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working from home... prius battery health

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by golfmk681, Dec 22, 2020.

  1. golfmk681

    golfmk681 Active Member

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    So before covid I put around 300 miles per week on my prius driving to and from work.
    With Covid and having two cars I drive it 1-2x a week and I have family who uses it 1-2x a week. Most are short distance less than 15 miles. Am I harming my battery by not driving the car as much?
     
    #1 golfmk681, Dec 22, 2020
    Paul Schenck likes this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe a little. what are you driving, and how many miles?

    keep an eye on the 12v too
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 22, 2020
  3. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

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    My wife too has been using hers once a week instead of every day. I haven’t had a problem yet though I have noticed she is getting better milage than I am because she only does the 10 min freeway drive and mine are all store hops to pick up tools and materials.


    iPhone ?
     
    #3 Paul Schenck, Dec 22, 2020
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    It's fine... But periodic charging & balancing of the high voltage battery with a maxx volt or hybrid automotive system would be well worth the investment, especially if you have multiple hybrid cars in your family.
     
    #4 PriusCamper, Dec 22, 2020
  5. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    That should be sufficiently regular use to keep the HV battery "exercised" but that kind of short trip won't be enough to keep the 12V battery charged. A longer trip (maybe 40-60 minutes once per week) - would be good for the car by allowing all the systems to get up to full temperature, charging the 12V, scrubbing rust off the brakes, etc.

    Also throw some fuel stabilizer in the gas tank- or drive it often enough to refill the tank at least every 2 months.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #5 mr_guy_mann, Dec 22, 2020
  6. golfmk681

    golfmk681 Active Member

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    Hmmm. Good point about the 12v.
     
    #6 golfmk681, Dec 22, 2020
  7. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    I bought a battery maintainer, charger and desulfator for 12v AGM batteries myself. 1 week a month should be more than enough. Do you have an outlet nearby?
     
    #7 Skibob, Dec 23, 2020
  8. golfmk681

    golfmk681 Active Member

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    No I usually park on the street. Anyway, I intent to drive my car more since I added some sound deadening and now new shocks and new cv axel.
     
    #8 golfmk681, Dec 24, 2020
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Access to 120 volt not possible? Then you might consider installing a 12 volt cut-off switch. Or something: a steady diet of once-a-week drives is hard on the 12 volt.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Dec 24, 2020
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