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Using Air Conditioning while Plug-in Charging?

Discussion in 'Prime Plug-in Charging' started by furtech, Jun 10, 2018.

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  1. furtech

    furtech Junior Member

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    I searched the forums and could not find any discussion about this situation: My 2012 Plug-in was plugged-in and charging (and was about 1/2 charged). It was about 86f outside and I had my two dogs in the car (with plenty of water, in the shade). I decided to turn the air conditioning on for them while I was working in another area.

    You can only put the car in Accessory mode while plugged in, so I turned the AC on and cool air flowed from the vents. Since I don't entirely trust any tech, I left all windows open half-way (so at worst, if everything failed, they would be no warmer than in the backyard in the shade). Yes, this is extremely inefficient (ac with windows wide open), but dogs > ac cost to me.

    I had read in other threads that the AC runs off the hybrid battery. Since the AC came on while in Access. mode, I thought that it would run as long as the car was plugged in and charging. Not the case: at some point, the entire Access. mode turned itself off. Fortunately, since the windows were wide open, the dogs were less-comfortable, but fine.

    My questions:
    1. Does the Accessory mode automatically turn itself off after a certain period of time, even if the car is plugged in?

    2. Since the hybrid battery was plugged in and charging, and the ac runs off the hybrid battery, why did it shut the ac/access.mode off?

    3. If I had unplugged the car and put it in "Ready Mode" (running), would the car (and ac) run indefinitely as long as there was gas in the tank?

    4. Related to (3.): You can't lock the car while it's running and the key is not inside...would being unlocked and running trigger any mode that would turn the engine off and lock the car after a period of time?

    5. If I had both key fobs, could I leave one in the car, lock the car, then use the other key fob to open it later?

    Thanks!
     
    #1 furtech, Jun 10, 2018
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Both our BMW i3-REx and Prius Prime run in accessory mode for a period of time less than 30 minutes. The BMW i3-REx was plugged into the downtown, fast DC charger which only provides power in 30 minute sessions. While listening to tunes, the accessory mode shutdown. Preconditioning also works for about 30 minuets.

    One reason is the 12V DC-to-DC converter does NOT run when the car is charging. I have seen this with a ScanGauge on the Prius Prime. The 12V battery is slowly discharging. Yes, this is nuts but that is how it is.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #2 bwilson4web, Jun 11, 2018
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2018
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    1) yes.

    2) inscrutable.

    3) yes.

    4) no, your car could be stolen.

    5) no, you can lock the door with the mechanical key.
     
    #3 bisco, Jun 11, 2018
  4. furtech

    furtech Junior Member

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    Many thanks to Bob Wilson and Bisco: that's what I needed to know!

    To Bisco:
    wrt (4): Car could be stolen, but I only do this when the dogs are inside (and they are not subtle about letting people know they're inside!). Thief would have to be kind of crazy.

    wrt (5) The 2012 Plug-in does not have a physical key! (which I -hate-), just the fob.

    Thanks again!

    Lex, Apache, & Noob
     
    #4 furtech, Jun 12, 2018
    bisco likes this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there is a keyhole in the driver door handle. the key is stored inside the fob. the little bump with the ring is the end, just push on the release and pull it out.

    now would be a good time to test it, and lube if needed. do you have an owners manual?
     
    #5 bisco, Jun 12, 2018
  6. furtech

    furtech Junior Member

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    Oh! My bad! I'd totally forgotten about that-- and check/lubing it is a good idea (never used it).

    It is the key-fob insert slot that the 2012 doesn't have anymore (my previous Prius was a gen2/2005).
     
    #6 furtech, Jun 13, 2018
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    right!
     
    #7 bisco, Jun 13, 2018
  8. krushmoto

    krushmoto Member

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    Here's my stupid question. How do I get the a/c to turn on before I get in? I've pressed and held the a/c button on the remote but nothing happens. I've tried with the charger plugged in and doors locked and unlocked and unplugged as well. Nothing.
    What am I doing wrong?
    Thanks.

    Nexus 6P ?
     
    #8 krushmoto, Jun 26, 2018
  9. VTBIGDOG

    VTBIGDOG Active Member

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    The air will run only if you had it set to run when you shut the car off. So if the air was off at that time, it will not turn on remotely. Make sure it is set prior to shutting the car off, then try it again remotely

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #9 VTBIGDOG, Jun 27, 2018
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  10. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    There is a small red light that needs to flash at least 3 times by holding the keyfob A/C button down within range. It does work through my house wall.

    I typically enable it from the house before getting dressed and heading to car. With the EVSE plugged in, I can monitor in the house BUT it brings the SOC down 2-3% if on an L1 charger. It runs about 17 minutes.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #10 bwilson4web, Jun 27, 2018
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