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Old 01-14-2008, 03:38 PM
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gpsman1 gpsman1 is offline
Hybrid Technologist
 
Real Name: John
Location: N.Colorado & S.Minnesota
Hybrids: 2005 Diet Ford Escape FWD, 2000 Honda Insight
Posts: 2,551
Default Re: Electrical system explanation?

Have no fear... you can pull more than 100 amps off the 12v side of things, as long as you have the car "running" and able to recharge with the gasoline engine turning the "alternator". Actually, technically, this car has TWO alternators... one in the 94 kW range, and one in the 40kW range... but for some STRANGE reason, everyone calls them "generators". But they are AC with rectifiers to charge the big battery, and then the big battery can charge the little 12v battery any time the key is in run.

The 12v battery only powers your radio ( directly ) when the key is off or to ACC. In "run" the big battery powers everything.
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