 6061 T6 aluminum so there is no chance of fire. I have been using this heater for years in all my RV lithium installations.

By positioning the heater along side the car, the fan blows heated air to the undercarriage where it rises to maintain or warm battery temperature. Since the battery case is aluminum it readily accepts heat (or cold). I position it right by the drivers door as a reminder to move it.

While its certainly not a HV battery heater, it will help to at least maintain temperature of the Outlander battery. On warmer days in the 30-40's F, I actually witnessed the battery on my EV6 increase 3-4 degrees overnight.

Stay Safe - Mike

 

[QUOTE=LowOnCash;337765]Hello Outlander Owners - I just completed an In-Depth Article on the Mitsubishi Outlander Phev. This article provides a detailed look at how the new Outlander Heat Pump operates and how it differs from other hybrids and EV’s. I’ll cover HV battery heating and cooling. How to prevent lithium battery “Plating” a permanent damage which occur to lithium batteries during cold weather use. I’ll compare how the Outlander fairs against the Hybrids like the Toyota Rav4. Talk about the dangers of owners switching their AGM 12 volt battery to lithium. Discuss the fact the new Outlander might not be the best plug-in Hybrid for colder regions and how Mitsubishi left out a vital battery component which could leave you and your family stranded in frigid weather. I’ll talk about Innovative Pedal and B-3 / B-5 High Regen, how they work and why they sometimes start the gas engine. PHEV Travel suggestions for added safety and more economy. Finally, introduce “Volting” a Method of Engine / Motor Cycling which can reduce your engine run time up to 40% on trips using less fuel.

Note: Because of graphics used, I authored the story using QuarkXpress and placed it on my non sponsored /Ad-Free personal web site. Please click on the link below - Enjoy Mike

Outlander Phev In Depth Observations - Mike Mas

http://rotory.com/PHEV/outlander/


After reading your article and trading a few messages on a Facebook forum, it seems that Mitsubishi's answer to the concern over a battery becoming "cold soaked" leading to possible plating was a software update, I am wondering how that is supposed to address the issue it there are no components like the heater that was installed in previous models.

It also occurred to me that a warming mat like those used to start seedlings could be affixed to the outside of the battery and the mat could be plugged in like a block heater in colder weather. I am wondering what the battery case is made from as if it is plastic or metal as metal is much more conductive. I am aware that a class action lawsuit may force Mitsubishi to install a heater of some sort that could work as a block heater as a result of the suit, but for those with an 23 or later Outlander PHEV if they are in cold climates maybe a seedling warming mat would get them by until then. Any thoughts on this idea?

Respectfully,
Peter