Hybrid power train and air conditioning?

[Maverick-xv]

I thought all modern AC systems run off the alternator.

Unless the car has so called Mild Hybrid with separate large battery. it is very unlikely - the AC will kill conventional 12V battery in a matter of minutes. Basically, if you have belt driven AC - it only works when engine running.

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[Maverick-xv]

Well if Ford has managed to improve the efficiency on their newer hybrid A/C systems that much I certainly won't be complaining.

A/C was ice cold on Escape Hybrid that Maverick Hybrid is based on.

 

[theek]

It’s basically the same. If the car starts getting too hot the gas engine starts to run the compressor. Same for heat in the winter. The best thing you can do to negate this issue in the summer is to get a good tint that will stop a lot of heat entering the cabin. I had a tinted BMW for ten years and when I sold it and got a truck I was shocked at how hot I got if the sun was shining on me. I have to crank the AC higher to compensate. I’m taking my maverick to the tint shop ASAP when I take delivery.

edit: actually I take it back. I don’t remember the hybrid kicking on the engine to power the compressor in the summer. Only the heat in the winter.

Unless the car has so called Mild Hybrid with separate large battery. it is very unlikely - the AC will kill conventional 12V battery in a matter of minutes. Basically, if you have belt driven AC - it only works when engine running.

My Honda CRV runs AC off the battery. I can get 30 minutes our of it.

 

[DavidS]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the start/stop system shuts the engine down entirely. I thought it dropped down to only firing on 2 cylinders. If it shuts off entirely, you'll burn through starter motors very fast.

 

[theek]

My Honda CRV runs AC off the battery. I can get 30 minutes our of it.

The compressor is both electronic and belt-driven. The AC compressor relay controls the supply of electricity.

 

[theek]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the start/stop system shuts the engine down entirely. I thought it dropped down to only firing on 2 cylinders. If it shuts off entirely, you'll burn through starter motors very fast.

No it shuts down.

 

[Wire4money]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the start/stop system shuts the engine down entirely. I thought it dropped down to only firing on 2 cylinders. If it shuts off entirely, you'll burn through starter motors very fast.

You are wrong. It’s not uncommon for our Audi to restart several times at a long stop light to keep the interior cool.

 

[Darnon]

There isn't a traditional starter on a hybrid like Ford uses. The engine is started via the motor/generator in the transaxle. There's no solenoid or brushes that typically wear out on an external starter.

 

[Darnon]

The compressor is both electronic and belt-driven. The AC compressor relay controls the supply of electricity.

Looks like Honda uses a combo unit. On the Fords it's entirely electrical. There is no accessory drive belt at all.

 

[theek]

The 2.0T gas engine though.

 

[Maverick-xv]

The 2.0T gas engine though.

The thread is about Hybrid powertrain.

 

[Maverick-xv]

When engine is off on the non-Hybrid car the generator is not working, so in case you do not know - the car pulls about 30-40 Amps with ignition on, add to it AC and after a few minutes the battery will be drained and would not be enough power to re-start the engine. The Honda may be using combo unit to improve efficiency in some cars, but the wast majority do not have it and would not have it as it is cost money they are not willing to spend it on this gimmick. The reason car restarts during long stops - the temp start to climb when using AC or battery is getting drained below safe threshold, so they have to re-start it early. As we all know with Start/Stop systems it is usually can hold for a minute or two and then it has re-start the engine.

 

[dceggert]

When engine is off the generator is not working, so in case you do not know - the car pulls about 30-40 Amps with ignition on, add to it AC and after a few minutes the battery will be drained and would not be enough power to re-start the engine. The Honda may be using combo unit to improve efficiency in some cars, but the wast majority do not have it and would not have it as it is cost money they are not willing to spend it on this gimmick. The reason car restarts during long stops - the temp start to climb when using AC or battery is getting drained, so they have to re-start it early.

The electric AC pump runs off the high voltage ''traction battery' not the 12v starting battery. The vehicle manages the batteries charge levels (both) and will start the engine to prevent the batteries from discharging too low.

 

[fbov]

Using A/C on the same afternoon route (20 miles) I've gone from 50-55mpg to 41 mpg. As for the ICE needing to run more...

First off, let me apologize for my tone. I tend to challenge folks who make unsubstantiated claims. I think I read things into your post, and that's on me. At the same time, 5 of the last 10 posts to this thread do not apply to a hybrid, so you can understand a little skepticism.

In my experience, I go from 41 to 55 mpg regularly depending on the route terrain. You know the area; I'm driving from Bushnell's Basin to Southern Tier cities like Ithaca, Elmira, Corning, Hornell, etc., on rural roads, and returning to Henrietta on I86/I390, then driving home. Given the speed and temperature dependence, I plot against average speed, and show Summer (June-Sept) and Winter (Jan-Mar) populations.

AC is on for all the Summer trips, but the data says the large spread is due to varying routes and weather (rain).

Last bit... we installed whole house AC a few years ago, using a modern multi-stage compressor. Looking at our utility bills, there was no change in electricity usage. The AC unit running 24/7 uses about the same amount of power as the several fans we no longer need.

 

[fbov]

The thread is about Hybrid powertrain.

When engine is off the generator is not working, so in case you do not know - the car pulls about 30-40 Amps with ignition on, add to it AC and after a few minutes the battery will be drained and would not be enough power to re-start the engine. The Honda may be using combo unit to improve efficiency in some cars, but the wast majority do not have it and would not have it as it is cost money they are not willing to spend it on this gimmick. The reason car restarts during long stops - the temp start to climb when using AC or battery is getting drained below safe threshold, so they have to re-start it early. As we all know with Start/Stop systems it is usually can hold for a minute or two and then it has re-start the engine.

I respond only because you clearly know it's a hybrid, yet you talk about conventional powertrains, seemingly confusing the 12v chassis battery with the HVB, and making points based on these incorrect assumptions.
- the entire car runs off the HVB. The 12v chassis battery is charged through a DC-DC converter that cuts the ~216v HVB down to 12v.
- when on-but-parked, the ICE will run periodically to maintain HVB charge, perhaps a 10% duty cycle depending on cooling load.
- there is never any risk of batteries getting drained with the car on. (There is a known problem with 12v discharging when the car is off.)
- start-stop functionality is a recent feature added to conventional drivetrains. It's inherent in all but the mildest hybrids.

This is a truck forum, while I'm a Ford hybrid fan and a car guy. I'll keep truck comments to myself.

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