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Old 10-28-2006, 08:26 PM
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gpsman1 gpsman1 is offline
Hybrid & Ethanol Expert
 
Real Name: John
Location: N.Colorado & S.Minnesota
Hybrids: 2005 Ford Escape FWD, 2000 Honda Insight
Posts: 2,612
Default Re: Solar Panels: How do they work?

Using the Solar to run an exhaust fan, or other 12v accessories is a decent idea.

Charging the HV Battery via the "jump start button" will NOT work.
( tried that the second week I owned my vehicle, as I also have 75 watts of solar panels just lying around, working my garden lights right now... )

The HV jump start button only works when your HV battery is below 40% and so low it won't start the car. Once the HV battery has even the bare minimum, the jump start button is disabled. You're going to need a very sophisticated hack involving computer programing to pull this one off.

There is some documentation that the "jump start button" simply heats the HV cells, giving them a voltage boost in borderline conditions, but does not actually provide a direct charge, and won't resurect a deeply discharged HV pack.

-John

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Gasabout $0.05/mi
Gasabout $0.09/mi
E85about $0.09/mi

WORLD RECORD MTE?
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