Phantom green bars with cold mornings

Dr Ed · 12-02-2007, 09:58 PM

Currently the weather in west Texas fluctuates through various nights between mid 30’s and 60’s. I noticed over the last two weeks of colder nights my blue battery bars have gone to full green during the night. The previous day when I park at 6 pm or so the bars are blue at mid-level. They spontaneously become full green by the next morning when I first start up. Also, they stay green for much longer periods during the day while driving, and I can achieve green with much less braking than in hotter weather. When it’s cold during the day, 40’s-low 50s, I can drive around town for 30 minutes with green level. When it’s warmer I rarely see green during the same driving locations, time and distance. It’s as though the cold weather gives the hybrid battery a boost, but that is contrary to everything I’ve read here about cold weather effects. What’s up with this?

qbee42 · 12-03-2007, 03:08 PM

Cold weather forces your ICE to run more to produce heat for itself and the cabin. While it is running, it charges the battery. With our cold winters here we often see green on the battery monitor. That doesn't explain why you have green at start-up, but that could be just one of the funny things that happens before the computer gets a good read on the SOC.

Tom

fruzzetti · 12-05-2007, 07:14 PM

I'd like to contribute that if the fluctuating outside temperatures are actually making their way into the batteries and cooling or warming them, a part of it is probably the effect of temperature itself on apparent power levels. You'll see the same thing in cell phones or even in batteries. I've seen it in cell phones and even alkaline batteries; you can duplicate the same sort of results by running your mobile phone dead and then throwing it in the freezer (in a ziploc baggie, of course). suddenly the phone thinks the battery has much more power remaining.

the prius has pretty sophisticated software that maintains the batteries at a 30% - 70% charge level to avoid fatiguing them; the car literally doesn't like the idea of "topping off" the hybrid battery system and is smart enough to avoid it whenever possible.

~ dan ~

Dr Ed · 12-05-2007, 10:31 PM

Thanks guys!

Sandra Murphy · 12-06-2007, 10:30 PM

[quote=qbee42;525423]Cold weather forces your ICE to run more to produce heat for itself and the cabin. While it is running, it charges the battery. With our cold winters here we often see green on the battery monitor. That doesn't explain why you have green at start-up, but that could be just one of the funny things that happens before the computer gets a good read on the SOC.

I'm sorry for changing the subject somewhat, but when I saw you were from the north, I have to ask you a question. I've had my 07 Prius since April and I truly enjoy driving it. The problem is, now since it's been so cold, my windows are not going up and down - they're frozen. I took it to the dealership where I bought it, and of course, they say that that happens to lots of cars that have to stay outside. My previous car, a Honda, which I had for 14 yrs. never did that. All they did at the dealership was clean them out. That was last Friday. Today is Wednesday, and they are frozen again. Any ideas concerning this problem?

Thanks!
Sandra

fruzzetti · 12-07-2007, 10:20 AM

Sandra, I suggest that you start a new thread concerning this issue. I'd be willing to bet it would have a lot more exposure and get a few more responses. Windows frozen solid... Is any kind of grease used in this application? If so, consider using gear grease for an old differential. Is water getting into the door and immobilizing it?

Any way you look at it, that's a weird problem. You people who live in areas that actually have weather must have to deal with a lot of random strange stuff, and I bet it's all normal to you

Good luck

12-02-2007, 09:58 PM	#1
Dr Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 183 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Phantom green bars with cold mornings Currently the weather in west Texas fluctuates through various nights between mid 30’s and 60’s. I noticed over the last two weeks of colder nights my blue battery bars have gone to full green during the night. The previous day when I park at 6 pm or so the bars are blue at mid-level. They spontaneously become full green by the next morning when I first start up. Also, they stay green for much longer periods during the day while driving, and I can achieve green with much less braking than in hotter weather. When it’s cold during the day, 40’s-low 50s, I can drive around town for 30 minutes with green level. When it’s warmer I rarely see green during the same driving locations, time and distance. It’s as though the cold weather gives the hybrid battery a boost, but that is contrary to everything I’ve read here about cold weather effects. What’s up with this?

12-06-2007, 10:30 PM	#5
Sandra Murphy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oshkosh, WI Posts: 8 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Cold neighbor in WI [quote=qbee42;525423]Cold weather forces your ICE to run more to produce heat for itself and the cabin. While it is running, it charges the battery. With our cold winters here we often see green on the battery monitor. That doesn't explain why you have green at start-up, but that could be just one of the funny things that happens before the computer gets a good read on the SOC. I'm sorry for changing the subject somewhat, but when I saw you were from the north, I have to ask you a question. I've had my 07 Prius since April and I truly enjoy driving it. The problem is, now since it's been so cold, my windows are not going up and down - they're frozen. I took it to the dealership where I bought it, and of course, they say that that happens to lots of cars that have to stay outside. My previous car, a Honda, which I had for 14 yrs. never did that. All they did at the dealership was clean them out. That was last Friday. Today is Wednesday, and they are frozen again. Any ideas concerning this problem? Thanks! Sandra

12-03-2007, 03:08 PM	#2
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 4,865 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Cold weather forces your ICE to run more to produce heat for itself and the cabin. While it is running, it charges the battery. With our cold winters here we often see green on the battery monitor. That doesn't explain why you have green at start-up, but that could be just one of the funny things that happens before the computer gets a good read on the SOC. Tom

12-05-2007, 07:14 PM	#3
fruzzetti Customization-Obsessed Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hayward, CA USA Posts: 295 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'd like to contribute that if the fluctuating outside temperatures are actually making their way into the batteries and cooling or warming them, a part of it is probably the effect of temperature itself on apparent power levels. You'll see the same thing in cell phones or even in batteries. I've seen it in cell phones and even alkaline batteries; you can duplicate the same sort of results by running your mobile phone dead and then throwing it in the freezer (in a ziploc baggie, of course). suddenly the phone thinks the battery has much more power remaining. the prius has pretty sophisticated software that maintains the batteries at a 30% - 70% charge level to avoid fatiguing them; the car literally doesn't like the idea of "topping off" the hybrid battery system and is smart enough to avoid it whenever possible. ~ dan ~

12-05-2007, 10:31 PM	#4
Dr Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 183 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks guys!

12-07-2007, 10:20 AM	#6
fruzzetti Customization-Obsessed Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hayward, CA USA Posts: 295 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Sandra, I suggest that you start a new thread concerning this issue. I'd be willing to bet it would have a lot more exposure and get a few more responses. Windows frozen solid... Is any kind of grease used in this application? If so, consider using gear grease for an old differential. Is water getting into the door and immobilizing it? Any way you look at it, that's a weird problem. You people who live in areas that actually have weather must have to deal with a lot of random strange stuff, and I bet it's all normal to you Good luck