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

12v battery. How is it charged?

Discussion in 'Prime Technical Discussion' started by Dmitriy Sokol, Mar 3, 2017.

  1. Dmitriy Sokol

    Dmitriy Sokol Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2017
    112
    108
    0
    Location:
    Annapolis, MD
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Does anyone know if the 12v battery is only charged by ICE? What happens if I use EV mode for weeks, without ICE kicking in? Would it be beneficial to trickle charge it once a week or so? Thanks!


    iPhone ?
     
  2. 34Hupp

    34Hupp 1934 Hupmobile - Americas 1st Aerodynamic

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2006
    62
    100
    0
    Location:
    Rochester, NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    ---
     
    #2 34Hupp, Mar 4, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2017
    Dmitriy Sokol likes this.
  3. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,105
    10,039
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    That isn't true of any previous Prius, so it seems highly unlikely for your Prime.

    If charged only by the ICE, the 12V would become a problem within a very few operating hours, not weeks.
     
    Chaughten and Dmitriy Sokol like this.
  4. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    628
    552
    0
    Location:
    Ma, USA
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    Three
    It's charged by the power conversion unit that sits not far from it. It is the transmission and alternator of the car. It has it's own liquid cooling system.
     
    Dmitriy Sokol likes this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,699
    48,946
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    it should also charge when plugged in. unless they changed it from the pip.
     
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Lets assume that the 12 volt battery is charged in a similar fashion to other Prius. In that case this (boring) demo goes over it from 15:10 to 18:00 (on the Prime the 12 volt battery is under the hood, not as stated for the Gen 2, in the back hatch)

     
    WilDavis and Andyprius1 like this.
  7. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2013
    2,327
    859
    1
    Location:
    Cool CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    A great explanation. TY
    In layman’s therms. A potential of 14.5 volts, about becomes available when car is in ready. If the 12V requires charging then current flows and returns the battery to design level. When both sides, the Dc source
    and the 12V are equal, current ceases to flow and charging is complete. Until the next microsecond.
    The charge you showed looks great.
     
  8. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2013
    2,327
    859
    1
    Location:
    Cool CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I think you are right.
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,673
    38,212
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    It would still be worthwhile to hook up to an external smart charger, if the car regularly sits for a day or three.
     
    Andyprius1 likes this.