"Ready" mode camping for climate control

While the hunkering threads only cover gen 3 non-PiP and gen 1 so far, the information about using a heated blanket, and about the car's different coolant temperature setpoints in different conditions, might partly match your interests. The threads might also suggest some things you could try in a PiP to check for differences, which you could even contribute in a PiP-specific thread.

 

The part of this subject that still confuses me is that both the Prime and the PiP have an auto shutoff timer in both ACC and On modes, and the drain on the 12 volt when in Ready mode and EV mode ( under certain conditions ) is quite alarming. Several minutes is all it takes to drain the 12 volt.

How ever one can get the PiP or Prime to work for the overnight camping HVAC usage thing, I still don't get it.

Though one thing I'm fairly certain of, is that it's nothing like using the regular Prius for that that purpose.

 

huh... my 2013 PiP and 2017 Prime, neither auto shutoff while in Ready mode... thats what you are missing, leave the vehicle in Ready mode. What drain on the 12V when in Ready Mode? When in Ready mode, the 12V is constantly being charged...

 

Can you say more about the "certain conditions"? In my experience (which is only with non-PiP, non-Prime), "drain on the 12 volt when in Ready" really isn't a thing (unless there is a DC/DC converter trouble code and triangle light, but that's a very special condition).

 

Ready mode says a lot. Not !
What other modes are you using EV - HV - Charge
Is the engine running ?
What happens when the engine shuts off, if it ever is running?
What are your HVAC settings ?
What are typical ambient conditions ?
What are extreme ambient conditions?
Which setting above are different with extreme ambient conditions ?

Every post I've seen about camping mode in the PiP and / or Prime
seems to think I can read their minds when they describe how it's supposed to work.

 

here you go


https://black.jmyntrn.com/2024/11/21/camping-with-a-2012-2013-prius-plug-in-updated-insights-on-powering-your-adventure/

 

Nice write-up-date on camping mode in the PiP.

Is the 8 hours of HVAC use with a fully charged PiP pack a record for you, or is it typical performance under typical conditions you experience in your area?

You mentioned your second 12 volt 85 Ah battery and how it contributes to the PiP camping mode efficiency.
This is the second or third time I've seen references to the extra 12 volt battery, but I still haven't seen anything about where you put it and / or how you're connecting it to the PiP. And the pics alone are not much of a clue for me anyways, at least without captions and or some hints alone the way.

A hint or two about how long you typically run HVAC while camping and comparing some data between a typical camping scenario especially how long you typically run while stationary.
Than compare performance in a snowy campsite as well as a humid southeastern camping experience with your experiences while camping at your typical local sites.

I've slept in the Prime many times while charging, and I used to run A/C for the 10 minute timed PiP (keep cool while charging thing I figured out) when it was in the high 90's F and I was waiting in the car while charging, but I have to admit I'm not a Prius Camper, yet, anyways !

Glitches with the systems you've experienced are like diamonds to me in a review. I know they are not typically included. but I think that is because they are harder to pin down and even more difficult to explain what and why we think they may have occurred.

 

FYI

Replacing an OEM 12v battery with an 85AH battery is a success!

here you go
https://black.jmyntrn.com/2021/02/05/adding-a-second-battery-to-my-prius-part-1/

Im typing response now.