I'm attempting to charge my battery with a charger, 2 amp trickle. Have tried the front option and directly to the 12v in the rear. Each results in flashing dash lights. What does this mean? Suggestions? Will I get the same result if I connect to a live battery? Should I remove the battery and then charge it disconnected? Thanks!
The Prius should be IG-OFF when you are charging the 12V battery. It does no good for the car to be on because that will absorb the charger current which otherwise could be charging the battery. If the car is coming on although you did not intend for it to do so, then disconnect a cable from the 12V battery prior to attaching the charger cables. Also, a 2A trickle charger is inadequate for actually charging a dead battery. If the battery will accept a charge, plan for this activity to take a full day.
Have you read the voltage at the battery? Like Patrick says you have to leave a 2A trickle charger on for a long time. By the way welcome to Prius Chat.
Thanks very much guys. It is the original battery but this is the first time I've drained it. I'll trickle it overnight and try again tomorrow. Will also check voltage. If 2 amps is insufficient I'll try 6.
NOT a good plan. At least not without checking the no-load voltage of the battery. IF......the battery is totally shot, because of a shorted cell or two or because of an internal open inside......OR because you have a large constant drain on it that you don't know about......then connecting a bigger charger might just make for bigger problems. And, as was said, your battery is old enough that you have been running on "borrowed time" for a couple of years now. Just get a new one.
Thanks very much guys. It is the original battery but this is the first time I've drained it. I'll trickle it overnight and try again tomorrow. Will also check voltage. If 2 amps is insufficient I'll try 6.
Update: the overnight charge seemed to work. I will monitor voltage and probably replace. Thanks again for all the advice.
