Winter Storage - GreenHybrid

tmdevree · #1 (**permalink**) 08-04-2005, 06:27 PM

Hi all,

I'm new to the concept of hybrid cars and i was curious what would happen to the car if it were to be stored over the winter. I live in Michigan so I tend to only drive beat up cars in the winter. My main concern is that the battery and subsequent electrical systems will suffer more damage than a normal car would. Has anyone stored their hybrid before? I'd love to hear from you all!

Schwa · #2 (**permalink**) 08-04-2005, 08:08 PM

The best thing to do for longish term storage would be to hook up a small trickle charger to the 12v battery so that the electrical system and residual battery discharge don't kill the lead-acid battery. Even one of those small 5W solar panels would keep it topped off. Unfortunately modern cars always use a bit of electrical power when they are off so that the alarm and clock can stay on, but as long as you keep it topped off, or start it every month (or less) it should be fine. Starting it occasionally wouldn't hurt anyways because the high voltage battery could use a charge now and then. If you don't want to start it, probably getting the HV battery full before storage would be best so it can self discharge and still have plenty to start the car later. The cold won't hurt the battery, although they don't work as well in the cold they can be stored just fine.

If you get a Prius with VSC you'll probably want to drive it in the winter.

JeromeP · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2005, 11:53 AM

A Prius can be put into storage, however it is going to require some attention every now and then. The vehicle should be run at least once a month, mostly for the benefit of the 12v battery. The HV battery should suffer less self-drain than the 12v because it is isolated from the vehicle when the vehicle is off, plus various systems depend on the 12v battery for ongoing power.

I wouldn't trickle charge the 12v. I would purchase a battery tender for that battery, that way the 12v isn't continuously charged, but only charged when it needs to be charged, and then the charge is turned off when the battery reaches full.

I also tend to drive beaters during the winter. Last winter I took out the Prius once a week, but drove the beater much more often. No ill effects. I also turned off SKS when the vehicle was sitting. That will make a big difference in a vehicle which is either in partial storage or not being driven on a near daily basis.

With regard to winter driving, I'm never worried about my skills driving, of the surfaces I will encounter, I worry about the other guy who is driving like an idiot.