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Turtle at high altitudes?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by hybridtwins, Oct 16, 2010.

  1. hybridtwins

    hybridtwins Member

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    Today we took a day trip to Idyllwild, CA, which is 6,000 feet above sea level. All was well on the drive up there. But when getting back in my 2002 model and starting her up, the turtle light stayed on. There seemed to be no obvious problem with the car - no lack of power, and SOC was at least 50% IIRC. After a few minutes of driving, the turtle light went out and that was that. Could the high altitude have caused this in some way?
     
    #1 hybridtwins, Oct 16, 2010
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Weird. I've never had the turtle but read about it. I've even drained the traction battery during high-speed climbs but I don't remember seeing a turtle.

    You might review the ScanGauge thread as this could provide more details.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #2 bwilson4web, Oct 16, 2010
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The turtle light comes on to warn the driver that the traction battery is overheated, most likely resulting from the elevation climb to 6,000 ft. I had seen that once on my 2001 when driving to Lake Arrowhead. Did you notice that the traction battery fan was operating at a high speed?
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Oct 17, 2010
  4. hybridtwins

    hybridtwins Member

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    Not during the ascent, but it would have been masked by the iCE and A/C noise. Nor do I recall noticing when I parked the car. It was probably about an hour or so later we came back to the car to head back, but by then the battery would presumably have cooled down.

    I've heard the fan many other times, most commonly in hot weather (90°+) so I hope it hasn't decided to quit just now.
     
    #4 hybridtwins, Oct 17, 2010
  5. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    "Turtle at High Altitudes"....

    Sounds like a John Irving novel.....

    That's what I like about the world and Prius Chat as part of it. Only in Prius Chat would that phrase make much sense to anyone....
     
    #5 The Electric Me, Oct 17, 2010
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I've also seen Myrtle sort of repeatably at the other end of the temperature range, if the car has been sitting out overnight at -15F or below. Once the cabin air gets a little warmer and flows through the battery the light goes out.

    Was it sunny where you parked? I wonder if the battery was already pretty warm from the ascent, and then sat in little airflow while you parked and the sun beat on the trunk, maybe it didn't cool off much, or even gained a few degrees, by the time you came back?

    -Chap
     
    #6 ChapmanF, Oct 17, 2010
  7. hybridtwins

    hybridtwins Member

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    Yes, now that you mention it this is possible, although the weather was alternating between patches of clear sky and drizzling rain.
     
    #7 hybridtwins, Oct 17, 2010
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