Prius Winter Storage
#2
Re: Prius Winter Storage
If you can, attach a trickle charger to the 12v battery. You can then ignore your prius for up to two months. The Main battery doesn't loose charge quicly, but the 12v can.
Turning the car on will qickly recharge the 12v from the main battery, but you will need to run the ICE in park until the main battery is charged to the green. You may have to start the defroster to keep the ICE on.
JeffD
Turning the car on will qickly recharge the 12v from the main battery, but you will need to run the ICE in park until the main battery is charged to the green. You may have to start the defroster to keep the ICE on.
JeffD
#3
Re: Prius Winter Storage
should be, but call the dealer and see what the party line is, if its not in the manual. 2 weeks may be safer. NimH batteries have a pretty high self-discharge rate compared to lead-acid or Ni-Cad.
Where on LI? I grew up in West Islip.
Where on LI? I grew up in West Islip.
#4
Re: Prius Winter Storage
Also, if you have smart entry/smart start, be sure to disable it by pushing the button below the steering wheel. Leaving it on will cause the battery to discharge faster. When you return, you can still unlock the car by pushing the fob button or using the key.
#7
Re: Prius Winter Storage
Originally Posted by kdorgan
I am a Prius owner who will not be using it during this winter. I will be starting it every 3 weeks. Will this be enough not to have the battery die?? The car will be in L.I. New York
#8
Re: Prius Winter Storage
Originally Posted by gonavy
should be, but call the dealer and see what the party line is, if its not in the manual. 2 weeks may be safer. NimH batteries have a pretty high self-discharge rate compared to lead-acid or Ni-Cad.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NiMH
Nickel metal hydride batteries have a high self-discharge rate of approximately 30% per month and more. This is higher than that of NiCd batteries, which is around 20% per month. The self-discharge rate is highest for full batteries and drops off somewhat for lower charges. The rate is strongly affected by the temperature at which the batteries are stored. Recommended long time storage charge is around 40%.
#9
Re: Prius Winter Storage
Toyota recommends running the Prius 1/2 hr on monthly intervals, IIRC. Twelve volt batt definitely requires maintainence. High voltage have been left 6 months with no problems.
Did you know you can charge the HV to its max (80%) by force charging? You are in "D" and stepping on both pedals, not moving. I would do this before an extended shutdown.
DAS
Did you know you can charge the HV to its max (80%) by force charging? You are in "D" and stepping on both pedals, not moving. I would do this before an extended shutdown.
DAS
#10
Re: Prius Winter Storage
Originally Posted by jdenenberg
If you can, attach a trickle charger to the 12v battery. You can then ignore your prius for up to two months. The Main battery doesn't loose charge quicly, but the 12v can.
Turning the car on will qickly recharge the 12v from the main battery, but you will need to run the ICE in park until the main battery is charged to the green. You may have to start the defroster to keep the ICE on.
JeffD
Turning the car on will qickly recharge the 12v from the main battery, but you will need to run the ICE in park until the main battery is charged to the green. You may have to start the defroster to keep the ICE on.
JeffD