Powering a wheelchair lift on a Prius

I wasn't able to find the power requirements on the site, so you'll want to find that out before you buy. It appears to have been made to run on as many vehicles as possible, so I suspect the power should be reasonable. If memory serves, you can draw about a kilowatt from the 12V system while the car is running. That's an aweful lot, and most likely way more then this lift needs. (About 800W runs a small electric chain saw.) Keep in mind, though, that the Prius' 12V battery itself is very small compared to other cars because it dosen't need to do much. I would recommend making sure the car in on when operating the lift. Unless you try to draw more then the car's 12V inverter can supply, you'll never drain the 12V battery that way.

Also, note the weight of the chair you want to carry. The weight limit on Class I hitches is 200Lbs, I believe. The lift is 70lbs, so 130lbs max for the chair.

On another note, I would really recommend getting the swing away option. I have a swing away bike rack on my Prius, and I never have to take it off to load anything the car can hold. If you never load big stuff, though, you can just reach around the lift to put stuff in and out.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cwolf1971 @ Jun 17 2006, 01:07 PM) [snapback]272722[/snapback]</div>

If you look on the motor of the lift, there is probably an amp or watts rating for the motor. Knowing that, and then how long it takes to lift or lower the chair, we could determine if you can get away with operating it with the car off.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cwolf1971 @ Jun 16 2006, 03:56 PM) [snapback]272451[/snapback]</div>

Toyota has a program designed to address the transportation needs of Toyota owners who have a disability or who have a family member with a disability or mobility issue. The program provides cash assistance of up to $1,000 of the cost of adaptive equipment such as a wheelchair/scooter lift.

Take a look at the Toyota Mobility web page.

 

thanks for that link isrameriprius! good stuff...FWIW I've suggested to a family member to look at these auto lifts many of which are available for self installation from the look of the site.

I'm doing a bit of research trying find a solution for said family member is in the Prius market and of course worrisome about finding an auto lift.

that toyota mobility page link might just save the day and convince them!

 

the generation II prius can supply about 100 amps before things start to "clip out"...

that's roughtly 1200 watts....

always keep your prius on while using it.. even while lowing the unit.

connecting strait to the battery should work for your needs.

more info could always be helpful, as others have asked.. amp draw

you could always bring the unit close to your prius, and jumper cable the connections.. as a test run. like i said, your prius will "clip out" or.. blackout if it pulls too much.. look at your mfd to see if it restarts. (i figured this test wouldn't be too bad, as you seem as if you'll install it yourself.)

 

While the 12V battery is indead smallish, if you can first turn the car on, the DC-DC converter (inside the inverter) can provide a maximum of 100A (http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-modifications/75224-100amp-fuse.html#post1047110). That would be 1200W, less everything already running inside an idle car. This is an absolute limit you do not want to reach.

If you want the lift to work with the car powered off and you find out the 12V car battery is not powerful enough (rated at 36 Ah when new), another possibility would be to use a second, bigger battery for the lift and have it charged by the 12V power of the DC-DC converter, when the car is on (a portable 12V powerpack?).

 

As a sidenote, I bought a electric jack and power it thru the accesory outlet, ( with power on) in ready. The unit works fine and I estimate it was lifting at least 1/4 of 2800lbs, 700 lbs dead weight, even possibly up to 1/2 the weight of the car (1400lbs)

 

I just seen this and figured it may help anyone looking for a way to take their power wheelchair/scooter with them if they have a Prius. I know I've been looking for a while.

Ps The Product is called the "Bruno Chariot"

 

let me toss in another note.. my uncle is a quadriplegic. many people here will argue if the 12v will handle it... truth be told, anyone who has a lift knows that you never use the lift without the vehicle on.. you can lower it.. but never raise it without being in READY mode. my uncle has back up batteries to help assist while the vehicle is off.. but it will kill batteries.. and rather fast.

otherwise.. i would run the electrical through either of the side vents. either the driver or passenger side in the rear.. they are little rubber flats that let out pressure as the car moves.. also on the passenger side it vents the battery. or.. you can always run cords through the bottom plugs.. but with the side vents the cables come down right where the mounts to the hitch are, so you can zip tie wires to the top/inside of the hitch frame to keep them safe. (that's what i did for my trailer light feed... i'll take a pic if you really want me to)