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Some A/C questions..

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by neon tetra, Jul 25, 2010.

  1. neon tetra

    neon tetra Member

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    First off, if the front window defogger is selected, is there any difference whether the A/C button is on or off? It seems to be on regardless, as long as the defogger is selected.
    In my old car, I would usually just have the vented air (non A/C) come out there so it's not blowing right at me. In the Prius, it seems to automatically turn on the A/C (even though it doesn't show that it does so on the screen).

    Also, do you think it's bad to sleep in the car w/ the A/C running? The engine only starts for a short while every so often, and it doesn't use much gas. I was just wondering if it's somehow bad for the car or the battery.
     
    #1 neon tetra, Jul 25, 2010
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I agree that the AC compressor appears to come on as needed when the windshield defroster is turned on.

    It's not bad for the car or the battery to leave the AC on overnight as long as the car has sufficient fuel in the tank. It might be bad for you if carbon monoxide is able to make its way into the passenger cabin while you are sleeping. If you intend to camp in the car then it might be helpful to have a CO alarm in the car.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Jul 25, 2010
  3. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    +1 on what Patrick said. A longer version:

    Your Prius, like most contemporary cars, runs the air conditioning
    whenever windshield defrost/defog is selected as it dehumidifies the air
    which along with some heat prevents further fog/frost on the inside of
    the windshield.

    Other than seriously reducing your daily/trip/lifetime FE/MPGs, running
    the air conditioning with the parking brake set, the car in Park, and
    in the Ready condition (on flat ground, not in a flood plain) should not
    hurt your Prius.

    As to sleeping in your Prius, the A/C compressor runs off the HV
    battery which is recharged from timt to time as necessary by the
    engine turning Motor-Generator 1 as a generator. If you run out of gas
    during the night, the HV battery will be drawn down to the minimum
    allowed by the HSD, and the car will shut down.

    Being in the Ready mode will also put a constant small load on the 12V
    battery which is kept charged from the HV battery. If you should find
    yourself in the unfortunate position of both the 12V and HV batteries
    both being "dead," you may need a trip on a flat bed truck to the
    nearest dealer to set things aright. This would seriously hurt your
    wallet/pocket book.

    I would say that it would be unwise to plan to run the A/C overnight
    with less than 4 "pips" on the gas/guess gauge.

    See this thread for more info on making your overnight the most
    enjoyable.

    Enjoy your stay at Motel Prius. :p
     
    #3 Rokeby, Jul 25, 2010
  4. neon tetra

    neon tetra Member

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    Thanks.

    The carbon monoxide was one thing I was worried about. I double checked around the exhaust pipe to make sure it was clear, but the alarm would be a good addition.
    I also really want some magnets and a screen.

    In the past, we've slept in the trunk, but this time we folded back the front seats, stuffed tons of clothes & other soft stuff to make it level (one good thing about having a girlfriend who packs tons of clothes, lol), and topped the whole thing off w/ our Thermarests. A few sheets, blankets, and sleeping bags... and it was quite comfortable!

    [​IMG]
     
    #4 neon tetra, Jul 25, 2010
  5. theshark

    theshark Member

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    Interesting.
     
    #5 theshark, Nov 23, 2010
  6. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Turning on front defrost also turns on A/C. If you then press the front defrost button again it will turn off, leaving A/C auto on. That shows it was turned on when you used front defrost.

    As far as curtains, in the cold, don't use defrost. The windows will fog up and you won't need curtains. ;)
     
    #6 David Beale, Nov 23, 2010
  7. Rest

    Rest Active Member

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    Never a good idea to sleep in a vehicle while the engine is running. Carbon Monoxide is an odorless killer.
     
    #7 Rest, Nov 23, 2010
  8. BAllanJ

    BAllanJ Active Member

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    Well, I've done it. The exhaust is outside the car, and if you look at the Prius ratings, it hardly makes any carbon monoxide at all. Very nicely controlled combustion.
     
    #8 BAllanJ, Nov 23, 2010
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