Just curious, but I've noticed my range slipping maybe 5% or so during my commute now that the summer temps are here (been in the mid 90s here). I don't run the A/C, so wondering if the heat is having an effect on battery efficiency.
The A/C doesn't seem to bother the MIPG like the heater does. Creature comfort options are meant to be used.
You may be experiencing a negative impact to the battery by not keeping it comfortable. Use the A/C to keep both yourself and the battery cooler. Then report back to use if there's an improvement. btw, If you had an aftermarket phone-app, like HybridAssistant, you could actually monitor the battery temperature.
Since hot weather is here, and I must now park outside and I must charge every day around 1000, after returning home. I wonder if Maybe I should precondition before charging for Bat. longivity.
I would imagine the fans would come on to keep the batteries cool while charging. When I get home from my commute on hot days and I plug the Volt in, after a few minutes, I can hear the A/C compressor come on to cool the batteries.
Finally, Video of Prime Battery Disassembly Discussion in 'Prime Technical Discussion' started by DavidA, Yesterday at 10:55 PM. Look for that post by DavidA. Very good videos by John Kelly, Professor at Weber St University. He warns how not using the AC can be detrimental to the life of a Prius battery. Also very good videos of the transaxle and regen brake system. I don't have a Prime. But I use my AC 90% of the year. Gas mileage is fine. The Professor explains that you are hurting your battery more, than you are saving fuel or increasing efficiency.
Following a full charge in the summer, even though the estimated range might indicate 37 miles, if it is driven in temps of the 90's F, the actual range might be only 2/3rds that, or less, especially if the A/C is used. High battery temps will absolutely reduce the EV mileage. The Prime seems to just love temps of 60-75.
This was confirmed in real time if any of you watched the special on the Solar Impulse 2 flying around the world. They went into a very good description of the performance and range loss due to battery temps. After watching that show, I ALWAYS allow my A/C to run during charging if it want's it.
Good point, the annoying thing is, to quickly hit yes before it disappears. No adj. for that I suppose. The ideal would be to always keep the battery at its healthy temp.
After a drive down the shore last night, I plugged the Volt in to charge it and even at 82F, the A/C came on to cool the battery.
i wonder if volt relies more on cooling than battery/control software design, and prime relies more on battery/control software more than cooling? since one is liquid cooled and the other air cooled.
From what I've read, the battery also heats up when discharging, so after my highway run, the system starting cooling the battery for charging. The system is doing what it's designed for, protecting the battery.
When the traction battery is hot, the Prime asks if it's OK to run the A/C while charging. See the PriusChat discussion thread here. I've seen this pop-up message on several occasions when I have turned off the car, but I've never been fast enough able to respond to it before it disappears. (I think the default setting is Yes.)
If it is hot outside, or you think the battery temps will cause that screen to appear, just anticipate it and have your finger on the left button. There is about 4 seconds to respond.
