2011 Prius not charging 12V system

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by georgefrank, Apr 6, 2023.

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  1. georgefrank

    georgefrank Junior Member

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    I have been living on this prius producing electricity for the past 8 months

    I have been pulling from the 12V system

    Recently, it has not been functioning properly

    It has not been able to run a small AC unit, before it did without any issue

    The car will die completely, and wont turn on at all sometimes, and if I check voltage at 12v side, it is 11-11.5 (low)

    Then I would charge up the 12V, then the car sometimes will turn on and function properly

    My theory: I have fried the 200V-12V converter from living on for this long

    Where is the part located that I need to fix? Also, I will troubleshoot ideas that you give me to get this thing solved

    Maybe I am wrong, and you can tell me what you think happened

    I'll attach more pictures once i have better internet IMG_0385.jpeg

    Once i fix it, I will only pull power from the 200VDC
     
    #1 georgefrank, Apr 6, 2023
  2. georgefrank

    georgefrank Junior Member

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    IMG_0384.jpeg IMG_0383.jpeg IMG_0382.jpeg IMG_0383.jpeg
     
    #2 georgefrank, Apr 6, 2023
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Are there any warning lights on the dash? Have you queried for any trouble codes yet?

    Deciding that you've fried something, or planning what you'll do differently after you fix it, are a little premature before even asking the car what it has to say.
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Apr 6, 2023
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  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    So umm... You say you've been "living on this Prius producing electricity for the past 8 months" and that would make me think (especially after looking at these pictures) that the vehicle is not be driven and is in disrepair and unable to be driven if you wanted to?

    As in you can lower your cost of living by moving into a shack and using a broke down Prius for electricity, but if you aren't going to take care of the vehicle (your neglect/abuse of it is clear in the photos) then this is just the start of your problems of not even being able to afford this ultra low price for a cost of living.

    And let's just put all that aside for now...

    What do those 2 high voltage DC wires that go out of the pack and out right rear passenger door plug into? Please explain that circuit?

    Also, please tell us the history of the vehicle and what your budget is for it being able to fix it enough to make it run your air conditioner again and we can start talking about your options.
     
    #4 PriusCamper, Apr 6, 2023
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2023
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  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Clearly this Prius is in an abusive relationship and is in its last days... :'-(
     
    #5 PriusCamper, Apr 6, 2023
  6. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    The dc to dc is in the vehicle inverter. It would be better to describe the add on setup better. Do you run a 12 to 120 inverter and a separate 201v to ? inverter? Do you leave the hybrid system in Ready 24x7? Do you live in the car?
     
    #6 rjparker, Apr 7, 2023
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  7. georgefrank

    georgefrank Junior Member

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    Dash lights dont come on even if the car is working, but also, car wont turn on at all, even if i plug into it, I dont think it would show any codes
     
    #7 georgefrank, Apr 7, 2023
  8. georgefrank

    georgefrank Junior Member

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    Yes, car is totaled, just being used as a generator for me to live in RV

    "2 high voltage DC wires" - Those are going to high voltage inverter, I have been trying to go from the 12V system, to the 200 V system for the source of electricity, but I ended up getting the wrong inverter so they are not being used at all.

    All I have been using is the 12V system in the back, with a 1000w RMS WFCO pure sine wave inverter

    Budget: I definitely know the Prius needs to get going again, even if that means that main inverter needs replaced
     
    #8 georgefrank, Apr 7, 2023
  9. georgefrank

    georgefrank Junior Member

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    It has 92K miles, engine is perfect, hybrid batteries are strong, it was totaled and i got it for low cost

    I did get it good enough to drive but it is just parked producing electricity, running fridge and small AC mainly

    I do plan on fixing it and will use it for a long time

    When everything is going great, it does give a grid like experience, I dont have to worry about it for a week or so until its low on gasoline, but otherwise its seamless

    At this moment, it is not functioning, and I realize how valuable of a generator it is
     
    #9 georgefrank, Apr 7, 2023
  10. georgefrank

    georgefrank Junior Member

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    Add on setup: that 12V-110VAC inverter is all I have been using for past 8 months

    201V side: I have been trying to get that going, but did not end up getting the correct inverter, so that has never been used

    Yes, car has been running for 8 months straight without issue

    I dont live in the car
     
    #10 georgefrank, Apr 7, 2023
  11. georgefrank

    georgefrank Junior Member

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    How do I check if the main inverter has been damaged?

    Things that happened right before everything started to go wrong: I was unable to run a small air compressor

    Voltage drop in the 12V system to the point of not running anything major

    Then car would not turn on at all

    Next morning, mysteriously worked again for a couple hours

    I went back to using it run the fridge

    Then inverter shut off, low voltage

    I shut the car off, then I go again to try to turn it on, nothing

    Even with a jumper cable on the 12V system, still nothing

    First time, I charged up the 12V system, and car came back on

    Now, nothing even when 12V system charged
     
    #11 georgefrank, Apr 7, 2023
  12. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    It would seem the charging system quit, the hv battery is discharged because the engine had a fault or the 12v battery went bad. You need a quality hybrid compatible code reader, ideally Toyota's Techstream.

    More guesses? Gen3 inverters have been known to go bad. The 12v battery could be bad and pulled down the charging system. Have it load tested at an auto supply. The inverter coolant pump could have failed and disabled the engine. One of hundreds of possible engine problems. That kind of issue could be aggravated by no monitoring of the dash.

    The 125amp fusible link buried in the engine fuse box could have blown by a momentary reverse polarity jump. Other fuses are possible including the 12v battery terminal fuse. Need a schematic and some logical checking up and down the 12v power path. The hv battery could have failed. The list goes on and on.
     
    #12 rjparker, Apr 7, 2023
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  13. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    That's your first issue to resolve. You need to at least be able to get the car to IG ON (two power button presses with no brake, dash lights come on). That only uses the 12 volt system, has nothing to do with the high voltage battery or the inverter or converter; if it won't happen, you have some very basic issue with 12 volt power, fuses, or connections. Fix that first.

    Once you can get to IG ON using a fully charged 12 volt battery, you can find out if there is, say, converter damage, by asking the car. It will tell you.
     
    #13 ChapmanF, Apr 7, 2023
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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    After seeing the pics, I'm not feeling too good... :sick:
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Apr 7, 2023
  15. georgefrank

    georgefrank Junior Member

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    Ok where do I start the search as to what is wrong? Where are the fuses that control the 12V side?
     
    #15 georgefrank, Apr 7, 2023
  16. georgefrank

    georgefrank Junior Member

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    blank
     
    #16 georgefrank, Apr 7, 2023
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2023
  17. georgefrank

    georgefrank Junior Member

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    #17 georgefrank, Apr 7, 2023
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2023
  18. georgefrank

    georgefrank Junior Member

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    #18 georgefrank, Apr 7, 2023
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2023
  19. georgefrank

    georgefrank Junior Member

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    #19 georgefrank, Apr 7, 2023
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2023
  20. georgefrank

    georgefrank Junior Member

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    Where is the 125 amp fuse located exactly?
     
    #20 georgefrank, Apr 7, 2023
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