Best way to connect a electronic mouse repeller under the hood?

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by HappyHybrid, Mar 25, 2026 at 3:19 PM.

Tags:
  1. HappyHybrid

    HappyHybrid Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2011
    39
    13
    2
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2024 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    Hi folks,
    I was a member of Prius Chat when I had my 2007, got out when it died and I temporarily got a RAV4 hybrid, but a year ago Jan, traded that in for a 2024 Prius Prime. So I'm back! :)

    After my dashboard started flashing with all sorts of error messages on Monday, I took it to the dealership today and found that rodents of some sort have chewed through the wiring and caused all sorts of havoc.

    After I get it back, am planning on trying one of those electronic things (a near perfect 5 start rating on Amazon) that goes under the hood, but not sure where to connect it. Another site said connect to the 12v battery, but they realized that for the prius, the 12v is in the back, so that wouldn't work, and then suggested getting a fuse tap to connect that in the front and then connecting the device to that.

    Just looking for the best way to connect the anti mouse device under the hood. I've used other sonic things to keep cats from my deck, which seemed to work, so given the ratings of the one on Amazon, I'm hopeful that it will work as well.

    Suggestions? TIA
     
    #1 HappyHybrid, Mar 25, 2026 at 3:19 PM
    bisco likes this.
  2. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2025
    1,220
    476
    0
    Location:
    New York State
    Vehicle:
    2026 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    Wow that's a bummer and potentially big bucks.

    There's a fusebox under the hood that has a line that goes direct to the battery.
    Maybe someone with knowledge will chime in.

    I would opine that the device should have its own fuse and that you want to be careful with powering that thing for any amount of time because the battery is small. Calculations should be made and maybe use a protective low voltage shut off device like with hardwired dashcams.

    Did this happen over the winter? I wonder if the charging may have created attractive warmth.

    Good luck.
     
    #2 VelvetFoot, Mar 25, 2026 at 9:01 PM
  3. HappyHybrid

    HappyHybrid Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2011
    39
    13
    2
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2024 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    The dash messages started on Monday, it was working fine on Saturday when I went to work in the AM and then to the movies in the afternoon afterwards. So don't know if they just started on it and did all the damage in one night, or this has been a long term thing and they finally just chewed far enough in to screw up the connection over Sunday. There wasn't any damage when AAA had the hood up to give me a jumpstart in December when my aux battery kept dying, or when Toyota had it then to replace said aux battery.

    Thankfully, apparently my comprehensive coverage on the car actually covers rodent chewed engine wires. So since my policy has a zero deductible for that, the doesn't appear to be costing me anything except maybe an increase in my insurance rates in 6 mo. Which is good, since the estimate my Toyota guy showed me this morning was $3100, to replace the whole of something.

    And Toyota sent me home in a really nice loaner (2026 Camry HEV). Probably would have been different had I gotten a rental from Allstate and they'd sent me to Enterprise again. First rental I got from THEM was a gas guzzling Dodge Grand Behemoth which I traded back to them for something a little more sized for one person after the first day. But I can deal with a week or so of Camry hybrid. :)
     
    #3 HappyHybrid, Mar 26, 2026 at 1:20 AM
    bisco and VelvetFoot like this.
  4. HappyHybrid

    HappyHybrid Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2011
    39
    13
    2
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2024 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    Info from Amazon about the unit I'm looking at, if this helps

    Step-by-Step DC Connection:
    • 1. Locate the 12V Power Source - Use your Prius Prime's fuse box or auxiliary power outlet under the hood
    • 2.Connect the DC Cable - The included DC cable connects directly to your car's 12V electrical system
    • 3.Secure the Connection - Ensure a solid connection to prevent disconnection while driving
    Prius Prime Specific Notes:•
    • Your hybrid has both a 12V auxiliary battery and the main hybrid battery - connect to the 12V system
    • •
    • The device draws minimal power and won't affect your hybrid battery performance
    • •
    • The intelligent vibration sensor automatically puts the device on standby when you start the car
     
    #4 HappyHybrid, Mar 26, 2026 at 1:35 AM
  5. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2025
    1,220
    476
    0
    Location:
    New York State
    Vehicle:
    2026 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    I've experienced that. I'd put a smiley face, but it's not funny when it happens.

    @Paul Gregory posted a picture of the inside of the fusebox under the hood in regards to connecting a battery maintainer. I've run across websites that have fusebox diagrams for various cars (NOT Toyota, lol, unless you pay I suppose.). Maybe there's a diagram under the fuse cover. Ideally you'd want someone who knows what he's talking about to comment.

    Do you have a link to the product, for interest's sake? That Amazon description sounds like a robot did it.

    I'm assuming your car is parked outside with no access to 120v?

    I've got no experience with rodents. Well, one-there was a mouse nest under the hood in my VW TDI Beetle, and that was parked in my garage. No chewage.
     
    #5 VelvetFoot, Mar 26, 2026 at 7:42 AM
  6. HappyHybrid

    HappyHybrid Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2011
    39
    13
    2
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2024 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    Here's the amazon listing. Funny you mentioned that it sounded like a robot did it. It's what Rufus spit out when I asked it. :D

    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQJH1DF7

    I went ahead and ordered them, will be here tomorrow. Going to try one under my kitchen sink where they keep getting in through a hole in the back of the cupboard and rooting around in the garbage bin under there. I'll know even before I get the car back if they repel the mice or not.
     
    #6 HappyHybrid, Mar 26, 2026 at 1:47 PM
    bisco and VelvetFoot like this.
  7. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2025
    1,220
    476
    0
    Location:
    New York State
    Vehicle:
    2026 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    That cat face is pretty cute, with the led eyes.
    Very flexible power options.
    upload_2026-3-26_20-19-38.png
     
    #7 VelvetFoot, Mar 26, 2026 at 8:19 PM
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    114,674
    52,390
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    thanks! we've been lucky for 20 years, but I still worry. I think I'll get one for when we're away, and check my insurance policy, that's great coverage! and a free loaner for non warranty work is amazing.
    be careful of draining the battery, prime is pretty weak. I would check the voltage regularly, even though it says low draw. or connect a battery maintainer if you have an outlet available.
    please let us know how it is working, all the best!
     
    #8 bisco, Mar 26, 2026 at 8:49 PM
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    60,877
    41,901
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Consider meshing the cabin air intake too; it can be a big mess if they get inside there. And the engine air intake. And the air exits, typically at the back corners of the hatch.

    Can you get the car into a tight garage?
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Mar 27, 2026 at 12:37 PM
  10. HappyHybrid

    HappyHybrid Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2011
    39
    13
    2
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2024 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    No garage at my house, I cringe every time we get really gusty days, since the yard is full of oak trees and branches frequently snap off and fall. (Currently have a claim in with Allstate for one that poked a hole through my roof and through the side of my house a month ago. Also had the prior RAV4 out of commission for 3 months when a HUGE branch took out the entire back window.)

    I'm making notes of all the things to try. Hopefully the mouse repellents will work if I can figure out how to hook them up.
     
    #10 HappyHybrid, Mar 27, 2026 at 2:03 PM
    VelvetFoot and Mendel Leisk like this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)