[ericlp]

Anyone know how long the 1.9KW hybrid battery will last with the AC going full blast in the back .... before the engine has to fire back up? How long does the engine run to re-charge the battery, before turning itself back off?

Also, on a 4 zone, can you just run the AC in the back without running the AC to the front seats?

Thanks!

 

[Bigbinger]

In my experience, with AC or heat going, the engine fires up relatively quickly, no more than 5 minutes or so. Engine runs for a few minutes, then off for a few more. I tried resting in there on an overnight shift, but couldn't stay out long because it kept firing back up.

As far as the 4 zone, in the Limited anyways, it's all controlled by temperature setting, so I imagine if you set it colder in the rear zones than the front, you could get more AC there. The only option I've seen to eliminate fans from blowing is the button that tells the system to only blow on the front seats. There isn't a button to exclude the front seats that I've seen. I suppose you could set a colder temp in the rear, then manually close the vents on the dash to help push more air to the back?

 

[BearInStPete]

Several competing variables in your question - if you peg the temp setting at "LO" and fan settings at Max on a hot day, it's going to chew through battery quickly and the ICE will need to start. Keep in mind the battery which has a gauge comprised of 8 bars, typically stays at 3-6 bars in average driving, and that is all controlled by the hybrid system - so you will start on average of 4 bars, and the ICE will start between 2-3 bars depending on electrical load.

I'm not sure what you are trying to accomplish with "full blast", set it at an appropriate temperature (72-77) on Auto, and the whole system will manage itself. In this scenario, at a steady state inside temp and high ambient temps outside you might get 5-10 minutes runtime without the ICE, starting on 4 bars. Then it will cycle on/off 5-10 minutes. Keep in mind the Fans pegged at max settings chew the most battery, the compressor 2nd. Make sure you set to recirculation mode if parked (it will tend to switch to outside air upon parking).

PS: The battery, even at 8/8 bars will actually only be at 80% state of charge (internally), this is by design, to allow most efficient and long-term management of the traction battery. You will only see the battery at 8/8 bars in very limited conditions.

 

[ericlp]

I am just wondering, if I parked the van at a rest stop, would it be feasible to run the AC at a comfortable temperature will napping for a few hours before hitting the road... Sometimes I also like to park at the beach, would be nice to run the AC for lunch while enjoying the view, instead of running the engine all the time.

I suppose, that running the AC set lower like 75 would give longer runtimes in between starts if the ICE. I also think some with the entertainment package may want to run the AC while parked watching a movie in the recliner.

Thank you for answering my question.

 

[BearInStPete]

I am just wondering, if I parked the van at a rest stop, would it be feasible to run the AC at a comfortable temperature will napping for a few hours before hitting the road... Sometimes I also like to park at the beach, would be nice to run the AC for lunch while enjoying the view, instead of running the engine all the time.

I suppose, that running the AC set lower like 75 would give longer runtimes in between starts if the ICE. I also think some with the entertainment package may want to run the AC while parked watching a movie in the recliner.

Thank you for answering my question.

In your scenarios, many do the same thing, the cabin is already cool, and parking for a few hours the van will only run the ICE as necessary to maintain temps and charge on the battery. From there your outside temps dictate how often the ICE will run. I would say on average it will likely cycle 4 times an hour, and run 50% of the elapsed time - but that is just an estimate.

 

[PetTaxi]

Get a small 12v fan, aim it at you, and it will run for days. You are supposed to be trying to save the planet and your wallet, right?

 

[ericlp]

Get a small 12v fan, aim it at you, and it will run for days. You are supposed to be trying to save the planet and your wallet, right?

First of all, I don't have a new hybrid yet...hence ASKING the questions. If you want to save the planet, I suggest you sell your van and buy a bicycle or good pair of hiking boots! If you don't like the question, move along ... oh and thanks!

 

[ericlp]

Please stop posting in my thread... thanks... You have been reported.

 

[seabea]

If I purchase one, it will be for a camper van. The a/c info is of interest to me.

 

[PetTaxi]

Please stop posting in my thread... thanks... You have been reported.

Please accept my apologies, I was being snarky and that is not kind. I was replying to the title and your first question. I should have asked you why you would need to run the AC at max when a comfortable temperature setting is all that is needed. What do I know?...you may have penguins for pets! When it gets warmer outside later today I'll go do a real-life experiment for you.
Again, I'm sorry. My being cynical is no excuse for offending you.

 

[wscan]

Not at AC max, but here is some information: AC set at 72, outside temp about 74 and cloudy, traction battery at 3 bars, AC ran for 15 minutes before engine started. Battery still at 3 bars. Engine ran for a bit over 3 minutes and shut off, battery still at 3 bars. Was not in the car long enough to test another cycle. Certainly running at max AC, the engine will run more often.

 

[cmiles97]

OP it will depend on your AC load as well. Driving around in hot humid FL yesterday, I noticed the gas motor kicking on more often to maintain the battery to keep the temp setpoint of 72F in my Black Sienna. It was 91F and humid yesterday. I dropped 2 mpg off my average with the AC working against higher temperature, solar load and humidity in the same driving conditions.

FYI I am averaging 38mpg (via the dash) so far at 639 miles on my FWD XLE. My last (only LOL) gas stop netted me 39.2 mpg via manual calculation.

I expect that I'll be around 35 to 37 this summer.

 

[jim2016siennaAWD]

Wow, this chat had it all. I want to thank everyone for the information about A/C and the battery. I will be camping a lot in my Sienna and sometimes the heat at night is uncomfortable, so it would be nice to have a little A/C from time to time to keep the rear of the vehicle cool enough to sleep. More info on zone cooling or battery use outside the ICE would be welcome. There should be a way to figure out a tool's electricity consumption per hour--say, a portable refrigerator's--in order to determine how long a battery can supply that electricity before it won't have enough power to start an engine. I'm not the person who can provide that math; perhaps someone who passed high school physics can. I also want to thank PetTaxi for their apology; we're all the better for it. Yeah, a lot more of us are jumping on the Sienna bandwagon because of that hybrid battery and the 1500w inverter than you might think.

 

[Jim19939]

Just lock the doors and leave it in Ready mode and the engine will cycle on and off to keep the battery charged.

 

[Alabama XL40]

I’ll do a test here.

I’m sitting in the back of the Sienna right now with the baby watching Netflix while the wife and other kid are in the Dr. office. It’s 98* with 50%+ humidity today, probably warmer on this black asphalt parking lot. Car is mostly in the sun.

AC set at 72 auto front and rear with recirc on. Rear entertainment system on, WiFi on, Roku ultra plugged in to 120v plug.

Engine ran for 3 minutes then shut off (4:01-4:04). Engine stayed off for 8 minutes, restarted at 4:12. The restart was not enough to wake baby. It just ran for 3 minutes again and shut off.
Update: made it 10 minutes before shut off on this cycle, but I didn’t change any settings.

 

[dwkennedy]

I can't find the exact model I have any more (OPOLAR) but there are a lot of USB rechargeable fans available that would be easily powered or recharged from the multitude of USB ports inside the van, and could help make you feel more comfortable while reducing your engine run times. Here's one that looks very similar to what I have:

Amazon.com: 10000mAh Rechargeable Portable Clip Fan, 7-Inch Camping Fan with Hanging Hook, Battery Operated Fan, 40 Hours Work Time, Timer, 4 Speeds for Strollor, Desk, Tent, Table, Treadmill, Golf, Outdoor : Home & Kitchen

Amazon.com: 10000mAh Rechargeable Portable Clip Fan, 7-Inch Camping Fan with Hanging Hook, Battery Operated Fan, 40 Hours Work Time, Timer, 4 Speeds for Strollor, Desk, Tent, Table, Treadmill, Golf, Outdoor : Home & Kitchen

www.amazon.com

While playing with the infotainment system and new dash cam I've been idling in sun at 95+ degrees. I am pretty impressed with the A/C performance, even on eco mode.

 

[charlesimps]

I also have a Toyota, and I had the same questions. There are no masks in this area at all. I had problems with the conditioner because I kept it on too long. Oh my God, I don't even want to remember how panicked I was. The air conditioning service told me that it is not a fixed time how long you can keep it on, a lot depends on the condition of the car, its type, year and many other things. While it is on you, you have to be careful what kind of signals are on the board and many other things. Ask a specialist better, and he will tell you the exact information for your car.

 

[Lewis King]

Anyone know how long the 1.9KW hybrid battery will last with the AC going full blast in the back .... before the engine has to fire back up? How long does the engine run to re-charge the battery, before turning itself back off? Also, on a 4 zone, can you just run the AC in the back without running the AC to the front seats? Thanks!

I have taken two trips from the Pacific Northwest to Florida in early Spring, and my son and I sleep in the back. The van is left on and the air conditioning is set to 70. The motor kicks on for about a minute and then the battery runs for about 8 minutes. You can't do this in a campground but you can do it at a Love's Travel Center. They have trucks running in their lot all night so your little van isn't going to bother anybody. Put the shades up, turn the air on, and sleep like a baby while using half a gallon of gas. It's a small space and temperature control isn't an issue, whether using fresh air, air conditioning, or heat. Then stay at a nice place when you get there, or in our case, a cruise out of Miami. A shower at Love's is $15 by the way. I haven't tried other truck stops but kudos to Love's for letting travelers sleep there overnight. Its extremely safe with lots of light, pretty steady activity and the only noise is trucks idling and your fan blowing. Good luck. P.S. for comparison, a Toyota Sienna uses the equivalent of 18 miles of fuel overnight and a Tesla Model Y in Camp Mode uses the equivalent of 19 miles of fuel.

 

[pamhar]

I have taken two trips from the Pacific Northwest to Florida in early Spring, and my son and I sleep in the back. The van is left on and the air conditioning is set to 70. The motor kicks on for about a minute and then the battery runs for about 8 minutes. You can't do this in a campground but you can do it at a Love's Travel Center. They have trucks running in their lot all night so your little van isn't going to bother anybody. Put the shades up, turn the air on, and sleep like a baby while using half a gallon of gas. It's a small space and temperature control isn't an issue, whether using fresh air, air conditioning, or heat. Then stay at a nice place when you get there, or in our case, a cruise out of Miami. A shower at Love's is $15 by the way. I haven't tried other truck stops but kudos to Love's for letting travelers sleep there overnight. Its extremely safe with lots of light, pretty steady activity and the only noise is trucks idling and your fan blowing. Good luck. P.S. for comparison, a Toyota Sienna uses the equivalent of 18 miles of fuel overnight and a Tesla Model Y in Camp Mode uses the equivalent of 19 miles of fuel.

That is amazing.

When you set to 70 are you putting it in Auto or picking your fan speed and mode?

 

[ROJA]

I think this guy runs the exact test you are thinking about (or pretty close):