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Hybrid battery (traction battery) status

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by IslandLife, Apr 21, 2012.

  1. IslandLife

    IslandLife New Member

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    Just took delivery of our Prius V model 3. We only have about 100 miles on the car, in viewing the Hybrid battery status; the green bars only go to about ¾ of the way up. The photo in the manual show bars all the way to the top. Has anyone else seen this, is this normal?
     
  2. RickThom1

    RickThom1 Junior Member

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    I don't think you will ever see the status bar all the way at the top. Mine tops out at one bar below the top, and then that is not too often. My bars normally show anywhere from about 80% to the top to about 20% at the bottom. I think that is pretty normal, and of course it depends on how much you are using battery for things like EV, pulse and glide, etc.
     
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Long descents can fill up the bars, the extended regenerative braking 'fills' it, then at the bottom it will burn it off, so it has room for you to hit the brakes again.

    Should take at least a 600 foot drop.
     
  4. mattheikkila

    mattheikkila New Member

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    Mine often fills completely, but there are a lot of hills in the bay area. Are you in a mostly flat area? I am surprised it wouldn't fully fill on the freeway for you when it's mostly charging slowly...
     
  5. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    If it were to stay full, you would have no regenerative brakes.
     
  6. tanasit

    tanasit Member

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    You mean, if it's full, you don't need the regenerative braking?
     
  7. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    If it is full, then there is no where to put regenerative braking energy. You would likely hear the engine racing at that point, as the battery is turning the engine to burn off energy.

    3/4 full is perfect. You don't want it 100% full. Trust me.
     
  8. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Regenerative braking fills the battery, saving energy for later. If the battery fills, you lose all further kinetic enery as heat, with none stored for later use. yes.

    This is why the battery rarely shows as full, it is leaving space for regenerative braking energy.
     
  9. oldasdust

    oldasdust Member

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    I saw full bars on my gen III once on a long straight downgrade all electrical accessories were off and i was going over 60 mph. a short time later i was one bar down.
     
  10. IslandLife

    IslandLife New Member

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    Thanks for all the replys... The 80/20 makes a lot of sence, I can see where you would need room in the battery for down hill runs. So now at least I know the indicator is working as it should.
     
  11. El_Spectre

    El_Spectre Junior Member

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    Just a suggestion: Don't sweat the battery charge. Unless you're in EV mode for a long time (only likely in stop and go traffic), you're not gonna drain it. Unless you're going downhill a lot, you're not gonna fill it.

    When I pay attention (which is seldom, anymore) the battery averages around 50-75%, and the car manages it just fine.