HI. This topic evolved within my thread about adding always-on 12V sockets to the Prius.
I know that in the engine compartment's fusebox there's a terminal to be used for jump-starting the car. In fact it warns it's the ONLY positive terminal to which a jumper should be attached. That raises some questions....
Is the high-voltage battery totally isolated from the 12V battery?
Is the main battery ever used to start the gasoline engine? With the cost of fuel today maybe that should be spelled "gaso-lien"? :-(
Does the gas engine have a traditional alternator that charges the 12V battery?
Does *all* the non-traction circuitry get power from the 12V battery?
Thank goodness for the knowledge in this group!
Brent