Maintaining Battery during dormancy

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by gatorback, Jan 24, 2026 at 10:14 PM.

  1. gatorback

    gatorback Junior Member

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    It is my understanding, when the Prius Gen3 is garaged, it is not off in the truest sense: it is still burning battery energy and will eventually exhaust one or more batteries. This give rise to several questions:

    1) What is the longest period of dormancy possible? Months, weeks?
    2) During dormancy is only the 12V (small battery) exhausted or is the large HV (hybrid battery) drained as well?
    3) If a 12V trickle charger is engaged during dormancy, is this is enough in two maintain both batteries (hybrid HV battery and 12V)?
    4) If parked at the airport for an extended period of time, is it enough to disconnect the 12V battery or is there a need / advantage to disconnecting the HV hybrid battery?

    I have a Nocu Trickle charger that is switched on / off with a wifi smart switch for 1-month dormancy periods.
     
    #1 gatorback, Jan 24, 2026 at 10:14 PM
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2026 at 10:19 PM
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    When off, the hybrid battery is isolated from the rest of the car.
    They typically don’t lose much energy, but the older they are, the more prone to it.

    there is a constant drain on the 12v, again, the older it is, the more likely to drain and sulphate.
    In good health, it should last more than a few weeks, but becomes more risky as it ages.
    A maintainer is always best, but disconnecting also works. But you may lose a few settings like radio stations or window memory, it’s inconsistent
     
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  3. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

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    I don't think there's a need to cycle that maintainer manually.
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    correct, it does all the switching itself. when not charging, it is monitoring charge level. you don't want to switch it off
     
  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    All vehicles "burn" power when off. A Prius with no aftermarket gizmos has 15-25 ma of parasitic draw. That is 15 thousands of a amp. Many trucks have close to 50 ma of parasitic drain.

    With a new 12v battery you might get 4 weeks before you can't get a Ready. With an 8 year old battery you might get 4 days. The truck has gone through 2 batteries in 8 years. I had a Prius 12v battery last 10 years as have others so its no surprise its dead after a week trip.
     
  6. gatorback

    gatorback Junior Member

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    Please clarify. I think you are indicating that I should just leave the charger on and all will be automagically fine?

    The reason for the wifi switch is so that I can turn the charger on 3 days before returning home after a 3-5 week trip. It's probably safe to leave it charged the entire time, but it makes me feel better to charge "just enough".
     
  7. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Allowing it to discharge dramatically reduces battery life. Great if you are helping Priuscamper.
     
    #7 rjparker, Jan 26, 2026 at 11:45 PM
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2026 at 1:37 AM
  8. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

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    That's what these new-fangled battery maintainers do. They're smart. Not an old-fashioned dumb 'trickle' charger, so no worries about over charging. Read the link on the NOCO1 you provided above. It's for the 12v battery only.

    As far as the traction battery goes, on your 2010 or on my 2026, I've got no idea. It does lose charge, as @bisco said. Perhaps scouring the threads will give you an idea how long it can remain unattended. If it goes totally dead, I THINK there's no return.
     
  9. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    If you have someone that could drive it for a few miles once a week would be good.
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    For the 12 volt I'm using a smart charger, rated 4.3 amps, pretty much constantly. If we drive one day, I pop the hood when we get home, plug it in the next morning, it stays thus until the next time we drive. Parked at an airport, for more than a few days, I would disconnect the 12 volt. Apparently that can be done under the hood, the fat, white wire in the fuse box is pulled, IIRC. @ChapmanF I believe shared that tip?

    The Owner's Manual say that the hybrid battery is ok for "several" months down time:

    upload_2026-1-27_9-15-38.png
     
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  11. indel

    indel Member

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    What could happen to the rest of the car if the hybrid battery was disconnected for 1-2 months?
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Nothing, it’s already disconnected when off
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    It’s not magic, just software logic.
    If you’re concerned about a fire, you’ve already got a high voltage car in the garage.
    Regardless, you can keep switching it, but it does hurt the battery life to discharge. They prefer to be topped up all the time unless lithium
     
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Our 2010 has spent at least half it's life on a CTEK charger; I installed the current battery in September of 2015. It's still testing like new.