Jump Box and death warnings

It sounds to me like he was in either CYA or paranoia mode.

You can get hurt or killed by working carelessly or uninformed on a conventional engine too - the main difference is that the 200 volts DC in the Prius is present in some places even with the engine stopped. But don't worry - all the high voltage cables (keep in mind the 200VDC gets jacked up even more by the inverter) are covered in those bright orange cables.

I would just treat the engine compartment of your car with the same respect you would a conventional engine. As far as jumps go, check the manual - it is possible to jump the Prius with another car - thats what the 12V battery extender terminal is for - but it is not recommended to GIVE a jump to another car, most likely because you don't want spikes/transients on the electrical system of the electronic controllers.

 

I don't think anyone would have the guts to dig around inside the Synergy Drive if something went wrong. And, of course you're going to bring it into the dealership...it's under warranty for heaven's sake! :wink:

This is the first I've heard about a "jumpbox". If you look in the Prius Manual there is a section on jumping your car if the battery goes dead. It explains the standard safe way to connect jumper cables to a box under the hood that is designed for jumping the Prius. Wait a minute....could that be the box your dealer was talking about. I was assuming it is a standard feature under the hood. I seriously doubt that a dealer would stoop so low as to take it out and then charge you for it. I haven't actually looked for it on my car; I was just assuming it was there.

I'll see if I have it and get back to you.

 

A jub box is a self contained battery and jumber cable device. You can get one at an auto parts store or on the web.
Try: http://www.toolsusa.com/BatteryChargers/index.htm or similar.

 

I think the jump-box he is referring too is a 3rd party product that usually connects to the car through the 12 power jack. It has its own rechargable battery (I have even seen some that use "D" Cells) and it is meant to trickle charge your battery over 20 minutes or so and then allow you to start - it does NOT provide cranking power, unless it is of the type that connects to the battery or extender terminal using clips.

The Extender terminal should be standard equipment and not easily removabl. I'll have to hunt under the hood for mine tonight now that my curiosity is up.

 

Sorry,I knew I should have used the spell checker

 

The owner's manual is VERY specific on where to connect the jumper cables. The Positive contact is inside the fuse box (on your right as you face the engine, big black plastic cover). It is covered with a red cap and marked. The Negative is on the opposite side way up near the windshield. It is NOT marked in the car - there is an arrow in the manual. It looks like a long stud sticking up but is near 2 other bolts. They really should have marked it as well. There is what appears to be a matching one just behind the fuse box but it is NOT shown as a connection point. This would be due to wanting the + and - clamps distant from each other. I presume they are just mounting bolts that happen to give good contact for the neg connector.

I really doubt a Prius could generate enough amps to jump anything that has a starter motor.

 

Around here we call them jump-packs. We have one as an essential accessory for our Miata, which has the same size battery as the prius, but has a crappy alarm that drains it in two weeks. Ran about 70$, jumps the car 5-6 times on a charge. Can also be used for emergency power in the house during an outage as it has a normal lighter plug on it.

My understanding from the manual is that you can use another car to jump the Prius (I have used our Miata for this) but that the instructions (from the shop manual, not users manual) are to hook up the cables and run the engine on the live vehicle at 1500rpms for 15 minutes before turning over the prius. I think this is to get a base charge back on the battery as it is an electrical sink essential to keeping the voltage steady in the car. The prius only needs enough charge to run its computers, after all, not a starter like an old-style car.

What the prius users manual says is Never jump another car with the prius battery. Basically the car is a big electronic toy with wheels, and voltage dips and spikes that can happen when jumping are not good for it. This would be the reason to carry a jump pack -- to help someone else out should the need arise.

Also the voltage on the 2004 prius and newer is 500 volts, previous was 274volts. All those lines are encased in orange plastic, and you'd have to work hard to get at them accidentally. See this page for more info: http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/tech/environmen...ent/hsd/03.html

 

for the Prius, you can probably get away with a smaller unit. i got one for $34 that i use to charge my RC car with. (most people use the 12 volt battery from their cars, but mine is so small i decided not to)

 

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Actually, what's coming out of the hybrid battery is about 207 volts. This is boosted to 500 volts at the inverter package to power the motors. I think the A/C inverter is also sourced at the 207 volts.

You might be able to help someone else get their started, but it is risky. Use the prius only to charge their battery with their car OFF! DO NOT START THE DISABLED CAR WITH THE PRIUS! The converter won't handle the current. Battery might, but it is very small. Probably will blow fusable links.

 

Yes - they need to read the manual As long you read the manual there's no problem jump-starting the Prius.

The only odd thing is that the battery's in the back, so separate connection points are provided in the engine compartment. These aren't obviously marked, so check the manual.

 

as long as you drive it on a regular basis, i wouldnt worry about it much.

its too bad that some sort of setup where you can jump the 12 volt battery with the traction battery through a step down transformer wasnt available.

but that is a minor complaint, i have also wondered why the clock didnt work when the car was off. cant be that much of a drain on the battery.

 

Hi Folks,

I wonder if we use one of the jumper systems that connect two cars via the 12 volt power outlets?

http://www.all-battery.com/index.asp?PageA...PROD&ProdID=147

Have some fun,

 

that should work.

realize that you only need enough power to boot the computer, you are not cranking the engine with the 12 volt battery.

 

Only if you get the mod from Coastal Technologies that makes one of the outlets 'hot' even when the car is not on. As delivered, both are disconnected so there is no path to the 12V.

 

That would also provide a safe way to give someone else a boost as well, with or without the mod. There is no way to draw too much current from the dc-dc converter this way. However, this would only succeed if the other person's battery had some life to it, and could take a charge.

 

jumping another regular car with your Prius is not recommended.

if doing so, then only when the car is running and by using the connections under the hood.