Hybrid top off capability

[jamesgang]

I was wondering about the capability of topping off the Hybrid battries while parked for 6-8 hours. When I arrive at work most of my trip on base is level or down hill and the speed limit is 25mph. So I'm 100% on battery power. By the time I reach my parking spot my battries are down to 20-30% capacity. Now I know they make solar sheets you can set on the dash to keep regular car batteries trickle charged during long periods of down time, when parked outside and plugged into the car lighter or 12v acces. outlet. I want to know if you could take one of these solar sheets, put it on the dash, and after the car has been parked outside on a bright sunny day, if it would trickle charge the Hybrid batteries. Are the Hybrid batteries intertied with the standard car battery?

[squik]

There is no need to keep a hybrid at 100% battery power, since it will charge itself as you drive. Buying external batteries to charge the car will make the "greenness" of the car fly out the window (you know how many resources it takes to make a battery never mind what it takes to charge and keep it charged). Solar panels are the least efficient form of alternate energy out there today. They can only produce a fraction of the energy it took to make them. Unless you don't care about the green side of the car, then just do what ever. Which is why I bought the 3.5 coupe and not the hybrid.

[johnny_d]

solar panels aren't efficient enough to fully charge your battery in 8 hrs. They are meant to keep batteries from completely draining when not driving for months like RVs. Also, it's better for you to drain the batteries and recharge them rather than charging all the time.

[shift_mikey]

Also, it's better for you to drain the batteries and recharge them rather than charging all the time.

That is NOT try in the case of lead acid batteries. I don't know what kind of batteries the hybrid system uses, i'm sure they are deep cycle.

NICAD, NIMH, LI-ion, LI-ply, all benefit from "cycling". Car batteries usually do not

What his complaint is, he drives 25 mph to and from work, so the batteries don't have a chance to charge at highway speed. I presume he's contemplating how to charge the batts cause then he'd never need the gas engine

[squik]

Does this one have a secret plug hidden under a panel? Some of the hybrids (I think) have something like this, but using it voids your warranty. Not sure where I read that.

[jamesgang]

No it doesn't have the hidden plug and yes they are deep cycle batteries. I was just curious in how to make it the most efficiant as I could. No further answers needed.

[3Q Jay]

joe walsh and funk 49? sorry....couldn't resist.