Quarantined 12 volt battery concerns

Plugging the car doesn’t do much if anything to recharge 12v. Invest in a smart maintainer/charger with a quick disconnect.

 

Keeping the charging cord plugged in will drain the 12v battery faster. In your situation, just keeping the car in READY mode once every 2-3 months is enough.

 

You might consider a smart battery maintainer such as this Schumacher unit available for about $40. It includes both alligator and eye terminal leads, the latter which can be permanently installed to the battery electrodes (both have quick-connect plugs which allow for using a pig tail accessible through the grill or elsewhere).

We've used these for years on our garaged vehicles without issue (our daily driver Prius lives outdoors without the maintainer).

 

Duplicate post

 

Running the ICE doesn't accomplish anything in a Prius, since, unlike in conventional gasoline powered cars which have alternator attached to the ICE by a belt, the ICE in a Prius has nothing to do with with charging the 12V battery. And as pointed out, just leaving it plugged in will actually drain the 12V battery, since the electronics related to charging will be on. Just leaving it "READY" for a while will actually charge the 12V battery somewhat (from the big traction battery), but the consensus in this forum seems to be that a battery maintainer is really the only solution if the car is not driven for a really long time.

 

Until you’re able to get a smart charger (which I heartily second), if the car’s idle for protracted days: disconnect and isolate the 12 volt negative cable from the post. The battery will be stable for quite some time compared to if it’s connected: when connected there’s a low but constant drain.

Keep in mind you WILL need to reset radio presets, trip meters may be lost, and there’s a possibility auto-up of one-or-more windows may need to be relearned.

To do the latter run the window right down while holding the switch, then back all the way up, again holding the switch the whole time, and then CONTINUE to hold switch at least 2 more seconds.

Also before disconnecting verify you gave manual key and it works, and familiarize yourself with the manual hatch release, inside the hatch. And maybe make a list of the radio presets, if you care.

Addendum, couple of other post-disconnect foibles:

1. The first start-up may be “odd”, forget how exactly, but shut down and try again should fix it.

2. During the first two or three subsequent start-up, there may be an odd engine rev-up, for just a few seconds. I’d guess it’s the car trying to recalibrate some engine parameters.

 

As has been mentioned, that really isn't a good plan.
Not enough run time to fully charge the battery AND get the ICE up to operating temperature.

A "battery tender" is really the best solution.
You don't need to keep it plugged in.......for months......because the HV battery will be just fine.

AND.....just because you are "in quarantine" does not mean that you can't go out at all.
As long as you STAY inside the car and don't have contact with any other people, it is NOT a violation of "the rules".
And it can be good therapy just to get out in the fresh air and DO something, even if it is just riding around.

 

Which is why I posted the Amazon link for a Schumacher automatic tender. For $40 you can have it delivered right to your door in two days (less than a combination pizza and a six pack of decent suds). If you don't already have Amazon Prime, you can get a free trial then opt out (or don't auto renew).

Heck, this unit even claims to have an effective auto-desulfator, Given the cost of a replacement Prius 12V battery, or angst of finding it dead, this is provides inexpensive peace of mind

 

Have you confirmed that specifically under Pennsylvania rules? Here is what one Pennsylvania county says:



I'm seeing several Pennsylvania items indicating that quarantine requirements include a restriction of movement, not just isolation.

 

Take care of yourself and your wife. We hope for your speedy and full recovery. Don't worry about your brand new PP. It won't hurt by just having it parked not driven for 2-3 weeks. The 12v battery will be low, but won't be dead if it is a brand new battery as I suppose it is. Even if in the event of a dead 12v battery, a simple jump-start will take care of it. You have much more important things to attend to right now. Good luck.

 

Which is what I said, pretty much.
"Restricted" movement does not mean NO movement.

 

Yeah just disconnect the 12 volt neg cable.

 

Just buy and use a battery maintainer/trickle charger. Some chargers have this mode built-in. You should probably have a charger anyway.

 

Like hell it doesn't, at least in some places and under some rules. Apparently you haven't been seeing the news of some quarantined people being arrested or fined for merely stepping out of their hotel rooms. Yes, even in the U.S.

From the PA web page linked earlier:
"If I’m quarantined what protocol does my family have to follow? 
... Do not travel or leave the place to which you have been quarantined or isolated."

Other PA jurisdictions give some very limited reasons to leave the quarantine location, e.g. to obtain medical care and food. Exercising a car battery is not one of them.

Until OP gives more specific detail of his particular situatuon, you have no rational basis for declaring that his quarantine order "does not mean NO movement" or that he can still go riding around.

=======================
P.S. In fact, looking up his county's requirements, I find a sample quarantine order declaring this {emphasis added):

"THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that you remain within the premises of your home and follow the precautions and directions specified in the attached COVID-19 QUARANTINEINSTRUCTIONS (the "INSTRUCTIONS"). You may not leave these premises for any reason, including to go to work, or to attend school, unless authorized by the Department or unless your employer deems you an essential worker and then you can go to work and upon leaving work you must return directly home;"

"The individual must not leave their home/property where they are being quarantined. You are allowed to walk outside on your property but should not come within six feet of others"

 

If "rational" is the measure, then I absolutely DO have a basis because "rules" like the ones you quoted are few and far between........because they are irrational.

NOW.....that doesn't mean that I disagree with areas that have done that.
In fact, I think more should have done it because a remarkable percentage of people are morons and must be MADE to do the right thing.
Witness the parties after the Super Bowl.
You can't fix stupid.

Mother Nature is trying to fix it........but there is too much collateral damage.

 

... so now it is being argued that such restrictions on movement are both irrational and rational, apparently in superposition.

 

Yes. Now you are getting it.

It depends entirely on the circumstances.

It is irrational if not needed.......except for the noted "stupid" exception.

IF.....we would have had good National leadership from the very beginning.......mandating masks and no large crowds NATION WIDE......and enforcing it, most competent medical authorities think we could have prevented near to HALF of the cases and deaths.
That means something like 200,000 people NOT DEAD because of leadership screw ups.

IF......we could have kept it "tamped down" with limited restrictions, draconian restrictions would not be necessary.

AND......that is still true. Morons who refuse to wear masks and go out in public and congregate in large numbers are KILLING PEOPLE.
Yes, that includes unrestricted religious services too.