Disconnect the battery before doing mods?

The safe way to go would be to disconnect the Aux battery, but I like to live on the edge . The only bad thing that will happen if you disconnect is the time and MFD resetting. You'll have to set the time and your fuel consumption will be reset as well.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PaulV @ Dec 13 2006, 10:37 PM) [snapback]362003[/snapback]</div>

I added an aux-in box to the stereo without disconnecting the battery. For an EV mode swtich, I'd probably disconnect it just to be on the safe side.

 

It really depends on what you're doing and your knowledge level of electronics. If you're performing a simple mod that involves plugging/unplugging items, you probably don't need to worry about it. if it involves wire tapping, if you're sure the wire is electrically isolated or that you fully understand the implications have having it connected/disconnected at various times, then you don't need to worry about it.

However, if you aren't that informed electrically about the car, then disconnect it just to be on the safe side. no harm, other than losing the clock, radio presets, and recorded mileage on the MFD, will come from it.

 

I've installed Coastal's EV mod, Auto-Lock and basic NAV kit; cut and installed a switch for the phone override and installed the DICE all without disconnecting the battery. I was probably very luck, but there was no problems.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Dec 14 2006, 06:52 AM) [snapback]362119[/snapback]</div>

The '06 Prius Repair Manuel specifies disconnecting the 12v battery for such things as replacement of the headlight even when the current is off to that component.

When you diconnect the battery there is one more step (than those listed by eagle above) which you must do. It is initialization of the power window regulator. It is a simple procedure. After reconnecting the battery you: 1. turn on the car to Ready, 2. Open the driver's window half way, 3. Close the driver's window and hold it closed for at least one second, and 4. check theAUTO/UP and AUTO/DOWN to see that they work properly. If they don't, you disconnected the 12 v battery for 10 seconds and repeat the process.

If you don't do this step, your power windows may not work properly.

Almost any interuption of electric power calls for this initialization of power windows.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Allannde @ Dec 14 2006, 10:02 AM) [snapback]362153[/snapback]</div>

Never knew about that initialization... guess i've just been lucky

And honestly, the only reason the repair manual specifies disconnecting the 12v battery for everything is for legal reasons - it's a hell of a lot easier to say disconnect it for everything than it is to fight a legal battle when someone leaves it connected and gets shocked when something shorts out (odds of that happening are slim, though)

 

When I installed my Kapppa's with an amp, I didn't disconnect the battery. I hacked together a T-harness to go between the stereo and the car wiring harness. I left one wire cut but untaped, wasn't stripped. When I plugged it in to see if it worked, pop, everything shut off..

At first I though just a fuse, but nothing worked. No dome lights, car wouldn't start, nothing. After freaking out for a minute, I decided to start pulling fuses. Turns out I just blew one fuse, lucky me.

I also accidentally bumped the windows lock switch when I was putting the driver door panel back on. Again took me a while to figure out why the passenger window switch would not work. Good thing I can keep calm pretty well.

 

Do you loose your calendar memos when you disconnect the battery? I ask, because that is where I've been logging my mileage.