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Originally Posted by Orcrone
In most cars the main purpose of the 12 volt battery is to crank the engine in order to start it. Powering the lights, radio, 12 volt outlet, etc. are ancillary functions. In the TCH the 12 volt battery does not start the engine, that's performed by MG1. So I have several questions which I'll post here, but may be better asked on the Prius board.
1. Since the major portion of a car's 12 volt battery function is not required (starting the engine) does the 12 volt battery last longer than in non-hybrid cars?
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Not really, It is easily degraded by a small number of full cycles (as in leaving your dome lights on for a few days by accident)
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2. Normally the battery is charged by the alternator. What charges it in the TCH. I assume it's either MG1 or MG2.
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It is charged from the main traction battery via an inverter whenever the TCH is in use.
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3. When a battery dies it's too weak to generate the power necessary to turn the starter fast enough to start the car requiring the jump-start. What causes the 12 volt battery to be considered dead in a TCH? Is it when it cannot power the computer adequately? It seems that it can be "deader" and still work since it doesn't have to provide the power necessary to turn a starter motor.
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Yes, but a weak auxilliary battery can cause miscellaneous problems that occur randomly.
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4. On a related note when a battery dies you have to jump-start the car, allowing the other vehicle's battery to do the work for your dead battery. What are you doing when you jump-start a TCH? Are you providing power to adequately power the electronics?
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Yes
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5. It's pretty obvious by the sound of the starter trying to turn that the 12 volt battery is having problems in a non-hybrid car. Since the car "starts" without the ICE running how does it manifest itself in the TCH?
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As above, a low Aux battery voltage (ie. below 12v) will cause random problems. If it is really weak, the system will not power up. You can jump your TCH with a small 12v external battery very easily.
JeffD
(I am extrapolating experience from my 2004 Prius - a sibling of your TCH)