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

Charging the 12volt battery on my 2007 2nd Gen Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Skateruk, Nov 13, 2013.

  1. Skateruk

    Skateruk Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2013
    125
    28
    0
    Location:
    Nottingham, UK
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I'd like to hear of any experiences with charging the battery via the cigar lighter socket using a Ctek smart charger which is connected to the mains. The battery obviously remains in the car. The charger goes thru a cycle of decreasing charge rates depending on the state of the battery, it even reconditions it! Anyone used such a charger - all comments will be useful!
     
    #1 Skateruk, Nov 13, 2013
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,568
    4,438
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Your 12v "lighter" receptacles are disconnected when the car is off, therefore the charger won't work. If you made a more direct connection, a good charger might be useful for long storage periods.
     
    #2 rjparker, Nov 13, 2013
    xpcman likes this.
  3. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    3,637
    1,624
    0
    Location:
    Sanford, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    Did it on a Porsche for years with perfect success. The Ctec is a not charger but a maintainer which means the battery must be pretty well charged to start with. The Ctec can be connected for months at a time. Only works of the lighter socket is live when the car is off. I also had a set of clips that plugged into the Ctec that clipped to a "normal" battery.

    BTW, you posted in the Prius v section, the Station Wagon or CUV of the Prius line. There are clusters of forums for each submodel of Prius here and you may get an answer specific to your model if you post within that model's forums.
     
    #3 mikefocke, Nov 13, 2013
  4. Skateruk

    Skateruk Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2013
    125
    28
    0
    Location:
    Nottingham, UK
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    III
     
    #4 Skateruk, Nov 13, 2013
  5. Skateruk

    Skateruk Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2013
    125
    28
    0
    Location:
    Nottingham, UK
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Thanks for the advice guys. Apologies if I've posted incorrectly, it's my first time here.
    I suppose I can connect the Ctek's crocodile clips direct to the battery and charge it that way?
    I've only recently bought the car and it is brilliant! Just a bit worried about the battery deteriorating in the winter months from very cold spells/ short runs/non use etc.
     
    #5 Skateruk, Nov 13, 2013
  6. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2012
    3,910
    1,065
    0
    Location:
    New Yawk
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    As fitted to the summer-only sports car, CTEK makes a quick-connect plug that can be hard-wired to the battery via ring connectors. They also make a quick-connect with LED battery condition indicator. On the Prius, the ring connectors could be wired to the 12V battery with the quick-connector left exposed in the cargo compartment or beneath the rear seat for easy access and use.
     

    Attached Files:

    #6 Air_Boss, Nov 13, 2013
  7. Skateruk

    Skateruk Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2013
    125
    28
    0
    Location:
    Nottingham, UK
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    III
     
    #7 Skateruk, Nov 13, 2013
  8. Skateruk

    Skateruk Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2013
    125
    28
    0
    Location:
    Nottingham, UK
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Now that's a good idea AirBoss, I'll try it out - thanks!
     
    #8 Skateruk, Nov 13, 2013
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,831
    16,066
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    *Moved to Gen 2 Forum*
     
    #9 Tideland Prius, Nov 13, 2013
  10. Skateruk

    Skateruk Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2013
    125
    28
    0
    Location:
    Nottingham, UK
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    III
    As a precaution, having only had the car for a couple of weeks and with winter here, I have got rid of the old 12volt battery. It's been replaced with a new Bosch that has a 4 yr guarantee. I have also attached the CTEK eylets direct to the terminals and left the connector (which is capped off) poking up from the compartment ready for the charger just in case it's needed. Another precaution, I am getting more paranoid in my old age!!
     
    #10 Skateruk, Nov 19, 2013
    Air_Boss likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)