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Inverter coolant temp under engine loads

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Eddie25, Jul 22, 2024 at 1:03 PM.

  1. Eddie25

    Eddie25 Active Member

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    Is getting a boost in inverter coolant temperature during load on the engine normal?

    I started monitoring my inverter coolant temp in the intense heat recently and noticed it'll get a pretty nice boost whenever I give the car an initial load, like leaving a stop, then it'll settle back down. Let's say in 95F weather the inverter coolant temp will be 120F then when I give some decent load it'll go as high as 145F for a few seconds before settling back down.

    I used to monitor it all the time with Hybrid Assistant and I don't remember it ever varying that much at all, but it's been a while.
     
    #1 Eddie25, Jul 22, 2024 at 1:03 PM
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Most often, the reason the engine is under load is that the car is under load, and because the inverter is necessarily involved any time engine power is getting to the wheels, this doesn't seem surprising to me.

    The other usual reason for the engine to be under load is if the car is sitting still but the battery's charging, and the inverter is involved then too. (But charging at idle is not as heavy a load as you can put on the car by driving it.)
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Jul 22, 2024 at 1:04 PM
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