Hi all Anyone know the cooling rating of my air conditiong unit (in BTU/h or kW) of my 2012 Prius Gen3? thanks Valerie
It's better than my 2007 PT Cruiser, that I know for sure. We just bought a new level 5 and even in 100 degree heat it will freeze you out of the car if that's what you want (and I do).
From the 2012 Prius New Car Features Manual: Heater Heater Output W 5200 Air Flow Volume m3/h 330 Power Consumption W 190 Cooler Cooling Capacity W 4920 Air Flow Volume m3/h 475 Power Consumption W 240
In terms of power draw the A/C can draw 1900w when going full bore. It drops to 1500w after a few minutes and eventually settles at 300-600w depending on outside temp and your settings.
If you meant to quote me I measured the power draw with the Torque App and a Bluetooth OBDII adapter.
Being in the Phx heat and using the ScanGuageII (ACw), the A/C does max out @1900W draw when first getting into your auto in the afternoons. Depending on the temps outside to cool and maintain the cabin, the A/C can draw from 0-200W in the mornings to 900W draw at @100f heat. I never had the auto when outside temps were at 115f and I wonder what it would take to cool the car. Yes, the A/C is ice cold and has no hardship even though its not running off a pulley belt like in gas autos. Considering the hot climate here, I don't think I ever ran the fan speed beyond 3-4 bars. Ever. The draw of the A/C would not matter if you had the fan on high or low.
Following document of Gen2 Prius says "Cooling Performance 3.4 kW". http://www.epa.gov/cppd/Presentations/Matsunaga%20electric%20inverter.pdf Ken@Japan
