1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Why?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by ImeanGreen, Mar 11, 2012.

  1. ImeanGreen

    ImeanGreen Prius v Five BP Brigade #236

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2012
    547
    73
    0
    Location:
    Somewhere out there
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Why was the vents for the battery on a gen 3 prius located lower instead of being placed higher? Looks to me that the design flaw can be blocked easily if occupants on the back are not aware of the vents or specially one who never owned a prius before. :(
     
  2. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
    4,067
    687
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I don't know why they do what they do. But yes, you need to be careful especially if you have a coat or blanket in the back seat.
     
  3. ImeanGreen

    ImeanGreen Prius v Five BP Brigade #236

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2012
    547
    73
    0
    Location:
    Somewhere out there
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Met a friend last week with the gen 2 prius and the vents where higher. I think close to shoulder level.
     
  4. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2009
    7,543
    1,558
    0
    Location:
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    probably because cooling is more important than heating for the battery and cool air sinks. Just a guess though.
     
    garglo likes this.
  5. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,979
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    If the vents were higher the passengers and posters on this forum would complain about the noise. ;)
     
  6. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2009
    1,181
    420
    0
    Location:
    Whereabouts Unknown
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Does it draw air in from the back, near the spare, or from the front, by the back seat?
     
  7. ImeanGreen

    ImeanGreen Prius v Five BP Brigade #236

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2012
    547
    73
    0
    Location:
    Somewhere out there
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    That I really don't know. Maybe someone can chime in on that.
    Has any gen 2 prius owner complained about the noise?;)
     
  8. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2009
    7,543
    1,558
    0
    Location:
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Air is drawn in at the vent, right-hand side lower seat-back. After is passes over the battery, it is vented out the car through vents at the rear of the car (spare tire area).

    There is also a variable speed fan to assist. That is what causes the noise if warm climates. I have never heard the fan myself. :)
     
  9. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
    4,067
    687
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I have owned both a Gen2 and a Gen3 and the noise is not a problem at all for me. In fact I probably wouldn't have noticed it if someone on here had not mentioned it.
     
  10. boopie

    boopie Are we there yet?

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2011
    47
    7
    0
    Location:
    Starbucks
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Speaking of the vents, I have no problem driving around in an uncomfortably hot car. I know she can take care of herself and shut down when she gets too hot, but should I be a better owner and keep the cabin cooler?
     
  11. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
    4,067
    687
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    In the hot part of the summer I usually set the AC for 78 or even 80 and sometimes don't use it all. I think our batteries will survive fine.
     
  12. J5A

    J5A Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2011
    592
    83
    0
    Location:
    Severna Park, MD
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Yeah, road trips with the kiddos in back can be a little stressful when they want to snooze with their blankets. I had to keep checking the blanket wasn't covering the vent.
     
  13. ImeanGreen

    ImeanGreen Prius v Five BP Brigade #236

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2012
    547
    73
    0
    Location:
    Somewhere out there
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hmmmm. Do you think it will drain the battery more when setting the temp at 78 ot 80 degrees? Reason I'm asking is that, looks to me that the battery is draining more at this setting because the AC is powered by the battery plus adding the amount of electrical drain when using the heater part. AC + heater = more electrical drain than just the AC. I was thinking that having the temp set at the lowest setting with the fan set at it's lowest setting could probably have the least amount of electrical drain. Just throwing a different line of thinking here.
     
  14. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2010
    3,524
    981
    8
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    IMHO, the vent should be lower, like under the seat and near the floor.
     
  15. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,037
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    If you're comfy then the battery and its controlling electronics are also comfy. But if you ever hear the battery's cooling fan running through that vent then it is too hot, either because you should be using the AC and are not, or because the fan is clogged with dog hair or whatnot.
     
  16. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Just comment, lots of folks asking 'Will it get too hot' who do not have a city and state in their profile. Without knowing if you live in Nome AK or New Orleans LA, there is no meaningful answer.
     
  17. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
    4,067
    687
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Sorry my comment wasn't to clear. I usually have the temperature set at 70 to 72 when I am using heat and 78 to 80 when I want AC.

    When I mentioned "battery survival" I was commenting on battery ventilation which draws air from inside the car. Some posters thought having the AC running on hot days would give the battery cooler air and maybe make it last longer in terms of years, not state of charge. My thought was that the battery would be fine even without AC.

    You are certainly correct about battery life in terms of state of charge. A lower the heating temp and A higher AC temp means less energy will be used.

    Actually I think it would be nice if our ventilation systems had separate thermostats for heating and AC such as the ones in most houses.
     
  18. PruisAz

    PruisAz Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2012
    140
    34
    0
    Location:
    Mesa, Az
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    When the battery fan is off or when the car is vacant/fan off, what would keep the battery fumes being introduced back into the passenger compartment. I would think there should be some sort of fume check valve or something.
     
  19. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2012
    1,388
    351
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    The battery is sealed.
     
  20. Silver bullit

    Silver bullit Right Lane Cruiser

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2009
    608
    210
    15
    Location:
    San Diego, California
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Never had a problem