Jump start another car FROM a Prius?

[davebrownbass]

I stopped jumping cars from any car years ago. For about $100 I bought a battery jumper from Sears. It is basically a 12 volt sealed battery with jumping cables and a 12 volt power outlet.

I have sleep apnea, and use it during power outages to power my CPAP. Small enough to fit in the tool chest of the Prius, if you're a good Samaritan, carry one around.

[jayman]

I use a Canadian Tire booster pack rated 700 cranking amps. Asides from monthly charges to ensure the battery is fully charged, it can sit in the hatch.

I've used it four times now to rescue stalled motorists, and it has had no problem cranking an early 80's vintage "K" car, a mid 90's Dodge minivan, an early 90's Chevy pickup 350 V8, and a tired early 90's Accord.

Yes, after each use you must plug it in to charge it. Although it can be charged through a cig. lighter adapter, they prefer plugging an extension cord directly into the unit.

[Nos402]

I know about the jump start terminal to jump the Prius if it's dead, but can you jump someone else's car from the Prius?

[San_Carlos_Jeff]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Nos402 @ Dec 6 2006, 01:17 PM) [snapback]358555[/snapback]</div>

I know about the jump start terminal to jump the Prius if it's dead, but can you jump someone else's car from the Prius? [/b]

I've jump started my Audi from the Prius. Hooked the jumpers directly to the battery terminals on the Prius and the positive terminal and a ground on the Audi. Worked fine.

I think the user manual recommends against this though.........

[eagle33199]

It's not recommended, as the current draw required to start a car is rather high. If you must do it, hook it up to their battery for 10-15 minutes, then disconnect it and let them try to start it. You don't want their starter to risk blowing the fuse between your 12V system and the HV batteries.

[FBear]

Not really a good idea, as the manual strictly say you should not. The quick draw of power could not only blow a fuse but fry the relays. The small battery in the Prius basically is for running the ECU and the relays for the traction battery, which actually is used to start the ICE.

[benlenz]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FBear @ Dec 6 2006, 01:13 PM) [snapback]358636[/snapback]</div>

Not really a good idea, as the manual strictly say you should not. [/b]

If this is really a problem for folks, you might look into getting one of those jump-start things that you plug into the lighter. I don't know if it's a battery or a capacitor, but if you keep it charged, it's supposed to be able to start a car.

Like-a so . . .
http://www.cssdeals.com/product/___38/cole...wer_source.html

And there's lots of this kind of thing . . . .
http://store.all-cordless.com/12vjumstarba.html
but they seem pretty bulky to carry around all the time.

Then there's this kind of thing . . .
http://www.abccables.com/869-0440.html
that connects direct from lighter to lighter. Anyone have a take on these? Safety? Battery capacity issues?



(Just for the record, I have no connection to, nor am I endorsing, any of the products or retailers linked to. I just found them with a Google search.)

[V8Cobrakid]

It's fine. I've jumped diesel tractors (24v don't ask) trucks, and muscle cars. You hook it all up directly to the battery with the prius on. Let it charge for at least 1 min for larger engines. If the jump car pulls too much amps, the prius will reboot it's 12v side. ( blacking out causing radio and nav to reset due to voltage drop.)

[BAllanJ]

I think to be on the safe side, I'd hook up the prius to the dead car and let it charge the dead car's battery for a few minutes, then disconnect before the (formerly) dead car tries to crank. Although, personnally I'm going even safer by hauling a booster battery around in the trunk.

[kenmce]

Toyota recommends against it, but I have done it repeatedly from both my first and second gen. Pri. For the first gen. I went so far as to get a spare fuse for the 12 volt battery in case I blew it. My local Toyota dealer had never sold one before. I never did use it. That being said, the posters upthread who suggest carrying a dedicated jumper are probably safer.