We have a dead 12 v. battery, and a xantrex XP 1500 Power Generator. (Sorry, I was unable to retrieve my old password and had to reregister so I am not allowed to post a link to xantrex.com but if I could, you would find it at this page extension: /web/id/63/p/1/pt/10/product.asp ) The Power Generator has a cable with cigarette type connectors on each end. Can I use that to charge the battery through one of the dc power sockets in the car? Thanks. Jan
It looks like that unit is intended to provide power for 12V DC and 120V AC tools. The writeup doesn't say anything about using it to recharge batteries. The only thing I saw related to cars was the ability to recharge the XANTREX battery FROM a car or RV. I presume this would have to be done while the engine was running because you would be draining the vehicles 12V otherwise. If you already have the unit, you could just use jumper cables from it's battery to the Prius 12V. Let the batteries equalize a bit and the Prius 12V should have enough juice to start the computers, the normal charging cycle will top it off. The other possibility would be to use it to jump the car. You would probably have to create 'special' jumper cables by cutting the female end off an extension cord and separating the wires so they will reach the appropriate points in the engine compartment. If you don't already have the XANTREX, nor need it for its designed purpose, $400 is a lot of money. Just buy a regular battery charger or better yet, get a free jump from a friend. If this is a regular occurrence, I'd bet the 12V has been damaged and should be replaced. The instructions for jumping a Prius are in the manual. You don't connect to the 12V, you connect the positive inside the fuse box in the engine compartment and connect the negative to a stud on the passenger side about as far back as you can get in the engine compartment. Oh, and are you sure your profile is right? There was no Touring package in 2004, didn't come out until 2007.
