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Remote A/C & Climate Prep Quick Guide

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Since2002, Jan 9, 2017.

  1. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    I'm guessing they want to keep the lion battery from getting too hot. Lion batteries don't like temperature extremes.

    Your record heat versus our record heat are quite different. Think of us running at 105° in direct sun. 135° inside is not out of the question.
     
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  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Mine came with screens for the wind screen. The battery is the part most at risk. I would park to minimize sunlight on the battery in the rear ... facing the sun. I also bought 'rain shields' that fit along the top of the windows so the glass can be opened and minimize the risk of rain coming in the car.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  3. HPrimeAdvanced

    HPrimeAdvanced Senior Member

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    I'm wondering if this is a cumulative problem with the traction battery. My Prime Advanced was parked for 7 hours in the sun, and registered 104° when I started it up in Lancaster, CA. The Softex was warm, but I could sit on it with shorts on. I do have the medium tint on all windows, not windshield. The traction battery was discharged completely due to 100+ mile trip and no charging available at destination. This car is wonderful!

    .

    My battery always tells the truth; it's not lion! I think it might be tiger!

    .
     
    #43 HPrimeAdvanced, Sep 26, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 26, 2017
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Should be fine. Do recall that the Prius Prime does have a solar roof option in other parts of the world where the car will be parked in the sun to get maximum exposure for the solar panels.


    But in general, batteries don't like heat so it's best to keep the car in the shade (I mean it's the same for any car, really. I would prefer to have it shaded for a cooler interior, less wear on the interior plastics and seat material etc). Also, a full battery and heat isn't the best combination so yeah I'd wager your 88% is fine.
     
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  5. Spector

    Spector Junior Member

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    For the Prime Plus, does the A/C button in the key fob also turn on the heater or is it just the cold A/C?
     
  6. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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  7. Since2002

    Since2002 Senior Lurker

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    In Toyota speak A/C means heating and air conditioning.

    Remote AC.png
     
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  8. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    So you are saying: with a temperature of say 38F in the car, I can heat up the inside of the car to 72F with the fob before I drive off? ( by hitting the AC button )
     
  9. Since2002

    Since2002 Senior Lurker

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    If you have the A/C system set to 72F when you shut off the car, and it is 38F in the car, then when you press the A/C button on the fob (actually you have to hold it for 0.8 seconds) then heat will start. It only will run for about 10 minutes so I can't predict whether the cabin will be 72F in that amount of time, but at least it should be warmer than 38F.

    Also the heat (or cold A/C) won't start for about three minutes after turning off the car, so in case you are experimenting with it wait at three minutes after shutting off the car to try it.
     
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  10. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    From what I have found using the Fob in summer for AC, it interfered with my charge, took longer to charge, as a result and, once I got into the car the AC effect was hardly noticable. Basically all the cool air was absorbed as soon as I opened the car door. Heat goes to cold.
     
  11. Since2002

    Since2002 Senior Lurker

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    If using remote A/C when not plugged in it will use the traction battery. When plugged in it will use the charging cable. However as stated on page 509 any charging going on at the time will be suspended until A/C ends. Presuming that you will probably run A/C (heat or cold) all the way up until departure, then for practical purposes charging for your upcoming trip stops when you start the A/C. But at least it won't deplete any EV range that you already have up until that point.

    It sounds like you were using scheduled charging based on departure time, and after running A/C you waited for it to finish charging instead of driving off. In that case of course the use of A/C was probably a waste. Remote A/C is all about comfort and you will give up probably a couple of EV miles for that comfort, no way around it. Although maybe schedule charging to end 10 minutes prior to departure, then run remote A/C for the last ten minutes while plugged in. But I think someone said they tried that and still reduced EV range, but I think that may have been when using climate prep. If manually running remote A/C with the fob (or app) then maybe you can preheat or cool the cabin and still have full EV range.

    I remember last winter people said their car was nice and warm when they were ready to leave, others not. Probably depends if the car is in a garage or not. Also the manual states that the heat pump is not as effective in low temperatures, although it didn't say what those temperatures are.
     
    #51 Since2002, Nov 18, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2017
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  12. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    nice post.

    In trying to use the AC by remote for Winter, I get no feedback that it is working. ( finished charge, plugged in) Right now all I’m getting is rear lights flashing.
     
    #52 Andyprius1, Nov 24, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 24, 2017
  13. Prime_Mike

    Prime_Mike New Member

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    So far the Remote AC sucks, winter's just starting and it doesn't defrost the car at all. I also hate that I can't tell from in the house if its running or not.
     
  14. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    Just to be sure, the cabin pre-condition will work based on how you had it set when your last powered the car off. Auto mode, temp turned up, etc.

    When mine is plugged in and finished charging, and I hold the A/C Hold button down, the three blue LED charging indicator lights on the passenger side dash come on and the last one flashes as if it's topping off the battery as the cabin conditions. Can you see these from the house? I'm guessing it probably will not do this if it's not plugged in.
     
  15. GT4Prius

    GT4Prius Active Member

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    The car's hazard lights flash once when you select remote a.c. using the key fob. This is a visual confirmation of turning on remote a.c.

    Can anyone advise? As stated in this thread, then manual definitely says that using remote ac when plugged in sill draw power from the mains target than from the traction battery.

    I realize that if someone turns on remote a.c. before the set departure time issuing departure timer charging, or before the car has fully charged, then power will or should be diverted to the a.c. and the battery will not be fully charged. That is to be expected.

    In my case I this as a possibility by fully charging the battery and then turning on the remote ac for 10 minutes after the car showed that it was fully charged. But When I checked the charge level after using the remote a.c. , the car said that it was 30 minutes from completing its charge.

    So that 30 minutes represents the power that the remote a.c. had drawn from the battery, and NOT from the mains even though plugged in.

    Is my car faulty, or have I missed something?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  16. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    When you put it in remote A/C, power is drawn from the traction battery just as it is when the car is in motion, in Ev or in Hv mode. But if it's plugged in, the charger will start up and try to maintain the battery charge. If the car is fully charged and the power being drawn by the A/C is less than the available power from the charger (which is limited by what it's plugged into), then the battery will remain at full charge. However, if the power being drawn by the A/C is greater than can be supplied by the charger, then the traction battery had to make up the rest. The amount of power being drawn depends on the settings and the temperature differential.
     
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  17. GT4Prius

    GT4Prius Active Member

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    Thanks. 30 minutes charge time used seems to represent to me though that all of the a.c. power was coming from traction battery and not from the mains?

    I also checked and saw that the charger was not drawing any significant amount of power from the house if any at all. Certainly nowhere near its max of 3.2kw.

    (The air temp was 5 or 6 Celsius and requested set temp in the car 21C.)

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  18. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    Unlikely. About 20 minutes before full charge, the pack will be at 100%. The last 20 minutes seem to be spent doing cell balancing.

    That's odd. My L1 goes right to 1.3kW.
     
  19. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    Thanks, I forgot about that.

    Mine is garaged with temps in the high 45-55° inside and 35° outside. My scheduled charge cycle completes at 5:35am and all 3 blue LED's are off. I hit the A/C Hold button at approx 5:45am and the heat pump cranks up (set at auto 72°) and all three blue LED's come on and shortly after the third LED starts flashing. It will continue to flash after the 10 minute heat cycle finishes until about 5:58am. It gives the appearance that not all the required charge is coming from the house current. (L1 charge set at max.) No biggie, just an observation.
     
  20. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Recall he's in the UK with 220V. I assume the amperage and power is higher.