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2017 Prius Prime Advanced

Discussion in 'Prime Plug-in Charging' started by DanMichSr7, Mar 11, 2018.

  1. DanMichSr7

    DanMichSr7 Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I'm retired and have set my timer for 9pm at night Monday thru Sunday. We never use the vehicle at night and once in awile not even in the day. My question is, the last time we use the Prius the EV % is empty I plug it in at around 5pm. By 7am the next moring of course it fully charged.

    1. Is it ok or will it do any harm to leave it plugged in for a few days without using the car. That would mean that at 9pm the following night it will try to charge and it should be near full. Or

    2. Unplugg the vehicle after the first night. Then not using the car for a few days then Use the Prius and return it to my garage, plug it in and have it know to start charging at 9pm.
     
    #1 DanMichSr7, Mar 11, 2018
  2. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    It is best to leave it plugged in, especially living in the north... like Maine.

    I'm in Minnesota, so the benefit of having the battery tended to while away is nice. That keeps it warm for you, preventing its temperature from dropping below freezing. That ensures the best performance. Lithium chemistry increases resistance significant when cold.

    Also, keep in mind that you can stop & start charging at any battery level. You don't need to completely empty it before recharging or completely recharge it before driving.
     
    #2 john1701a, Mar 11, 2018
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    In the winter, I would leave it plugged in so that it can draw power to warm the battery. In the summer, I'd go with option 2 and just unplug it when it's done. (But there is no harm leaving it as far as I know).

    Also, for battery longevity, I would use the "Departure" setting rather than the "Start" setting.

    In other words, instead of starting the charge at 9pm, I would have the car end the charge at 7am (so it can start some time overnight). The idea is to reduce the time where the battery is sitting at full (called cold soak if I remember correctly).
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Mar 11, 2018
    Lucifer likes this.
  4. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    The purpose of "cold soak" is to give the battery as much time as possible to rest between usage & charging. This maximizes longevity. So, the suggestion to set the timer for departure rather than start is good advice.
     
    #4 john1701a, Mar 11, 2018
    Lucifer and Tideland Prius like this.
  5. Mayank Jain

    Mayank Jain Member

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    Location:
    Cupertino, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    For moderate climates (like North California, Cupertino) : should i keep my charger plugged in if I only drive on the weekends?

    If I do keep the PiP plugged in at all times, does it do a lot of damage to the battery?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #5 Mayank Jain, Mar 12, 2018
  6. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    None.

    Charging automatically stops at 83%. It never goes beyond that. So, there's no stress on the battery.
     
    #6 john1701a, Mar 12, 2018
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    however, it would be a good idea not to charge your car on a regular basis, if you aren't going to drive it.
     
    #7 bisco, Mar 12, 2018
  8. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    That's far too vague! Without detail, you're contributing to misconceptions.

    I suggest if you aren't going to be driving for at least a week, keep the change-level around 50%.
     
    #8 john1701a, Mar 12, 2018
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    rtfm, vague is the official toyota word of the day.
     
    #9 bisco, Mar 12, 2018
  10. Mayank Jain

    Mayank Jain Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    Plug-in Advanced
    So I should just leave the car plugged in at all times. Correct?
     
    #10 Mayank Jain, Mar 12, 2018
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