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Video Tutorial-How To: What to do if your 12v Battery Dies
- Thread starter islandbayy
- Start date
Tommy
Member
@islandbay I have used a cloth covered putty knife; I would use the CC's as a fallback if I was out on the road with no tools. The car should have come with a red cap for the + post. At least mine came that way.
I originally used electrical tape wrapped flat head screw driver, worked GREAT, and no damage, however, most people dont have a putty knife or flat head screwdriver them, hence the credit cards (Actually Casino Players Cards).
And if anyone else has ideas for more road side service videos, let me know
My Tesla video series is growing and more then happy to keep making em. This was video 41 
Sure: http://www.peakauto.com/products/electronics/jump-starters/battery-jump-starters/
Thats not the exact one I have, they appeared to have re-designed it. Mine was $39.99 at Farm & Fleet.
Has Jump Cables, USB Power Port, 2x12v power plugs, tire inflator, LED Spotlight, and a 120v 200 watt Power Inverter. I use it daily. It's battery is ready to bite the dust, put I took out the 1 year extended warranty for the additional $4 at F&F, so they will be replacing it after I give them a call I use the heck out of these things.
Thats not the exact one I have, they appeared to have re-designed it. Mine was $39.99 at Farm & Fleet.
Has Jump Cables, USB Power Port, 2x12v power plugs, tire inflator, LED Spotlight, and a 120v 200 watt Power Inverter. I use it daily. It's battery is ready to bite the dust, put I took out the 1 year extended warranty for the additional $4 at F&F, so they will be replacing it after I give them a call
I use the heck out of these things.
Jump box might not work if it's too far gone. A higher powered battery charger or conditioner can provide more of a power boost that would get the voltage high enough for the car to turn on.
I own a Motorcycle, Scooter Dealership w/Custom Auto Body. It's convenient for filling tires, jumping cycles, plugging in tools into the 120v outlet on it. Also when I do service calls.
Jump start, no, charge, yes.
The draw from a ICE cranking it's engine over, you proverbially could, though, I would not risk it. If you "REALLY NEED TO", open drivers door on the MS, that will wake it up, and get the DC to DC converter going if it is not already doing so and will keep it going, then connect up the jumper cables. You will need to leave it connected for about a half hour to replenish the ICE's battery. DISCONNECT the MS BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ICE!
While I would not "want" to do the above, it is certainly doable. I have done similar from my Electric Alfa before, but that is a bit different, as it was all Lead Acid batteries, and I had 11 of them with no risk of damaging any electronics (much simpler system on my Electric Alfa Romeo).
The draw from a ICE cranking it's engine over, you proverbially could, though, I would not risk it. If you "REALLY NEED TO", open drivers door on the MS, that will wake it up, and get the DC to DC converter going if it is not already doing so and will keep it going, then connect up the jumper cables. You will need to leave it connected for about a half hour to replenish the ICE's battery. DISCONNECT the MS BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ICE!
While I would not "want" to do the above, it is certainly doable. I have done similar from my Electric Alfa before, but that is a bit different, as it was all Lead Acid batteries, and I had 11 of them with no risk of damaging any electronics (much simpler system on my Electric Alfa Romeo).
JPP
Active Member
BTW, you can safely and easily remove the nose cone without tools/credit cards. As you demoed, there are metal clips on the top edge, but on the bottom there are plastic tabs with a small flat shelf. If you place your palms on the nose cone with fingers pointing down, wrapped around the lower edge of the nose cone, and gently press up, you will disengage the lower tabs. Rotate the lower edge away from the bottom, then you can grab and pull around the perimeter to pop the top metal clips.
I was thinking the same thing. In addition, what's the actual draw for a "jump start"? If it's small, you might be able to rig up 8 AA cells with a "cigarette lighter plug" and not have to fuss with removing the nose cone. At the least, a small 12V gell cell would probably do.
I know my Prius didn't need much capacity when the 12V battery got depleted. The ammeter didn't even budge when I jumped it.
That will not work. When the car is "off", the 12v plug inside the vehicle is disabled (as in no voltage or connection to the battery). Once it is woken up, then it is turned on. So if the car will not power up, must be done through the nose cone.
The USB ports are hot when the car is "off". Not sure if jumpstarting via that route is viable though.
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