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What about installing a 12v heater for the winter?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Jimbo69ny, Sep 24, 2012.

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  1. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

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    I know they exist but I don't know how efficient they are compared to using the ICE to heat the cabin air temp.
    I know it would use more electric giving us less EV range but sometimes that may be ok. During short trips I want to be warm and not have to waste gas on the ICE.

    Hopefully someone smarter than me can chime in and tell us if it would be worth it.
     
    #1 Jimbo69ny, Sep 24, 2012
  2. priuskitty

    priuskitty PIP FAN

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    heating your cabin would take a lot of BTU's that's why ICE is used, gasoline has more BTU's than EV can handle heating your cabin.
     
    #2 priuskitty, Sep 24, 2012
  3. ryogajyc

    ryogajyc Active Member

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    My understanding is that is the point of the electric seat warmers. Instead of inefficiently heating the entire cabin, it warms you more directly and efficiently via the seat.
     
    #3 ryogajyc, Sep 24, 2012
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  4. priuskitty

    priuskitty PIP FAN

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    seat warmers don't defrost your windshield tho:D
     
    #4 priuskitty, Sep 24, 2012
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  5. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

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    Yeah I dont think the seat heaters will be enough for me.
     
    #5 Jimbo69ny, Sep 24, 2012
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  6. rockerdan

    rockerdan PiP Rocks!

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    My VW seat heaters would toast me so hot I had to turn them to low immediately. These PiP heaters on HI just barely feel warm in comparison. I assume they didnt want to pull too much power from battery.

    Dan
     
    #6 rockerdan, Sep 24, 2012
  7. DLee

    DLee Junior Member

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    I wonder if there would be an advantage to using an electric block heater during the winter months. The ice would be warmed up by electric, instead of gasoline. It could be put on a timer to make the ICE warm in time for the morning commute.
     
    #7 DLee, Sep 25, 2012
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  8. miscrms

    miscrms Plug Envious Member

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    There definitely is, and you'll find lots of threads on the topic searching EBH or "block heater" in the Gen 2 and Gen 3 forums. Seems like it could be even more beneficial on the PiP.
     
    #8 miscrms, Sep 25, 2012
  9. rockerdan

    rockerdan PiP Rocks!

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    I think the best thing would be if a block heater was able to make block/coolant warm enough so HEAT/WARM AIR would blow from the heater without ICE starting. Now that would be AWesome!

    Dan
     
    #9 rockerdan, Sep 25, 2012
  10. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    #10 fotomoto, Sep 25, 2012
  11. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

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    Yes that is another option I was thinking about.

    If a 12v heater wasn't a good option then i would do this.

    I'm pretty sure the answer is no but does anyone know if the Prius keeps the 12v battery charged when its plugged in? I'm almost positive that the "ready" light has to be on in order for the 12v battery to charge from the HV pack.

    Sitting a ceramic heater in the rear hatch area and plugging it into a timer on an outlet on the wall of your garage is probably going to be the only option. If I knew the pip kept the 12v battery charged while plugged in I'd either try a 12v heater or install a power inverter and a ceramic heater on a timer off the 12v battery.
     
    #11 Jimbo69ny, Sep 26, 2012
  12. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    No, the 12V isn't replenished/charged when the car is off.
     
    #12 fotomoto, Sep 26, 2012
  13. ryogajyc

    ryogajyc Active Member

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    The Plug-in charges the 12V when the vehicle is plugged in.
    12 Volt Battery | Page 2 | PriusChat
    This applies to just the Liftback. The Plug-in will charge the 12V when off and plugged in.
     
    #13 ryogajyc, Sep 26, 2012
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  14. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

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    That is awesome news!! That means I can heat my car while it is plugged in!
    Now I am going to look at options. Im going to look for a small, ceramic space heater. Unfortunately Id have to go to the car to turn it on or off. So Im also going to see if I can find some kind of remote switching device. If I find an AC one Ill buy a power inverter and use a small ceramic space heater. If I find a DC one Ill buy a DC powered space heater. If I had a regular schedule I would just use a timer but I dont.

    Regardless, that is great news thank you ryogajyc!
     
    #14 Jimbo69ny, Sep 26, 2012
  15. ryogajyc

    ryogajyc Active Member

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    Um, your welcome, but I think it only opens up the possibility of using a DC powered space heater. Depending on the current/power draw, it's still possible a DC space heater drains the 12V battery despite being charged.
     
    #15 ryogajyc, Sep 26, 2012
  16. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

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    Your right. I will have to look at how many amps the 12 volt battery is charged at when plugged in. If the heater consumes more than the amps charging the battery, the battery could die.
     
    #16 Jimbo69ny, Sep 28, 2012
  17. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

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    Shit, I dont want to disconnect my battery to put my meter inline. Is there any other way to do this? I dont want to lose my settings and stats.
     
    #17 Jimbo69ny, Sep 28, 2012
  18. ryogajyc

    ryogajyc Active Member

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    #18 ryogajyc, Sep 28, 2012
  19. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

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    Cool Ill go pick one up today.
     
    #19 Jimbo69ny, Sep 28, 2012
  20. John H

    John H Senior Member

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    I would suggest finding a circuit that is energized ONLY when the vehicle is plugged in. The last thing you want is to get off a plane and find your PiP dead in the parking lot. Then consider using an electric heater with a thermostat rather than a timer. I suspect keeping the cabin warmed is easier than reheating it from frozen in a few minutes.

    I keep my vehicle garaged so I don't have much practical experience with this problem. I can do a remote start 10 minutes ahead of departure and get the cabin pre-conditioned while it is plugged in, or not.
     
    #20 John H, Sep 28, 2012
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