Watchdog app

[Nibbo]

Hi all

Was considering having a look at the watchdog app just out of curiosity.
Will any ODB2 Bluetooth connector work or is there a special one for the PHEV?
Anyone purchased one that works? If so make / model no would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Bloggsy]

Hi Nibbo - if you go to their website (www.phevwatchdog.net) they have a list of OBD2 readers which they've found has worked.

I went for the Vgate iCar Pro BLE 4.0 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B071D8SYXN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) but there are others (as you will see), and I've not had any issues.

Cheers

Bloggsy

 

[martian]

whats people's experience of dealers letting you plug it in?

is the only way to easily get the battery SOH?

 

[michael8554]

I didn't find out about Watchdog until after I'd bought my PHEV.
But I wouldn't buy another PHEV without first looking at the SOH.
I'd say I was very interested in the car, but wouldn't commit until I'd plugged in an ODB2 device.
If they wouldn't agree I'd consider they were hiding something, and I'd walk away.

 

[Nibbo]

Hi Nibbo - if you go to their website (http://www.phevwatchdog.net) they have a list of OBD2 readers which they've found has worked.

I went for the Vgate iCar Pro BLE 4.0 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B071D8SYXN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) but there are others (as you will see), and I've not had any issues.

Cheers

Bloggsy

Thanks for the links Bloggsy, I have ordered the same device.

 

[user 3575]

Hi,
I am looking into buying a Outlander PHEV in June, does the Watchdog App only work with Androids or will it work with the Apple iPhone 6

 

[wojtur]

Android only

 

[AlexBorro]

But I wouldn't buy another PHEV without first looking at the SOH.

Is there any table for expected SOH x Mileage/Age?

Cheers.

Alex.

 

[michael8554]

I bought a Vgate icar Pro BT3.0

It has very low power consumption 2.7mA so can left plugged in, and it auto shuts off.

 

[richr]

Is there any table for expected SOH x Mileage/Age?

No, because it depends massively on how the battery has been treated. There are many factors, but charging is a major one. Lots of rapid Chademo charges, with topping up to 100% afterwards for example will reduce its life. Nice slow 10A (granny) or 16A (Type 1) once a day after the battery has cooled down and it'll last a long time. Lithium batteries like most other types only have a finite number of charge/discharge cycles, so if you drive long distances mainly on petrol (ie 'self-charging hybrid') then it'll last longer than if you only drive in a city and charge it at each end of the trip.

For example, my 2015 pre-facelift GX4h is on about 64,500 miles (103,000km) and has a SOH of 94%. At this time of year if I don't use the heater I usually get 24 miles EV range showing after a charge, and achieve maybe 22-23 miles in reality (though that depends a lot on how I accelerate away from junctions or whether I have to overtake anything!). I've seen newer cars with far lower SOH, as they've been driven harder and had more charges.

 

[richr]

Is there any table for expected SOH x Mileage/Age?

No, because it depends massively on how the battery has been treated. There are many factors, but charging is a major one. Lots of rapid Chademo charges, with topping up to 100% afterwards for example will reduce its life. Nice slow 10A (granny) or 16A (Type 1) once a day after the battery has cooled down and it'll last a long time. Lithium batteries like most other types only have a finite number of charge/discharge cycles, so if you drive long distances mainly on petrol (ie 'self-charging hybrid') then it'll last longer than if you only drive in a city and charge it at each end of the trip.

For example, my 2015 pre-facelift GX4h is on about 64,500 miles (103,000km) and has a SOH of 94%. At this time of year if I don't use the heater I usually get 24 miles EV range showing after a charge, and achieve maybe 22-23 miles in reality (though that depends a lot on how I accelerate away from junctions or whether I have to overtake anything!). I've seen newer cars with far lower SOH, as they've been driven harder and had more charges.