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Louder than normal noise under hood when running AC

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by NWDiedrich, Jun 21, 2016.

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  1. NWDiedrich

    NWDiedrich Junior Member

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    Good to know that the sound level is likely normal. Thanks all.
     
    #21 NWDiedrich, Jun 27, 2016
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    pleasure.
     
    #22 bisco, Jun 27, 2016
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I ran Remote A/C twice last Sunday because of this thread (I usually just rely on the SPVS) to check out the sound.

    1. In the morning, I ran it. It was soft and non-intrusive. But then, it was 9am and not particularly hot yet. The interior was mild when I got in but you could tell the A/C ran because it had that distinctive A/C smell
    2. I ran it again in the afternoon after about 1 hour of parking (partially in the shade as the sun rotated and the tree provided partial shade to the rear of the car). It was LOUD. It's of course warmer in the afternoon so the A/C ran harder.

    So yeah, it can be soft or it can be loud depending on outside temperature, interior temperature, and your set temperature for the climate control. Oh and I was in ECO mode if that matters but I've actually never tested to see if the A/C runs in ECO mode if you are in ECO mode or whether it just runs at full blast to cool the interior.
     
    #23 Tideland Prius, Jun 27, 2016
  4. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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    it runs slightly slower in eco mode/
     
    #24 StarCaller, Jun 28, 2016
  5. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    I'm hoping that makes the hyperexpensive compressor last longer.
     
    #25 CR94, Jun 28, 2016
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Caught mine the other day running 2250 watts briefly after being parked in hot sun. I guess I don't know exactly what the maximum possible is.

    So it's not just a matter of it can sometimes run a little harder than other times ... the controller has (nearly at least) a full factor-of-ten range of power levels to tell the compressor to run at, depending on temperatures, humidity, fan speed, your temp setting, and eco setting.

    Naturally it doesn't sound the same when it's loafing along at 1/3 HP as it does when putting out 3 HP.

    -Chap
     
    #26 ChapmanF, Jun 29, 2016
    Tideland Prius likes this.
  7. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    I notice the compressor noise on mine (11x 2 Prius/ 16 CT). They tend to run hard for about 15 seconds .. then the noise goes away until it cycles again ... I head it today while sitting in the sun .. parked.
     
    #27 yeldogt, Jul 1, 2016
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