How the electrical system works in Prius Prime?

I do not understand how inverters work, but I'm guessing how much gas you use depends on how many watts you are pulling and for how long?

Oh no, I've just quoted you!

 

A inverter changes DC to AC, just the opposite of a rectifier. The engine runs when a charge is required. The less the load (Wattage) the longer the charge is sufficient. probably 100- 300 watts when camping is sensible.
The Voltage X Current = Watts, all are usually stated on the appliance. I tested both my 2005 and 2012,
to see how they would work in a emergency. I ran my Fridge, TV, Computer and minimum lighting without a hitch with a non- sinusoidal inverter. If as you say the device requires a sine wave inverter, then that’s whats required. It’s a one time purchase, a lifetime use. The load should never exceed the output of the inverter. Make sure your inverter to battery connections are secure. If anything gets too hot to touch, DISCONNECT
Try it all out in your garage first, for one night and see how it works. Before test starts, turn your main CB,
Circuit breaker, to the house, apt......OFF.

 

Why would I turn my main circuit breaker off? Are you suggesting trying to tie the inverter into my home's wiring? I don't think I'm going to try that. I'm lucky in that my bedroom adjoins my garage, and I have a refrigerator in my garage. My main uses for this would be my CPAP machine and keeping some food cold in an emergency.
I'm looking at pure sine wave inverters on Amazon. It's difficult to determine which are good.
(1) How many watts is your inverter rated for and what brand is it?
(2) How did you connect it to your Prius' 12v system?
(3) You said you tried this on your 2005 and 2012. So this inverter use isn't just something that the Primes or plug-ins are good for? I guess you could do it with any car, but with most cars you'd have to leave the engine running constantly. Is that why the Prius is particularly suited for this inverter usage?

 

1. Notice: testing for a emergency
2.If doing #1, the incoming AC from the power company could destroy, the inverter and/or the car.
3. I paid about $100 on line, Ebay, 1000 Watts, .but mine is a sawtooth, you need a sine wave
4. The more expensive, the better.
#3 Your post: yes X 4
As for connecting inverter input to 12V battery that is explained in the inverter instructions.
Good Luck.

 

I guess the reason the Prius is so well-suited to powering an inverter, beyond it being fuel-efficient, is the fact that when the engine is running, all of the power is being used since it goes to the hv battery? Whereas in a regular car you'd have to run the engine constantly and a lot of the electricity generated by the engine (and thus gas) would be wasted?

 

Exactly

 

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It used for sleep apnea and some other airway disorders. It provides pressurized air to you via a mask while you're sleeping to ensure your airway remains open. Otherwise you never get into deep sleep because you "wake up" as much as several times every minute because your body isn't taking in enough air.