Toyota Prius: Prius Electrical System

When I first received my '04 (in October '03, days after
they became available), it seemed to make sense to
prepare for the eventuality of a dead 12V battery. It's
the high-voltage battery that starts the engine, but the
electronics have to be running from a little power
provided by a modest 12V source. I already had an
adequate solar panel with the correct output, and made
up a small battery pack using NiMH cells. With a
switchable isolation circuit, the car keeps that battery
pack charged, and at the airport the solar panel went on
the dash to keep it charged.

The idea was that if the car's 12V lead-acid battery
were to die, I could use the little battery pack to kick
off the electronics and get the car started. I felt very
smart.

Well, more than four years have passed. There's never
been a problem, even with the car remaining dormant for
many weeks, things left on overnight, etc.

In fact, there's never been any problem of any sort,
other than an odd beeping when the door is open,
ignition OFF and lights OFF.




Just Me wrote: 

"Just Me" <net> wrote in
news:com:
 

I believe the 12v aux outlet on the Prius is not even connected to the
electrical system until the car is "on", so this would not work unless the
outlet is rewired. Coastaletech.com sells a kit to do this for the 1G
Prius.

Just Me wrote: 

This won't work for one simple reason - the lighter power sockets aren't
'live' unless the car is on.

Walt Morris

When the Prius is off, the high-voltage battery is physically
disconnected from the rest of the system by a relay, so you'd have to
connect the charging point between the battery and that solenoid. Also,
since the HV system runs close to 300V, connecting a charger like that
directly to it would probably cause some interesting results.

In article <com>, orion61
@comcast.net says... 

In article <com>,
"Just Me" <net> wrote:
 

It would charge the small 12v battery that "starts" the car, that's all.

There is no pathway to the traction batteries until and unless the car
has been started and is in Ready mode.

Along with the Prius, AFAIK most cars now have accessory outlets which
are dead when the car is off. Such cars would need to be modified
before they could accept a charge through their outlets.

On Sat, 12 Jan 2008 16:05:46 -0600, richard schumacher
<net> wrote:
 

Don't tell Brokeback McNasty that. He thinks he's a Dr. Einstein!

Hey, Ali-G. How'd that abuse thing work out for ya?

ROFLMAO

On Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:55:24 -0500, Mr. G <com> wrote: