Dead Prius plug-in

Can you leave the car running and have it plugged in at the same time? To no waste fuel and charge the 12v?

 

no, it won't start if it's plugged in, and won't charge if you plug it in when it's in ready.

 

The 12V battery charges while the HV battery is charging anyway. But of course to start the HV battery charging, the 12V system has to be good enough to get it going...

 

good point, i hadn't thought of that.

 

Another moral - keep the manual handy.
BTW I think the car will beep on you if you try to lock it when the hatch is not completely closed.

 

You can switch off the hatch light. Cheap insurance, who needs lights.

Birthday/XMas suggestions:




and:



Much better in the long run than this:

 

The Prius has a very puny battery, because you can start one with 9 flashlight batteries.
After all.....you're not really 'starting' the car, but rather booting it up.

Make sure the AAA people know how to jump start the Prius, before you set them loose inside your engine compartment.
---just sayin.

You might want to consider one of these:
Three pocket-size jump starters - CNET


Good luck!

 

Is it just me: I have this picture that the AAA guys are going to show up with...: AAA batteries. Yeah, just me.

 

Or change the interior lights to LED. Battery will not drain overnight maybe even two days.

 

Has anyone successfully changed all their interior lights to LEDs? If so, did you keep the same color temperature or are they bright white LEDs? Know of bulb size? That's a great thought.

 

the thing is - the battery needs a load on it to more accurately determine its health - and a volt meter can't provide that.

Once the Prius' 12v aux batter is allowed to drain flat - you CAN charge it .... BUT ... being that it's a pathetically weak 12v battery to begin with - it's just a matter of time before you realize that draining it causes it to be mortally wounded. It ain't no deep cycle marine configuration - and many a pc member (that has done the same thing - including yours truly) can tell you that generally the best thing to do is just replace it.

yea - you're not the 1st person (including yours truly) told by the dealership, "no warranty claim necessary .... have a nice day!!" Then in either a few weeks or months ... warranty expires ... and you find your self unable to start. But you never know ... you may get lucky. As Clint Eastwood once said, "do you feel luck? ... well, do ya ..... ? " If your aux battery was only drained for a really really short time - you may get lucky.
.

 

punk?

 

Hi all--I'm a new happy owner of a used 2012 PIP. Not so happy tonight trying to charge the 12 v. battery that died because I apparently left my lights on. Doh. I don't have a charge station, so engine has been running for 30 min. after jump-starting. I was told 30 min. is enough, but I'm skeptical, esp. seeing that someone on this thread said that draining a Prius 12 v. can inflict a mortal wound. I purchased an extended warranty, so hopefully that will be covered. But meanwhile--advice on charge time? Feels too dangerous to drive in this CA. storm in mountains, so just running the engine while I dry off inside. Thanks!

 

welcome!
it needs 8 hours to charge from the engine. but it also charges when plugged in.

 

Your best bet would be smart charger, 4 amp range. It'll probably take about 8 hours. Or as much as 12 hours.

 

So many jumping tips and shenanigans on here when the PiP charging cable charges the 12V as well...


iPhone ?

 

20 minutes is enough. 30 minutes if you're paranoid. If 30 minutes isn't enough then it's time to replace your 12v. I'm carrying a portable battery jumper. Charge it once a month and toss in the trunk.

 

see post #35.

 

Thanks, all! Helpful community. Bisco--8 hrs w/engine running to charge the 12 v.? I left engine running a little over an hour in park, and it started up, but don't know if that means it's fully charged; haven't driven yet. Since I don't yet have a way to plug in the PIP at home, I like the idea of a portable battery charger (I take it that's for 12 v. only), but the Geico guy's portable didn't work. Had to use jumper cables. Not sure if that's a sign of mega-drained battery or indication it's on its way out.