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Running laptop off 12v adapter

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Michael Iacino, Mar 10, 2013.

  1. Michael Iacino

    Michael Iacino Junior Member

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    I just traded in my 2007 Honda civic for a 2010 Prius 4 and LOVE it!! Just a question about the battery.
    I sometimes would sit in a parking lot and use my laptop for work, to remote in to servers etc.. When the laptop got low, I would turn on the ignition one click and charge the battery up with my ac adapter in the 12v outlet. I left it on too long a few times and had to use my little battery jump box to get the car started. I didn't want to leave the car idling, as that would waste a lot of gas. If I do this in the prius, should I start the car and use the laptop plugged in like that? Will the engine kick in if the 12v battery gets low? Just wondering the best way to charge my laptop while using it in the prius, without killing the battery. Thanks!!
     
    #1 Michael Iacino, Mar 10, 2013
  2. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Keep the car on in ready mode. If the battery get low the engine will start and charge the battery.
     
    #2 JMD, Mar 10, 2013
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  3. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    Yes, put it in Ready mode as you would to drive.

    If you often start the car just to run the laptop:
    1) Make sure the climate control is off when you turn the car off
    2) When you start the car immediately put the car into EV mode.
    As long as it's warm enough and the battery initially has enough charge EV mode will avoid running the engine until the traction battery drops to a low level.

    With climate control off and EV on the Prius will only run the engine as necessary to keep the traction battery charged.

    Do note that frequent use of the 12V battery could shorten the battery life. You'll know when it happens because the mpg of the Prius drops noticeably.
     
    #3 ItsNotAboutTheMoney, Mar 10, 2013
  4. Michael Iacino

    Michael Iacino Junior Member

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    So if I put it in ready mode, that shouldn't hurt the battery too much and allow it to stay charged? Thanks for the replies.
     
    #4 Michael Iacino, Mar 10, 2013
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that's correct, the ice will come on as necessary to charge the hybrid battery and the 12v will stay charged properly.
     
    #5 bisco, Mar 10, 2013
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  6. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Concur w/the above. Don't worry about the 12 volt's life as long as the car is in READY mode (READY light on). If you sit around in ACC or IG-ON, as the OP has discovered, that'll drain the 12 volt and is not good for it. Don't do that.
     
    #6 cwerdna, Mar 10, 2013
  7. Want A Hybrid

    Want A Hybrid New Member

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    Thank you much for this data point, I spend quite a bit of time working in my car with the radio on, this is going to be helpful... (assuming that Camry Hybrid is the same...?)
     
    #7 Want A Hybrid, Mar 11, 2013
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  8. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Yes
     
    #8 JMD, Mar 11, 2013
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  9. mnsweeps

    mnsweeps Member

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    Micheal what adaptor are you using for your laptop? I have a Macbook pro and looking for a 12v to laptop adaptor...I also have a windows(dell) laptop and was wondering if I can use the same adaptor(which I will buy) for my Dell laptop ?
     
    #9 mnsweeps, Mar 25, 2013
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