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Light left on overnight....Problem?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by mjones12, May 23, 2012.

  1. mjones12

    mjones12 Member

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    I was trying to get a flash drive into the USB port and turned on a front reading light to see down inside the box (that port has a funny angle). It was daytime, so I didn't notice the light being on when I shut down the car and went inside. The light burned for about 12 hours. The car is only one day old, and when I started up the next morning the traction battery icon showed only two bars, but it came up quickly as I drove. Is this going to do any harm on a brand-new car? Thanks.
     
    #1 mjones12, May 23, 2012
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #2 JimboPalmer, May 23, 2012
  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Remember that the traction battery is completely unrelated to the 12V battery. The OP didn't do the 12V battery any favors by leaving a light on overnight, but it didn't do anything to the traction battery.

    Tom
     
    #3 qbee42, May 23, 2012
  4. mjones12

    mjones12 Member

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    Thanks. I suspected there was no relationship, but wasn't sure. Since everything worked as usual this morning, can I expect that the 12V battery is recovering okay? How would I know?
     
    #4 mjones12, May 23, 2012
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Being a new battery, it should have lots of life (although sometimes they arrive with a bum battery.) Batteries have a limited number of charge/discharge cycles. Leaving the lights on uses them up a little faster, so your battery may not last as long, but it isn't catastrophic.

    Tom
     
    #5 qbee42, May 23, 2012
  6. mjones12

    mjones12 Member

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    Thanks so much for your help.
     
    #6 mjones12, May 23, 2012
  7. jaymac

    jaymac membore

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    I once left the dome light on for 10 days while the car ( Honda Fit )was in long term airport parking. Completely destroyed the battery. It never would hold a charge after that.

    John
     
    #7 jaymac, May 24, 2012
  8. Feri

    Feri Active Member

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    As mentioned before the traction battery level is unrelated to your light problem. Sounds like you caught your 12 volt in time since your car was able to start.:)
     
    #8 Feri, May 24, 2012
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