Jumping 2013 prius from 2013 camry hybrid - burning smell

As long as the proper procedure/order of connections were made, everything should be fine.

I don't see where it was possible to get any sparking or arcing when connecting to the Camry battery, which might cause that ozone smell, because the last electrical connection completing the circuit between the two cars would've been to the Prius chassis ground.

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How high did you rev the engine? Could be heat build up from the revving....

REVVL V+ 5G ?

 

Everything sounds like it was done properly. Perhaps you are just smelling some vented gas from the Camry battery.

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Now that it looks like there's no damage, I'm wondering why the manual said to raise the Camry engine RPMs for jump starting since the 12V charging system doesn't require the engine to run in a hybrid. Wait, now I see it. It was the Prius manual that said that and the writer assumed the donor car would be a gasser and need the engine to charge the battery.

So, long story short, when jumping from a hybrid, there's no point in revving the engine since the DC/DC converter in the inverter will put out the necessary charging current whether the engine is running or not.

But the best way to do it is to get one of those lithium jump packs so you don't risk damaging the charging system in either car. Cheap insurance. I've used mine four times in the couple years I've had it; all on other people's cars.

 

Buy it and keep it accessible in the passenger compartment as the hatch is unlikely to open when you need it. Then place a recurring reminder on your calendar once a year to pull it out and charge it. The $100 is chump change if you accidently reverse polarity a normal jump cable for even one second.

 

That's the one I have.

 

That battery you jumped is probably toast.

Measure it sitting at the front jump point. Should be 12.6 volts. One good battery drain to zero volts with a interior light bulb and that will usually damage the battery. Don't make 'em like they used to.

 

Not related to your question, but you disconnected the jump start cables and then started the Prius? Or am I mis-reading?

 

12v batteries do age and normal parasitic draws will reduce a batteries voltage overnight. If it is 12.2 or better in the morning I would not worry about it. AGM batteries are designed for an occasional deep discharge. That is why they cost more.

It is rare that a bad 12v battery causes bad mpg. It has to have a serious internal failure that causes a continuous 50-100 amp charging current from the inverter. That kind of current is easily detected by a constant 14.7 or higher charge voltage while in Ready which can be monitored from your head unit while you drive. Search google for "Display Audio Service Menu w Battery Check". Normally the charging voltage will start high but should drop into the 13's within 10 or 15 minutes.

A weak hv battery will reduce mpg.

Your original question about an electrical burning smell in the Camry is more concerning in my book. Electrical component overheating is very distinctive and is rarely confused with anything else. Even dust and debris burning off the electrical heating module does not smell like electrical. Time will tell on that issue.

 

That's a good practice if you have to crank a cold V8 with a little 12 volt motor. But all the Prius 12V has to is close a couple relays and boot some tiny computers.