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High Voltage Low Amperage Solar Panel to maintain Hybrid Battery Pack?

Discussion in 'Knowledge Base Articles Discussion' started by FireFighterHill, Jan 31, 2017.

  1. FireFighterHill

    FireFighterHill Member

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    I need to leave my Prius in long term storage. Minimum 6 weeks at a time more like 2-3 months. No power outlet available to hook up any kind of maintainer or transformer. Does anyone know of a high voltage low amperage solar panel that I could connect to the Hybrid Battery to keep it from discharging and keep it healthy? Im guessing I need at least 300 volts and about 0.5 amp. Is this a feasible solution? I know I can get a solar battery maintainer for the 12v battery.
     
    #1 FireFighterHill, Jan 31, 2017
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    The High Voltage battery has no trickle currents while sitting, it is completely isolated. There would be no safe place to even attach such a solar panel if it existed.

    The 12 volt system would only be as isolated if you disconnected the negative cable.

    By far your best bet is to leave the Prius at home and have someone start it for an hour every week, no need to drive it.
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Jan 31, 2017
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  3. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    As far as I know, nobody is doing that but you should get your batt up to fairly full charge before storing. It could help to keep the 12v charged. When you come back, give the car time to warm up before pulling out, and maybe charge the 12v so the HV battery is not having to recharge that.
     
    #3 wjtracy, Jan 31, 2017
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  4. FireFighterHill

    FireFighterHill Member

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    The things I need to know is what is the minimum voltage and amperage I need to feed the hybrid battery pack to maintain its charge and what is the max I can feed it without damaging it. The reason I ask is because im contemplating building my own solar array that I can mount to a large panel and place it in the windshield facing the car toward the Sun when parked. With small 12v panels I would need 25 of them to put out 300 volts. Is 300 volts enough for the Gen 1 Prius battery pack to maintain it? they each put out 1.5 watts which calculates to 0.125 amps. So 0.125 amps X 25 = 3.125 amps. Would that be to much amperage? Each panel is 3.5 x 4.5 inches.
     
    #4 FireFighterHill, Jan 31, 2017
  5. FireFighterHill

    FireFighterHill Member

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    I have had the Hybrid battery pack open and apart numerous times. I dont mind modifying it to add a connection to attach the solar array.
     
    #5 FireFighterHill, Jan 31, 2017
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    You can either multiply to get more volts, or multiply to get more amps, not both. For 300 volts by 3.125 amps you need 625 panels.
     
    #6 JimboPalmer, Jan 31, 2017
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  7. FireFighterHill

    FireFighterHill Member

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    Duh, not sure how I missed that
     
    #7 FireFighterHill, Jan 31, 2017
  8. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    #8 mjoo, Feb 1, 2017
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