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adding a solar panel to the P2 12V battery

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by groar, May 2, 2012.

  1. groar

    groar X-Frenchy: very

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    Quickly searched the forum but didn't found any thread showing it done. If I mis-searched, thanks to direct me to an existing thread.

    Sunny days should be back during next weeks, so a project is coming back in my head...

    On the net there are several threads where people are adding a small solar panel to the 12V battery of an HCH. I did so with a low grade amorphous 13W panel to my Mégane (old turbo diesel) through a charge regulator that I configured so it charged the battery only while the alternator was off (glides ICE off).

    The goal is to set and forget it. The charge controller has a small LCD screen so I can verify it, but I don't think to put it on the dash, as it contains a thermometer that should be at a temperature close enough the the charged battery. Also that little LCD screen doesn't love sun at all : after a couple of minutes under direct sun it becomes black for a couple of hours...

    Would it be OK to do the same to the Prius 12V battery ?
    Is setting the charge controller to limit the charge @13.7V would be OK ?

    Of course it will not charge the HV, but it would be sad to let the charge controller and the panel in the garage...

    Denis.
     
    #1 groar, May 2, 2012
  2. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #2 cwerdna, May 2, 2012
  3. lopezjm2001

    lopezjm2001 Senior Member

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    The Prius Gen2 uses a DC Converter to charge the 12V auxiliary battery using power from the HV battery when needed. I do not see much point in using a solar panel for this application. However I use a solar panel mounted on the inside of the rear hatch window to power a series of fans to cool down the cabin. I have PHEV kits which need cooling down.
    See this link http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-p...-dc-dc-overheating-issues-10.html#post1472841
     
    #3 lopezjm2001, May 2, 2012
  4. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #4 cwerdna, May 2, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  5. lopezjm2001

    lopezjm2001 Senior Member

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    ..
     
    #5 lopezjm2001, May 2, 2012
  6. NortTexSalv04Prius

    NortTexSalv04Prius Active Member

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    Can you take an image and share plz. I have wondered about 12v parasitc condition as well?
     
    #6 NortTexSalv04Prius, May 2, 2012
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