"Cigarette lighter jump starters"

Jennjay · 08-08-2006, 09:01 PM

Will these work? You are supposed to put into socket in both cars and wait 5 to 10 minutes. Curious about using the Prius as a donor for others in need and also as a receiver to charge our 12v batteries, just in case. Thanks for the input or is it the output ( bad joke)

rufaro · 08-08-2006, 10:30 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jennjay @ Aug 8 2006, 06:01 PM) [snapback]299920[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Will these work? You are supposed to put into socket in both cars and wait 5 to 10 minutes. Curious about using the Prius as a donor for others in need and also as a receiver to charge our 12v batteries, just in case. Thanks for the input or is it the output ( bad joke)
[/b]

No reply to your question, but if bad jokes were to become a disqualification for PC posters, the qualifying posting membership hereabouts would be VERY low indeed!

**efusco** · 08-08-2006, 10:52 PM

It will not work in the Prius unless you make the 12v outlet 'active'.
See instructions at:
http://coastaletech.com/power_outlet_mod.htm

jayman · 08-08-2006, 11:12 PM

Well, I suppose they're better than nothing, but I doubt most people would want to wait that long to get their car started. And as Dr Fusco stated, the "cigarette" socket is usually dead until the car is in Acc or Ready mode.

For about $30 more I got my 700 amp Canadian Tire car booster. It has built-in polarity protection, and allows an impatient person to start cranking at once. I've used mine several times now to boost dead cars and pickups, and it works fine. Many car dealerships prefer to use a booster box over a conventional jump start, at least around here.

It's important to look after a booster box though. Charge it monthly, and immediately after use.

Jennjay · 08-09-2006, 06:29 AM

But if I were boosting another car, my car would be on and the socket would be active. I figured that since this is just a trickle charge, I could still be a good samaritan and not worry much about draining the 12v battery. I guess it would not work if I needed a boost, though

daronspicher · 08-09-2006, 08:31 AM

I jump started my wife's car using the red post thing under the hood on the Prius. Since then, I've discovered the 12v battery in the rear passenger compartment and will jump right from that if need be next time.

Someone on here said that's a small battery by 12v standards, and I agree. I just think the whole "Jumping the other car" thing will work a lot better from that than it did from the positive post thing.

David Beale · 08-09-2006, 09:33 AM

As has been posted before, the 12V battery in the Prius is -NOT- a "car battery". It's not designed to start engines. Drawing that much current from it -will- damage it, seen by shortened life. All it does in the Prius is activate the electronics and the relays that connect the 208V battery to the powerplant.

As for the question posted the cig. lighter "charger" (which is what it really is) will work with the Prius. You will be able to charge another cars' battery, but your Prius will have to be on - and this will typically take 10-20 min. of "on time". Also, if you can still turn on your Prius (which I doubt if the 12V battery is dead), another car can charge the Prius 12 V battery. The posted mod. above will fix the problem of cig. lighter off due to battey dead, so with this mod. you can recover the Prius if the 12 V battery goes dead with just a cig. lighter cord. Easier than opening the hood, especially when it's -20 and snowing!

I'm sure most of you know, but I'll say it again: if the 12 V battery is dead you will not be going anywhere. It's required to connect the relays that provide the 208V "traction battery" power that is used to start the engine and/or start the car moving.

jdjeep98 · 08-09-2006, 09:38 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Aug 9 2006, 09:33 AM) [snapback]300144[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

As has been posted before, the 12V battery in the Prius is -NOT- a "car battery". It's not designed to start engines. Drawing that much current from it -will- damage it, seen by shortened life. All it does in the Prius is activate the electronics and the relays that connect the 208V battery to the powerplant.

As for the question posted the cig. lighter "charger" (which is what it really is) will work with the Prius. You will be able to charge another cars' battery, but your Prius will have to be on - and this will typically take 10-20 min. of "on time". Also, if you can still turn on your Prius (which I doubt if the 12V battery is dead), another car can charge the Prius 12 V battery. The posted mod. above will fix the problem of cig. lighter off due to battey dead, so with this mod. you can recover the Prius if the 12 V battery goes dead with just a cig. lighter cord. Easier than opening the hood, especially when it's -20 and snowing!

I'm sure most of you know, but I'll say it again: if the 12 V battery is dead you will not be going anywhere. It's required to connect the relays that provide the 208V "traction battery" power that is used to start the engine and/or start the car moving.
[/b]

Hmmm... Has anyone thought about a mod that might momentarily enable the DC/DC converter that keeps the 12V battery charged? Even if it was a button or spring loaded key switch or something, it could be used to boot the car if the 12V battery was dead, couldn't it?

Just thinking out loud...

David Beale · 08-09-2006, 11:40 PM

Good thought, but where are you going to get 12V to connect the 208V to the converter if the 12V battery is dead? You have to activate 12V relays. They are run by a sophisticated cct with ground fault detection as well.

Here's a better thought - get a "Battery Tender". You can connect it permanently to the 12V battery. When you leave your vehicle for extended periods, plug in the tender. It's a low current trickle charger with smarts built in.

I know, I know, you then have to plug in your vehicle. We don't have a problem with that in "the Great White North"

, as that's normal in winter. Many parking spaces have outlets.

bruceha_2000 · 08-10-2006, 03:26 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jennjay @ Aug 8 2006, 09:01 PM) [snapback]299920[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Will these work? You are supposed to put into socket in both cars and wait 5 to 10 minutes. [/b]

Might work to jump a non-Prius in Florida, but likely not in cold winter climates. If the battery is really dead, 10 minutes of trickle from another 12V won't do much. My experience is that you need a good connection to the vehicle doing the jumping AND you have to rev its engine to get the alternator to put out enough power to jump the other vehicle.
Now jumping a Prius, that's another thing entirely. It won't take much assuming you have the Coastal mod or connect directly to the jump points or the battery.

08-08-2006, 11:12 PM	#4
jayman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 6,415 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	Well, I suppose they're better than nothing, but I doubt most people would want to wait that long to get their car started. And as Dr Fusco stated, the "cigarette" socket is usually dead until the car is in Acc or Ready mode. For about $30 more I got my 700 amp Canadian Tire car booster. It has built-in polarity protection, and allows an impatient person to start cranking at once. I've used mine several times now to boost dead cars and pickups, and it works fine. Many car dealerships prefer to use a booster box over a conventional jump start, at least around here. It's important to look after a booster box though. Charge it monthly, and immediately after use. __________________ 2004 Toyota Prius "B", Tideland Pearl 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser 5AT "C", Sun Fusion

08-09-2006, 09:33 AM	#7
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,547 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	As has been posted before, the 12V battery in the Prius is -NOT- a "car battery". It's not designed to start engines. Drawing that much current from it -will- damage it, seen by shortened life. All it does in the Prius is activate the electronics and the relays that connect the 208V battery to the powerplant. As for the question posted the cig. lighter "charger" (which is what it really is) will work with the Prius. You will be able to charge another cars' battery, but your Prius will have to be on - and this will typically take 10-20 min. of "on time". Also, if you can still turn on your Prius (which I doubt if the 12V battery is dead), another car can charge the Prius 12 V battery. The posted mod. above will fix the problem of cig. lighter off due to battey dead, so with this mod. you can recover the Prius if the 12 V battery goes dead with just a cig. lighter cord. Easier than opening the hood, especially when it's -20 and snowing! I'm sure most of you know, but I'll say it again: if the 12 V battery is dead you will not be going anywhere. It's required to connect the relays that provide the 208V "traction battery" power that is used to start the engine and/or start the car moving. __________________ Edmonton Alberta "Pearl" is a 2007 Driftwood Pearl Prius.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Jump starter and "this vehicle is protected by..." sticker question	ystasino	Prius Modifications	8	05-07-2007 09:45 AM
12v power or 'cigarette lighter' broken	jsplash	Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	19	12-29-2006 12:56 AM
Cigarette lighter?? Aux adapter and iPod?	StarBrite310	Prius Main Forum	7	01-30-2006 02:07 AM
Car cigarette lighter ports?	Brian Withun	Prius Main Forum	11	10-14-2005 10:24 AM
Cigarette Lighter Location?	brianmcdonald	Audio and Electronics	3	03-23-2004 03:50 PM

08-08-2006, 09:01 PM	#1
Jennjay Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 142 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	Will these work? You are supposed to put into socket in both cars and wait 5 to 10 minutes. Curious about using the Prius as a donor for others in need and also as a receiver to charge our 12v batteries, just in case. Thanks for the input or is it the output ( bad joke)

08-08-2006, 10:52 PM	#3
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,207 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	It will not work in the Prius unless you make the 12v outlet 'active'. See instructions at: http://coastaletech.com/power_outlet_mod.htm

08-09-2006, 06:29 AM	#5
Jennjay Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 142 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	But if I were boosting another car, my car would be on and the socket would be active. I figured that since this is just a trickle charge, I could still be a good samaritan and not worry much about draining the 12v battery. I guess it would not work if I needed a boost, though

08-09-2006, 08:31 AM	#6
daronspicher Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,205 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I jump started my wife's car using the red post thing under the hood on the Prius. Since then, I've discovered the 12v battery in the rear passenger compartment and will jump right from that if need be next time. Someone on here said that's a small battery by 12v standards, and I agree. I just think the whole "Jumping the other car" thing will work a lot better from that than it did from the positive post thing.

08-09-2006, 11:40 PM	#9
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,547 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Good thought, but where are you going to get 12V to connect the 208V to the converter if the 12V battery is dead? You have to activate 12V relays. They are run by a sophisticated cct with ground fault detection as well. Here's a better thought - get a "Battery Tender". You can connect it permanently to the 12V battery. When you leave your vehicle for extended periods, plug in the tender. It's a low current trickle charger with smarts built in. I know, I know, you then have to plug in your vehicle. We don't have a problem with that in "the Great White North" , as that's normal in winter. Many parking spaces have outlets.