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Battery survives 2 months without use

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Vancouver, Jun 18, 2010.

  1. Vancouver

    Vancouver New Member

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    I know that I've seen some threads about the battery not surviving a long period without using the car. Just got back from 2 months away, and everything started up just fine - phew!
     
    #1 Vancouver, Jun 18, 2010
  2. sigzephyr

    sigzephyr Junior Member

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    I was just about to post asking about this issue. I am going away for a week without my car. Seems I don't have to worry about the battery charge based on your post. Thanks.
     
    #2 sigzephyr, Jun 18, 2010
  3. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    It should be noted that this is the Gen III forum and the car that started
    without a hitch after two months is a 2010. And this is a good thing...
    as far as it goes.

    On the other hand, there are innumerable threads about Gen II cars that
    have failed to start after sitting for much shorter periods.

    While how long a car can sit unused and still start successfully appears to
    be random, most likely it is a function of the health of the 12V battery,
    whether the owner shut down the SKS system, and possibly the addition
    of after-market accessories - especially stereos.

    Be careful out there.
     
    #3 Rokeby, Jun 18, 2010
  4. sigzephyr

    sigzephyr Junior Member

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    Oops, I'll go and ask on the correct forum. I don't even know what the SKS system is, so I have a bit to learn.
     
    #4 sigzephyr, Jun 18, 2010
  5. Vancouver

    Vancouver New Member

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    To complete the information on the thread, and hopefully be of use to anyone who searches and finds this thread, here is some additional information about my case:

    1) Gen III (2010) Technology Package (Canadian model)
    2) I made no special preparation of the SKS system prior to leaving
    3) The key fob was not near the car at all while I was away
    4) I did not use any type of trickle charger, etc.
    5) When leaving the hybrid battery indicator showed about 75%
    6) When returning the hybrid battery indicator showed about 75%
    7) I did not measure the 12V battery charge before or after
    8) I do not have any after-market accessories at all
    9) The car has had the warranty brake pedal fix
    10) The temperature was Vancouver summer temperatures (meaning not below freezing - yet not terribly hot)
    11) The car was in an underground garage protected from the elements
    12) The solar fan was turned off
    13) When leaving I locked the door using the door handle, not the remote
    14) When returning the door handle worked to open the car on the first try, and the push button to start worked on the first try

    That is everything I can think of......
     
    #5 Vancouver, Jun 18, 2010
    3 people like this.
  6. compac

    compac PSU, Metallic Blue Ribbon

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    Good info and report...
     
    #6 compac, Jun 20, 2010
  7. Vancouver

    Vancouver New Member

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    Glad you found it useful....
     
    #7 Vancouver, Jun 20, 2010
  8. fed123

    fed123 Member

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    I don't believe that it is possible to turn off SKS on Gen III although you could do so for Gen II.
     
    #8 fed123, Jun 25, 2010
  9. saunj

    saunj New Member

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    I'm surprised. I just returned OK from a 52-day RV trip, but I have installed a 50A weatherproof toggle switch in the spare wheel well to disconnect the 12V battery.
     
    #9 saunj, Jul 6, 2010
  10. Vancouver

    Vancouver New Member

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    I was pretty surprised too - but pleasantly of course!
     
    #10 Vancouver, Jul 6, 2010
  11. jrct9454

    jrct9454 Junior Member

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    Our car is parked in a covered condo building garage, but one that is open to the air at both ends, which means temps in the garage are never far away from whatever is the ambient temp outside. Never had a problem with either the '06 or, so far, the '10 Prius. Because we can walk to just about everything, the car often sits for days or even weeks at a time, especially in the winter. In the absence of some explainable battery drain [interior light on, door or hatch not shut, etc.], I have yet to hear of a problem - in this forum or elsewhere - that is related to simply having the car sitting quietly with everything properly secured. Don't know when / how this worry over batteries got started, but it doesn't match my experience at all....
     
    #11 jrct9454, Jul 8, 2010
  12. Dan bo

    Dan bo Prius Fan

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    Great info, especially your follow up details. Thanks.
     
    #12 Dan bo, Jul 9, 2010
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