"Neutral" What is it?

OZ132 · 09-15-2009, 11:44 AM

Not like neutral in a car with a "Transmission."
So, how does it work?

patsparks · 09-15-2009, 01:03 PM

Turn off the switch on the wall to your TV.
The power station still has power, the TV isn't broken but there is no picture and sound. That is how neutral works in a Prius.
All it does is switch off the power to MG1 & MG2. They can neither capture or release kinetic energy.

PaulHS · 09-15-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsparks

Turn off the switch on the wall to your TV.
The power station still has power, the TV isn't broken but there is no picture and sound. That is how neutral works in a Prius.
All it does is switch off the power to MG1 & MG2. They can neither capture or release kinetic energy.

Pat, this is a great, concise explanation. Nicely done!

David Beale · 09-16-2009, 11:29 AM

Note that this implies some things. For example, if you push or pull a Prius in "N" too fast you can generate pretty high voltages inside the MGs (no load) as well as the inverter. There are warnings in the owners manual about that.

Also, like many other cars, parts don't get properly oiled unless the system is running, so a -short- tow will be ok, but don't expect to tow a long distance without damage! Most of the parts in the HSD will be spinning when you tow it. The engine won't spin.
So, for example, if you want to tow behind your motor home, front wheels off the ground please! Or better yet, perhaps a trailer.

ken1784 · 09-16-2009, 11:55 PM

Both MG1 and MG2 are connected through six each IGBT's(switching devices).
As Pat wrote, all IGBT's are off during N position.

Ken@Japan

nparker13 · 09-17-2009, 02:50 PM

Who has a wall switch for their TV?

a priori · 09-17-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nparker13

Who has a wall switch for their TV?

Aussies, apparently.

And . . . folks who want to be able to cut off all electric flow to electronic devices in order to save $$ and lower pollution.

BlueIce · 09-17-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nparker13

Who has a wall switch for their TV?

I do. Check the standby wattage on the TV nameplate, You will want to add a switch. Its called phatom power your computer, printer, phone chargers etc... all use power if not unplugged or switched off by a wall switch. Added all the watts you maybe surpise how much power to being used for nothing.

Blind Guy · 09-19-2009, 07:27 PM

FYI, when in Neutral, the throttle is also disabled.

David (aka Blind Guy)

kingkongva · 09-20-2009, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blind Guy

FYI, when in Neutral, the throttle is also disabled.

David (aka Blind Guy)

can u glide in neutral? is it safe to do so?
thx

09-15-2009, 11:44 AM	#1
OZ132 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 132 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: N/A Thanks: 17 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	"Neutral" What is it? Not like neutral in a car with a "Transmission." So, how does it work?

09-15-2009, 01:03 PM	#2
patsparks An Aussie perspective Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 9,230 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 126 Thanked 183 Times in 141 Posts Friends: 33	Re: "Neutral" What is it? Turn off the switch on the wall to your TV. The power station still has power, the TV isn't broken but there is no picture and sound. That is how neutral works in a Prius. All it does is switch off the power to MG1 & MG2. They can neither capture or release kinetic energy.

09-16-2009, 11:29 AM	#4
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 2,116 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 3 Thanked 77 Times in 58 Posts Friends: 0	Re: "Neutral" What is it? Note that this implies some things. For example, if you push or pull a Prius in "N" too fast you can generate pretty high voltages inside the MGs (no load) as well as the inverter. There are warnings in the owners manual about that. Also, like many other cars, parts don't get properly oiled unless the system is running, so a -short- tow will be ok, but don't expect to tow a long distance without damage! Most of the parts in the HSD will be spinning when you tow it. The engine won't spin. So, for example, if you want to tow behind your motor home, front wheels off the ground please! Or better yet, perhaps a trailer. __________________ Edmonton Alberta "Pearl" is a 2007 Driftwood Pearl Prius.

09-16-2009, 11:55 PM	#5
ken1784 SuperMID designer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yokohama, JAPAN Posts: 1,996 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: G Thanks: 10 Thanked 274 Times in 126 Posts Friends: 8	Re: "Neutral" What is it? Both MG1 and MG2 are connected through six each IGBT's(switching devices). As Pat wrote, all IGBT's are off during N position. Ken@Japan

09-17-2009, 02:50 PM	#6
nparker13 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CT Posts: 102 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: V Package: Adv. Technology Thanks: 125 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts Friends: 0	Re: "Neutral" What is it? Who has a wall switch for their TV?

09-19-2009, 07:27 PM	#9
Blind Guy Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Springfield Missouri Posts: 292 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: V Package: Adv. Technology Thanks: 197 Thanked 151 Times in 58 Posts Friends: 2	Re: "Neutral" What is it? FYI, when in Neutral, the throttle is also disabled. David (aka Blind Guy)

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