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2015 prius solar roof does it drain the battery?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by bear15, May 8, 2016.

  1. bear15

    bear15 Member

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    2015 prius solar roof does it drain the battery when the sun is not out and the cooling fan is running, not AC?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what else would power it if the sun isn't out? but i thought it didn't run unless the sun was out.
     
  3. bear15

    bear15 Member

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    This is a new car to us so we are not certain. Is that the case that it will not run unless the sun is out?

     
  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    NO. And to clarify, that's a NO to either battery: 300v EV battery or the 12v systems battery.

    If it's reasonably quiet outside, stand between the passenger mirror and front right tire, bend down toward the base of the windshield and hood and listen for the fan motor running. On a sunny day: a gentle purr; at night, nothing. NOTE: there is about a 10 minute delay between powering the car off and the solar fan beginning to run assuming you have this feature turned on (which must be done while the car is "on").
     
    #4 fotomoto, May 8, 2016
    Last edited: May 8, 2016
  5. bear15

    bear15 Member

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    In other words, the fan will only run if the solar panel provides the necessary energy?

    Many thanks!

     
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    That's correct. The solar panel ventilation system only runs when there's enough solar energy to power the fan. (And of course, if you turn the function on. The button is to the left of the steering wheel). You can turn it off if you park it in a dusty place (e.g. next to a gravel road) or if you're camping and you don't want your interior to smell like charcoal because it sucked in all the smoke from your BBQ pit lol.

    The Remote A/C function (that A/C button on the fob) is a separate feature and will run only when you press button. That one runs off the hybrid battery for up to 3 minutes or until there's no more battery, whichever is first. When combined with the solar panel ventilation system, it can cool the interior down by up to 35°C.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    It's a very good application of solar power: the fan mainly needs to run when there's plenty of sunshine.
     
  8. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    As stated above, no, it does not drain the battery.
    It neither charges or discharges the 12V battery. The solar fan system only runs when the car is off, so the traction battery is totally disconnected from the car. So no effect on it either.
     
  9. narias

    narias Junior Member

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    I'm still a little confused about this feature. The button is depressed on the driver side but there's no light or indication that it does anything. Do I have to actively press this button every time I want it to work or will the fan automatically kick in when parked in the sun?
     
  10. MidwesternBlackSheep

    MidwesternBlackSheep Junior Member

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    You can see a visible difference between the button being in and out. You do not have to turn the feature on every time the car is started.

    If there's sun and the function is on it'll operate automatically.
     
    #10 MidwesternBlackSheep, May 11, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: May 14, 2016
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  11. narias

    narias Junior Member

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    Thanks for the info. In the manual (and video) there's all this stuff about leaving the car on and pressing the button which is not what I expected.
     
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    No. Just press once and leave it "on".

    That's because it's only activated if the button was depressed prior to shutting down the car. If the car is off and you press the button to turn it off, it won't turn on when you depress the button again. You have to turn the car on, ensure the button is in the "on" position, then shut off the car.
     
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  13. BethPet

    BethPet Junior Member

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    I love my solar panel. I live in Ohio, but it makes such a difference. My '14 now has 64k miles, and of course my local shop had me test drive a new '16. Yes, it drove nice, but my I love the techie "creature features" on my '14. I will be keeping my AWESOME '14 with solar panel until the panel becomes a feature on the new model! Plus, I just got 53 mpg yesterday at highway speeds (I usually set my cruise @ 72) with the air on, jamming to enTune with Dave Matthews Band blaring away! It's a good, good life!

    SM-N910V ?
     
  14. Bay Stater

    Bay Stater Senior Member

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    I live in Mass and the solar panel does make a difference here too on those hot Summer days! No 5 o'clock easy bake oven for me.;)
     
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  15. BethPet

    BethPet Junior Member

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    I keep a digital thermometer in my car. Used to top out at 150 in my last car, but the hottest it's ever hit with the solar panel is 105! Love that thing... Even though those without it call it a gimmick! Don't know what they are talking about!

    SM-N910V ?
     
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  16. Starship_Enterprius

    Starship_Enterprius Active Member

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    No not true. That's just according to the manual but in reality is not. Countless times I've turned on that button with my car off and at exactly 10 minutes after the fans start blowing.

    I should know. I stay in my car every day during lunch hour.
     
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