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Is it okay to keep Prius running just for A/C and power inverter?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by hellochicken, Jul 29, 2018.

  1. hellochicken

    hellochicken Junior Member

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    Hey yall. So in a few weeks, I'll be heading to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah for a week to photograph SpeedWeek there, and it's going to be HOT. I'll be camping for the whole week so i'm hoping to rely on the Prius for Air Conditioning, and the power inverter to charge my batteries and to power my laptop to do some editing.

    But is that healthy for the Prius?

    I won't actually be driving the car too much around, so it will be idling most of the time, so I fear that other than using up gasoline, that this could possibly damage the car somehow. I've utilized my Prius in similar fashion before, like while camping, but I've never done this in such heat.

    It's probably not a good thing to even utilized the car like this at all... Have any of yall done this?
     
    #1 hellochicken, Jul 29, 2018
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Many members here have used the Prius for the purpose you are about to:).

    Just don’t hold the poor mpg against your Prius ;).

    Have fun and share some pics here(y).
     
    #2 Raytheeagle, Jul 29, 2018
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  3. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    It'll be completely fine.

    Burning a bunch of gas without actually going anywhere will spoil your MPG scorecard for a while but that really will be the worst of it.

    Nice avatar, our car is decorated in a chicken theme.
     
    #3 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jul 29, 2018
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  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    It will be fine. Stay in Ready, the engine will run to recharge the Battery, the battery will power the A/C. Drive to Wendover to get gas so you don't run out.

    Wendover, Utah - Wikipedia

    Assume there is no civilization between Wendover and SLC, you won't be disappointed. Coming from the south, there is noting past Las Vegas until Wendover unless you count Ely.



    Silver State Classic Challenge Inc.


    Ride Back in Time - Train Rrides

    If you get depressed by desert, Angel Lake is 'close', 82 miles. The Angel Lake Scenic Drive in Nevada : Photos, Maps and Information
     
    #4 JimboPalmer, Jul 29, 2018
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  5. hellochicken

    hellochicken Junior Member

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    Thx for the Angel Lake Drive suggestion - I'll definintley plan to check it out! I want to photograph as much as I can of the landscapes inthe area.
     
    #5 hellochicken, Jul 29, 2018
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  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Metaphor: The Tree of Utah - Wikipedia

    About the Refuge - Ruby Lake - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

    Metropolis, Nevada - Wikipedia
    Currie, Nevada - Wikipedia

    When I lived in Nevada, the daughter of the mayor of Wells worked in one of the brothels there.
    Donna's Ranch Wells Nevada United States

    Some will be 'near by' as you drive from Vegas up US 93. If you take I-15 to SLC and over on I-80 I know less.
     
    #6 JimboPalmer, Jul 29, 2018
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  7. hellochicken

    hellochicken Junior Member

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    I'll be heading up the 93, but on the way back, I might be heading on the 80 west, so I can drive down the eastern sierras of California. We'll see...
     
    #7 hellochicken, Jul 30, 2018
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