1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Inactive 5 months with battery tender on

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by bob749prius, Sep 5, 2009.

  1. bob749prius

    bob749prius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2008
    33
    2
    0
    Location:
    Venice, FL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    question: i have been gone 5 months and will return and attempt to start up my prius next week. I've had a battery tender attached to the engine red (hot) point and a ground point. Battery terminals were still attached. Do you think i'll have any problems starting the car. I know to leave it run for at least 30 minutes to have all the systems reset
     
    #1 bob749prius, Sep 5, 2009
  2. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2007
    4,374
    313
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    no problem
    the 12 volt is not used for crankingup/starting the car.
     
    #2 Flying White Dutchman, Sep 5, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  3. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2007
    1,540
    92
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    As long as the 12v battery has a charge, the prius will boot up.
     
    #3 Bob64, Sep 5, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  4. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,981
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    No need to let it run for 30 min. There are no systems to reset. The car was always powered (you didn't disconnect the 12V battery).

    The traction battery -may- be down a few bars, but should still be fine. Just drive it. The traction battery will recover fully to its' "normal" charge level in a few minutes.

    Be sure to check the oil before starting it. Just in case. It's a Toyota so there isn't likely to be a problem, but better safe than sorry. ;)

    Remember, that 5 months counts on the oil change interval.
     
    #4 David Beale, Sep 5, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,199
    6,464
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Well, the Toyota TSB that discusses vehicle storage suggests that the car should be started up every two months and left READY for at least 30 min. for the purpose of charging the traction battery. I suggest that once the OP starts the car, that he look at the traction battery SOC and if low, plan to drive the car or leave READY for at least the 30 min. period, or until the SOC returns to the normal blue range.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Sep 5, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  6. john_dough

    john_dough New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2008
    75
    4
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Bob749--I'm wondering if you could let us know if you left the car inactive for 5 months with the windows open or closed, and if you sense any unusual odors inside the car.

    Thanks
     
    #6 john_dough, Sep 6, 2009
  7. bob749prius

    bob749prius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2008
    33
    2
    0
    Location:
    Venice, FL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I sure will. I put the car on jacks...no fully off the floor but enough to take some of the weight off the tires. I tried to disconnect the battery but was "afraid" that I'd get into trouble being such a small space and seeing a lot of the "RED" cable near the Black. Might be braver next time.


     
    #7 bob749prius, Sep 6, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  8. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,981
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Next time just unbolt the -ve cable where it connects to the chassis, if you really want to disconnect the battery. Remember though, if you then close the hatch you won't be able to open it easily. I think the way you did it is the best method.
     
    #8 David Beale, Sep 6, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  9. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,199
    6,464
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    An alternative to disconnecting the negative battery cable is to open the main relay/fuse box near the inverter, then pivot open the red plastic cover over the dedicated positive jump start terminal. Use a 10 mm socket to remove the nut on the terminal. Remove the red cable attached to the terminal. Replace the nut. Close the red cover and place the cable over the cover so that it does not contact anything. Then close the relay/fuse box cover, close the hood, and you are done.
     
    #9 Patrick Wong, Sep 6, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  10. gabrielino

    gabrielino New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2011
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    stuart
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    I am in Stuart FL and I plan to do exactly the same thing next month. Can you let me know if you were successful?
    (I plan to use a battery tender under the hood and plan not to disconnect the 12v battery in the back of my '06 Prius)
    Also what voltage was the tender set to? I am thinking 12.5 volts.
     
    #10 gabrielino, Apr 13, 2011
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)