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Use accessories while charging?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by ntucker, Sep 9, 2013.

  1. ntucker

    ntucker Junior Member

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    Apologies if this is a FAQ (although I checked the FAQ thread) or something I overlooked in the manual, but... is there some trick for using the Plug-in Prius' accessories (radio, fan, etc) while the car is plugged into the EVSE and charging? It won't let me turn the fan on, and I can listen to the radio, but only for a minute or two until the car gets bored and shuts itself off.
     
    #1 ntucker, Sep 9, 2013
  2. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    The only way you can keep the radio on while charging is by putting the car in accessory mode, but then it uses the 12v battery and wears it down.
     
    #2 El Dobro, Sep 9, 2013
  3. Jumpjet

    Jumpjet Member

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    If you're plugged in, then it won't wear the 12v battery down because it's being charged as well as the traction battery. So you're safe to keep it in accessory mode for as long as it's being charged.
     
    #3 Jumpjet, Sep 9, 2013
  4. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    No, I've done this and the system turns the radio off after about 40 minutes even while charging.
     
    #4 El Dobro, Sep 9, 2013
  5. ntucker

    ntucker Junior Member

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    How about the fan? I was sitting in the driveway reading the other day (baby girl asleep in the back seat, decided to wait it out), and the only way I could figure out to get the fan to run was to power the car on, but the EV battery was depleted so I wanted to plug it in, which prevents you from powering it completely on. It doesn't seem like this is possible, but the limitation makes no sense to me.

    I gave up when I realized that in order to run a couple electric accessories, I was going to have to run an internal combustion engine while the EVSE stared at me accusingly from its little hook on the wall. Silliness.
     
    #5 ntucker, Sep 10, 2013
  6. ntucker

    ntucker Junior Member

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    Can you elaborate on "accessory mode"? How do you enable it?
     
    #6 ntucker, Sep 10, 2013
  7. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    You hit the start button once with your foot off of the brake pedal. The instrument panel won't come on, but the radio will.
     
    #7 El Dobro, Sep 10, 2013
  8. fortytwok

    fortytwok Active Member

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    and I'd add that I've noticed no difference in charging times with that option
     
    #8 fortytwok, Sep 10, 2013
  9. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    There wouldn't be because the accessories would be running on the 12v battery.
     
    #9 El Dobro, Sep 10, 2013
  10. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Plug it in then use the AC button on the remote.
     
    #10 markabele, Sep 10, 2013
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