Stoodo

iTrader: (4)

You can use the jump port, but is it even necessary? The Toyota / Lexus hybrids only need enough current to wake up the computer. The traction battery does all the heavy lifting.

NateJG

And if you, like me, keep the headlights in the "auto" position, if/when your battery is low and you touch the Start button, the load of the headlights coming on quickly drains the remaining "oomph" and by the time you turn off the headlights, you've missed your opportunity to start the car.

BTW, the recommended charge rate is 5 amps max; and I've found that my car's charging system doesn't seem to charge the battery to a very high voltage (and no, I don't remember it off hand).

I've had two batteries replaced in my car (2013 RXh) - one before I took delivery of it; and a second one about one year after I bought it (it now has 58K in 36 months of use).

I'm thinking of adding in a permanent Powerpole connector set right under the hood so I can more easily hook up a trickle charger (I use a pair of Griot's Garage Battery Manager V's on my stored vehicles - see: https://www.griotsgarage.com/product...fType=&from=fn
).

Htony

On Tuesday next week, we're expecting below -20C temperature. I just wanted to get ready if battery gives me trouble. I am the lucky one to park my car outside in a sheltered car port while kids', wife's car are sitting in the garage, LOL! I am having the same idea getting a quick connect cable run readily available to hook up smart trickle charger when needed. Thanks.

vlad_a

You should be fine in either case. The only thing I'd be concerned about is long cables on the trickle charger not being fused. It's best to have a fuse less than 18" away from the battery.

riredale

New owner of a 2010 RX 450h and I've been poring over these threads for several weeks now, trying to get a quick education on the quirks of this wonderful car.

Why do you think you need to trickle charge at all? This is NOT a conventional car where starting demands hundreds of amps from a very cold battery. But you certainly could hook up a trickle charger if you really want to, and it makes no difference whether you use the battery terminals or the hood connection. An alternative (better, in my view) is to buy one of those cheap jump-starters to keep in the trunk. I just got one for $40 from WalMart and it's about the size and heft of a brick. Nicely well-made.

Another option if you're going away for months would be to buy a cheap trickle solar panel you could put on the dash and plug into the OBDII port below the steering wheel. Ebay has them for $40.

vlad_a

Nate,
You might be doing this right! I heard of a trick, which is to turn on the high beams before starting in the extreme cold. While it may seem counter-intuitive, the discharge warms up the battery, giving it more juice.

BTW, my '13 is still on the original battery. Been good so far, knock on the wood.
It has been taking a fraction of a second longer to get to the "ready state", but it's been this way for a year now.
There are no other indications of battery deterioration.

Kopavi

Since I do not drive the RX450H that often (often 5-7 days of down time) I use a CTEK Multi US 3300 (3.3 amp) charger with pulse maintenance. It is hooked up directly to the battery in the rear cargo hatch. This is just out of habit and has worked well as a preventative measure on all my vehicles (three of which have been hybrids). If you drive everyday it should be less of an concern.

The CTEK can be connected with an 8' extension that can remain in one of the two side hatch compartments in the cargo area until you are ready to connect to the charger. The wires exit the rear hatch and do not impact your ability to close the rear door. This allows for a one time connection to the battery. If you opt to use the jump port in the engine compartment, I think you might need to connect it each time you want to charge the battery as a permanent connection looks to be more challenging.

A good review and comparison of the CTEK 3300 and 7200 chargers can be viewed here:
https://www.stevejenkins.com/blog/20...tery-chargers/

fishybone

How long should the hybrid battery last if not driven? We're going away for a holiday for the first time since getting our 2013 RX450H and we'll be gone for about 3 weeks. It should be between 3 and 18 degrees here in Australia (that's 37 and 59 F) during that time, and the car will be sitting in our garage. Assuming I get the hybrid battery to a reasonable charge (by coasting downhill) prior to us leaving, we should be able to come back to a car that starts fine?

tempestv8

I am also away for 4 weeks so I put the 12 volt battery on a trickle charger. As for the traction battery, it can be left for 3 months, I believe.

I did as you suggested, i.e. bring it to as full a charge as practical.

samsonn25

If the traction battery sits too long and is fully discharged, or if the traction battery fails, can the car/vehicle be jump started? since the regular 12v battery only operates and maintains the electronics.

Stoodo

iTrader: (4)

samsonn25

The jump start via the 12v regular battery will give enough current to run the electronics since the traction battery starts the mechanical engine, since 98% of the time the traction battery has enough juice.

I was wondering cars that are at auction either from an accident or insurance loss that sits on salvage lots for 4-12 months have totally discharged traction batteries. If this case it would need to be towed to dealer to run Techstream, or a place to try to recharge the traction battery with the "Special charger" or to an Indie shop to take out the traction battery completely to bench test it to see if the cells will hold any power.

stamy74

Hi there.

I own a 2010 Lexus RX450h.
I have to leave the car for around 3-4 weeks cause I will be away.
Are there any precautions I have to take in order for the battery to not drain? Or there shouldn't be a problem for such period?

Many thanx in advance.

Droid13

If you refer to the 12V battery (especially if you still have the original), you might consider using a trickle charger to keep the battery topped up for this length of time. If the 12V battery is newer and in good shape, it should be ok by itself for that period of time. Don't leave the key near the vehicle, as I've heard that causes more use of the key transmitter (apparently draining battery more quickly, not 100% sure on this). If there is no way to use a trickle charger, probably the next best thing is to have one of those small portable booster packs. There are booster points under the hood that can energize the 12V system to get things going again if necessary. You should become familiar with them (the positive terminal is in the big fuse box on the right, there is a ground point on the left, but any good ground point will do).

If you are referring to the hybrid battery, as long as the battery was near the top of the charge when the vehicle was parked, it should be fine for this period of time. Usually it gets iffy when you start talking months of non-use, not weeks.