What powers the A/C in iforce-max?

[jimr]

The A/C seems to still work even when the engine decides to shut down e.g. at a traffic light. So its power source must be battery rather than belt-driven. But which battery, 12-volt or hybrid?

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[kzrman]

Logically speaking it would be from the 12 Volt side.

What I would love to know is if the HVAC system uses a heat pump. Now that would be cool (no pun intended).

 

[LLL1990]

It's an electric compressor and the high voltage battery powers it. Toyota has done their hybrids like this since the early 2000s Prius.

 

[sliver]

Logically speaking it would be from the 12 Volt side.

What I would love to know is if the HVAC system uses a heat pump. Now that would be cool (no pun intended).

I believe it comes from the hybrid battery. 1) the max amount of watt is 2400w that would pull 200 amps from the poor car battery, it would kill it in minutes, if not seconds. 2) The non hybrid have a max of 400 wattt being pulled it you max it out the alternator would work overtime, but it can feed it.

 

[jimr]

Thanks for the responses. Yes my guess was the A/C is powered by the hybrid battery. krzman mentioned the alternator for the non-hybrid. Which brings up the question, does the hybrid variant even HAVE an alternator? If so why does it need it? My understanding (though possibly wrong) has been that the hybrid battery can be charged as-needed, i.e. not solely by regenerative braking. And can't the hybrid battery charge the 12-volt?

 

[RdMick]

Thanks for the responses. Yes my guess was the A/C is powered by the hybrid battery. krzman mentioned the alternator for the non-hybrid. Which brings up the question, does the hybrid variant even HAVE an alternator? If so why does it need it? My understanding (though possibly wrong) has been that the hybrid battery can be charged as-needed, i.e. not solely by regenerative braking. And can't the hybrid battery charge the 12-volt?

I think the hybrid motor/generator replaces a typical alternator and charges the 12v battery and runs the vehicle systems. There is or was an option for pre wired accessory switches that added a standard alternator from what I understand, which would be a nice option to have... I do not... and yes, the ac compressor is electric motor driven as opposed to belt to run with engine off.

 

[Dead Horse]

Thanks for the responses. Yes my guess was the A/C is powered by the hybrid battery. krzman mentioned the alternator for the non-hybrid. Which brings up the question, does the hybrid variant even HAVE an alternator? If so why does it need it? My understanding (though possibly wrong) has been that the hybrid battery can be charged as-needed, i.e. not solely by regenerative braking. And can't the hybrid battery charge the 12-volt?

Interestingly, the hybrid DOES have an alternator, but only if the 4Runner was optioned with the Aux switches. If you don't have the aux switches optioned, there isn't an alternator under the hood. I confirmed this in person on two HORPs last week. Identical in all ways except those buttons. The one without the buttons didn't have an alternator.

If I'm not mistaken, that one little thing would enable you to drive the 4Runner like a regular car if the hybrid system failed. That's pretty cheap insurance. Also, considering all that's involved with the switches/wiring/buttons/etc, that's a really cheap alternator (aux switch option is only $400) LOL

 

[sliver]

Thanks for the responses. Yes my guess was the A/C is powered by the hybrid battery. krzman mentioned the alternator for the non-hybrid. Which brings up the question, does the hybrid variant even HAVE an alternator? If so why does it need it? My understanding (though possibly wrong) has been that the hybrid battery can be charged as-needed, i.e. not solely by regenerative braking. And can't the hybrid battery charge the 12-volt?

I have a Trailhunter and it does have an alternator. It is used to feed the battery for the AUX items. (So if your Hybrid 4Runner has AUX switches, it has an alternator.

And like the car care nut said. () IF the hybrid system fails in 15 years, the engine still has everything it needs to run without it...

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