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Can I use A/C when charging?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by pkmntrainerharry, May 29, 2017.

  1. pkmntrainerharry

    pkmntrainerharry New Member

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    Is there a way to do this? I was driving my new Prime home to TX from ME and took a couple 2-hour breaks at free ChargePoint stations. Since I was just napping in the car I wanted the A/C on, but the car kept shutting off after about 2 minutes. In addition during those 2 minutes the A/C didn't even feel cold, unlike when driving. When the car isn't plugged in and the car is parked, the EV mode powers the A/C just fine, so why won't it do this when charging?
     
  2. HPrimeAdvanced

    HPrimeAdvanced Senior Member

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    Mine works fine; I use Entune Remote Climate which is supposed to work for 10 minutes. I've done this when temperature was hot and wanted to precool my car. Maybe the method you used to run A/C on your stopped/plugged in car has something to do with it? Try Entune or the Key Fob.

    .
     
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  3. pkmntrainerharry

    pkmntrainerharry New Member

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    Mine is a Premium, so no Entune. I haven't tried the fob, I thought that doesn't work when you are inside the car. Will try some time. But that will still shut off after 10 minutes right? I was trying to take a 2 hour nap in the car with the A/C on while it was charging.
     
  4. HPrimeAdvanced

    HPrimeAdvanced Senior Member

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    Sorry, I've read that it only runs 10 minutes; it might be a safety issue or battery charge level issue. You'd have to speak with a SKILLED Toyota mechanic about that; he might be able to reprogram your car to extend the time?

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  5. Dale Leonard

    Dale Leonard Member

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    Setting the parking brake might help.????
     
  6. Brad Nunn

    Brad Nunn Junior Member

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    I have not tried using AC while charging but I recall seeing a message on the dashboard after shutdown saying something to the effect that one cannot use AC while charging. Anyone else recall seeing this message?
     
    #6 Brad Nunn, May 31, 2017
    Last edited: May 31, 2017
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  7. Pdog808

    Pdog808 Active Member

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    I'm bumping this post as I am interested in trying to run the A/C while charging also.

    From what I understand, the L2 charging rate is more than enough to run the Prius A/C and still charge the car within a reasonable time.

    Can't get the remote A/C to function while the key fob is in the car. Perhaps some setting that the dealer can override?
     
  8. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    Sadly, I checked my Carista App. and did not find any option to enable the remote A/C to function while the key fob is in the car. The dealer probably will run into the same situation, sorry:cry::sick:
     
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  9. Prius from Dad

    Prius from Dad Senior Member

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    Maybe this will help.
     
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  10. joachimz

    joachimz Senior Member

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    confirm and agree, furthermore, see this from the manual ... i would be shocked if there is a way to use a/c while charging if Toyota warns like they do ...

    charge.jpg
     
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  11. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    I guess I will have to turn my pacemaker off before I begin charging then:p
     
  12. HPrimeAdvanced

    HPrimeAdvanced Senior Member

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    Mr. PriusCat: now you're talkin'!!
    I think that the Pacemaker Override function should be added to the Entune application! Ah, the wonders of technology!! , Har, har!

    .
     
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  13. Pdog808

    Pdog808 Active Member

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    You can use A/C while sitting in the vehicle AND charging with the following caveats:

    1) A/C will only stay on for 10 minutes then shut off.
    2) Doors must be locked and parking brake on (the parking brake part I'm not absolutely sure about).
    3) If you open a door or hit the Start button A/C will stop immediately.
    4) A/C will run at your last Auto setting.

    If you have done everything as above but hitting the Remote A/C button does not work, exit the car (make sure car is OFF) and lock the doors. Re-enter the vehicle, lock the doors, ensure parking brake is engaged then hit the Remote A/C button again. If the vehicle beeps once, wait a few seconds for the A/C to start up. If there is someone in the passenger seat, it does not affect this "reset". It appears to only look to see if someone is in the drivers seat and/or the key fob is outside the car when you lock it.

    After 10 minutes is up, just repeat the above and you can get another 10 minutes. Not ideal but at least it works. I've used this technique to catch up on reading or email while waiting in the sun.

    I'm not sure how much running the A/C while charging on an L2 charger slows down the process. Perhaps someone else can answer this.
     
  14. Oniki

    Oniki Active Member

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    One other gotcha to know about: the key fob A/C will not work for about two minutes after the car is turned off.
    This one is my greatest annoyance because I leave the windows cracked open, and have to start the car to close them. The more expensive trim (Advanced for sure in the US; not sure about Premium) has a method to close windows without starting the car.
     
    #14 Oniki, Jul 11, 2017
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2017
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  15. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    yup, insert the key from your key fob in the drivers side door lock and twist counterclockwise
     
  16. HPrimeAdvanced

    HPrimeAdvanced Senior Member

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    Thanks for the tip, Mr. Cat!!

    .
     
  17. KRISTJAN ANTALIC

    KRISTJAN ANTALIC Junior Member

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    This is extremely disappointing. I fully expected to be able to relax in my car for the 2+ hours it takes a Tier 2 charging station to replenish the battery with the climate control active, all while listening to soothing music on the stereo or talking on the hands free. Why won’t it allow this? How long after taking delivery can I return a new car? :mad:
     
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  18. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Sorry, but I think no dealer is going to honer return based on buyer disappointment on car's safety feature. In fact although may not be impossible by law, it is extremely difficult to return a car you have already taken delivery of for any reason. Not for PRIME but for different car in the past, I tried and failed.
     
  19. triggerhappy007

    triggerhappy007 Active Member

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    Depends on the dealer, some dealers let you return a new car in 3 days. Check with your dealer.
     
  20. KRISTJAN ANTALIC

    KRISTJAN ANTALIC Junior Member

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    I know that I can't return it, I was being facetious, but I'm disappointed nonetheless ... I will find a work-around. I can actually turn on the ignition while charging, but it turns off after a minute or so. What I need to do is find the line of code that turns it off and deactivate it then and it will stay on.

    If this was a serious concern, then ICE cars would have a lock-out preventing ignition while the fuel filler door is open. Driving off with a pump on is a much bigger hazard then letting the car break off the charging head, IMHO.

    To me it is case of over-zealous killjoy engineers who are interfering with a use that the customer should have! I listen to the radio when I'm filling up my diesel, why not my Prius battery?