using Tyre Pump

[brianberry]

If I plug my tyre pump into the cigarette lighter, will this run the 12v Battery down very quickly, especially  if I do not have the engine running?. This is in respect of my Toyota Auris Hybrid 1.8VVT-i T Spirit 5 Dr.

 

 

[TonyHSD]

That’s normal, I always keep the car in Ready mode if I use any electrical devices plugged in., 12v Battery is small and dies quickly. 

[brianberry]

When you say ready mode, do you mean the engine is running? 

[Gerg]

When the car is in 'ready' (i.e. ready to drive) mode the Battery gets charged even if the engine is not turning over.  The car's inverter uses the high-voltage (traction) Battery to step down to a 12v charging circuit that is dedicated to the 12v Battery.  From what I've read it is a plenty powerful; about 100A was mentioned on a US site, where an owner was looking to run a chunky 12v to 120v inverter (for domestic use) from the 12v feed (in a Prius ,which has the same inverter).

When stationary, the car will not start the engine to charge a depleted traction (high Voltage) battery if the car is in 'ready' and the transmission is in 'N' with the park brake 'P' not engaged, but the 12v battery will still be being attended to by the inverter.

All this can be a bit odd to get your head around when your last car had a conventional alternator.

Perhaps someone can describe this more clearly...?

[brianberry]

Thanks Gerg.