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Camping overnight in RAV4 Hybrid - how often will engine kick in?

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Zx85

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Appreciate if anyone can chime in:
1. Does anyone know how often will engine kick in if let's say it's cold outside 40F and you are camping inside overnight with climate set at 70F? I understand it depends on temperature difference and circumstances, but I'm trying to get a general idea: like for example it will kick in every 5 minutes and will work for 3 minutes (probably more realistic considering battery isn't too large). Or it will kick in every 15 minutes and will work for 2 minutes (this is highly unlikely and optimistic of course I suspect).
2. Can you put it in READY mode with set climate and locked doors? If so, can you turn off all exterior lights (headlights, parking lights etc) to keep camping discrete? Also, will the headlights or parking lights turn on when engine kicks in during camping?
3. What's the maximum wattage of things to use while camping: I mean can I plug in a heater or powerful gaming laptop or electric blanket? I haven't checked specs yet to be honest, but any input would be appreciated.
4. How much gas is used overnight - if anyone can provide examples with any temperature set climate - just for reference, as I understand it depends on temperature set and outside temperature.

Thank you
 
#2 ·
Zx85 said:
Appreciate if anyone can chime in:
1. Does anyone know how often will engine kick in if let's say it's cold outside 40F and you are camping inside overnight with climate set at 70F? I understand it depends on temperature difference and circumstances, but I'm trying to get a general idea: like for example it will kick in every 5 minutes and will work for 3 minutes (probably more realistic considering battery isn't too large). Or it will kick in every 15 minutes and will work for 2 minutes (this is highly unlikely and optimistic of course I suspect).
2. Can you put it in READY mode with set climate and locked doors? If so, can you turn off all exterior lights (headlights, parking lights etc) to keep camping discrete? Also, will the headlights or parking lights turn on when engine kicks in during camping?
3. What's the maximum wattage of things to use while camping: I mean can I plug in a heater or powerful gaming laptop or electric blanket? I haven't checked specs yet to be honest, but any input would be appreciated.
4. How much gas is used overnight - if anyone can provide examples with any temperature set climate - just for reference, as I understand it depends on temperature set and outside temperature.

Thank you
Click to expand...
I can tell you under load my acer nitro 5 gaming laptop draws 325 to 375 watts. I know this because I have it plugged into a portable battery pack for rare use when the power goes out. In the car however it might be tough to game because of ergonomics. when checking emails etc the power usage goes down to about half that draw.
 
#3 · (Edited)
The car will activate the engine as needed, and for the duration the car determines.

Car sitting, A/C or heater engaged, outside ambient temp hot or cold, the car will activate the engine as needed for heat or A/C, and to maintain the HV battery.

Goto Priuschat. Lots of people have used the Gen2 Prius for camping over night, and report little gas consumption.

Bottom line you are OVERTHINKING everything. The car will take care of itself, until gas runs out, so don't go camping on an empty tank.

Zx85 said:
2. Can you put it in READY mode with set climate and locked doors? If so, can you turn off all exterior lights (headlights, parking lights etc) to keep camping discrete? Also, will the headlights or parking lights turn on when engine kicks in during camping?
Click to expand...
You realize you can test this yourself and see what happens?
In order for A/C or heater to work, car must be READY. How else will A/C be made to run or heat generated for the heater?

1) Goto car.
2) Keep headlights OFF; disable AUTO HEADLIGHTS.
3) Make car READY.
4) Keep car in PARK. Parking brake engaged or disengaged, doesn’t matter for this test.
5) Roll driver window down.
6) Lock all doors
7) Walk around car, do you see any exterior lights? This is what you will see when ICE engages or NOT.
8) Unlock doors.
9) Walk around car, do you see any exterior lights? This is what you will see when ICE engages or NOT.
10) You have your answer. Rocket Science, right?
 
#4 ·
Zx85 said:
Appreciate if anyone can chime in:
1. Does anyone know how often will engine kick in if let's say it's cold outside 40F and you are camping inside overnight with climate set at 70F? I understand it depends on temperature difference and circumstances, but I'm trying to get a general idea: like for example it will kick in every 5 minutes and will work for 3 minutes (probably more realistic considering battery isn't too large). Or it will kick in every 15 minutes and will work for 2 minutes (this is highly unlikely and optimistic of course I suspect).
2. Can you put it in READY mode with set climate and locked doors? If so, can you turn off all exterior lights (headlights, parking lights etc) to keep camping discrete? Also, will the headlights or parking lights turn on when engine kicks in during camping?
3. What's the maximum wattage of things to use while camping: I mean can I plug in a heater or powerful gaming laptop or electric blanket? I haven't checked specs yet to be honest, but any input would be appreciated.
4. How much gas is used overnight - if anyone can provide examples with any temperature set climate - just for reference, as I understand it depends on temperature set and outside temperature.

Thank you
Click to expand...
One thing to add to the other comments is that heat is produced by the engine on a Rav 4 Hybrid. This means that one looses most of the benefits/efficiencies of using a hybrid for car camping. The Rav 4 Prime uses an electric heat pump for heat, which is more efficient. The Prime also has an option for a 1500 watt inverter and running the car in stealth mode (electric only) while camping.

If I could not get the Prime and needed heat during car camping, I would look into using a heating blanket for heat.
 
#5 ·
^^^
Correct me if wrong, but the Prime models only use heat pumps when in EV mode. Sitting still overnight you won't be in EV mode for long, nor will you get EV mode back without running the ICE for a long while. Bottom line is that when stationary all power comes from running the ICE. Even that power used by a heat pump.
 
#6 ·
RetiredGamer said:
I can tell you under load my acer nitro 5 gaming laptop draws 325 to 375 watts. I know this because I have it plugged into a portable battery pack for rare use when the power goes out. In the car however it might be tough to game because of ergonomics. when checking emails etc the power usage goes down to about half that draw.
Click to expand...
325 to 375 watts on a laptop? Looking up the highest end Nitro 5 laptop that I can find (Ryzen 7 5800H, RTX 3080), it only comes with a 180w power brick. So the system wouldn't pull more than 180 watts since that is all the power brick can provide.
 
#7 ·
juniorkirk said:
325 to 375 watts on a laptop? Looking up the highest end Nitro 5 laptop that I can find (Ryzen 7 5800H, RTX 3080), it only comes with a 180w power brick. So the system wouldn't pull more than 180 watts since that is all the power brick can provide.
Click to expand...
I can't speak to specific laptop manufacturers, but most laptops I know of routinely pull more power than their bricks provide if they are performing intensive tasks. That's the benefit of having a battery onboard the computer. This allows the charging circuitry and equipment (ie brick) to be smaller/more portable too.
 
#8 ·
CyprusCorner said:
I can't speak to specific laptop manufacturers, but most laptops I know of routinely pull more power than their bricks provide if they are performing intensive tasks. That's the benefit of having a battery onboard the computer. This allows the charging circuitry and equipment (ie brick) to be smaller/more portable too.
Click to expand...
I didn't think of that, but it makes sense to use the 180w from the brick and then whatever it can from the battery. If you are gaming, you will probably see a huge decrease in performance once that battery runs out of juice though. I havent had a gaming laptop since 2011, so haven't really stayed on top of power usage in the newer ones. All my laptops since then have been for normal every day use, and then I have my gaming desktop for gaming.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
NameofUser said:
The car will activate the engine as needed, and for the duration the car determines.

Car sitting, A/C or heater engaged, outside ambient temp hot or cold, the car will activate the engine as needed for heat or A/C, and to maintain the HV battery.

Goto Priuschat. Lots of people have used the Gen2 Prius for camping over night, and report little gas consumption.

Bottom line you are OVERTHINKING everything. The car will take care of itself, until gas runs out, so don't go camping on an empty tank.


You realize you can test this yourself and see what happens?
In order for A/C or heater to work, car must be READY. How else will A/C be made to run or heat generated for the heater?

1) Goto car.
2) Keep headlights OFF; disable AUTO HEADLIGHTS.
3) Make car READY.
4) Keep car in PARK. Parking brake engaged or disengaged, doesn’t matter for this test.
5) Roll driver window down.
6) Lock all doors
7) Walk around car, do you see any exterior lights? This is what you will see when ICE engages or NOT.
8) Unlock doors.
9) Walk around car, do you see any exterior lights? This is what you will see when ICE engages or NOT.
10) You have your answer. Rocket Science, right?
Click to expand...
Thank you very much! If I had a car I would test it of course, but I don't have a car yet. I'm in the market for RAV4 and researching options - hence why I asked. I hope that's not Rocket Science eh? 🤣
 
#11 ·
Spent last winter carting my wife, daughter and grandkids around because they despise winter driving. Waited in the car for them for extended periods in -10 to -15C temperatures with car in ready mode. From what I can remember the engine appeared to start for a minute or two to bring engine temperature up and shut off for 20 to 30 mins. This is a rough guess but I know it was a long time between restarts. While in run mode traction battery is charging aux. battery so no danger of discharging either. An added note, engine warms up quickly in very cold temperatures and produces cabin heat in a couple minutes at even -20C.
 
#12 ·
There's no real easy way to answer your question with specific details.
Zx85 said:
Appreciate if anyone can chime in:
1. Does anyone know how often will engine kick in if let's say it's cold outside 40F and you are camping inside overnight with climate set at 70F? I understand it depends on temperature difference and circumstances, but I'm trying to get a general idea: like for example it will kick in every 5 minutes and will work for 3 minutes (probably more realistic considering battery isn't too large). Or it will kick in every 15 minutes and will work for 2 minutes (this is highly unlikely and optimistic of course I suspect).
2. Can you put it in READY mode with set climate and locked doors? If so, can you turn off all exterior lights (headlights, parking lights etc) to keep camping discrete? Also, will the headlights or parking lights turn on when engine kicks in during camping?
3. What's the maximum wattage of things to use while camping: I mean can I plug in a heater or powerful gaming laptop or electric blanket? I haven't checked specs yet to be honest, but any input would be appreciated.
4. How much gas is used overnight - if anyone can provide examples with any temperature set climate - just for reference, as I understand it depends on temperature set and outside temperature.

Thank you
Click to expand...
1. Depends how hot you crank the heat. If it makes you feel any better, toyota hybrids extract heat from the exhaust as well, so they're approximately twice as efficient regarding fuel per whatever unit heat as many other vehicles when used solely as a cabin heater. Most cars only extract heat from the engine block, and the exhaust heat radiates away outside of the cabin.
3. DC outlets are rated at 180W, 12V. If you want more power than that, there's plenty of threads out there on how people installed a 1000W AC inverter in the system. Additionally, I believe MG1 and MG2 are about twice as efficient as a standard alternator, so any electrical power used, is going to require half as much gas to convert from.
4. not sure the exact quantity, but based on what I told you in point #1, this car will likely use significantly less than most cars available today.
 
#14 ·
It's been years since I car camped, but my experience was always that I needed a way to roll the windows down to let excess body heat out, with no need for supplemental heat--but personally 70F indoors is a bit warm for sleeping, though it's a comfortable daytime temp. That was at ~40F outdoor or lower. At complete rest, a single person radiates about 100W, so if you are camping with someone else, think about running two 100W bulbs overnight in a relatively small space.

It probably is a good idea to have some air exchange to reduce CO2 in that enclosed space, whether that's a couple of windows opened a small amount, or leaving the car on with the climate control on (which means you don't worry about bugs or rain). I would go the climate control, and use a blanket or two that you can pull over your sleeping bag or push off to moderate your own comfort, but I suspect the climate control will not need to run the heater unless it's below freezing outside.

Not sure if this is helpful, but I have waited for someone in the car on a hot summer day, and left the car on with AC, partly for academic curiosity, mostly for comfort. It was upper 90s outside but in the shade, and car set to 65 inside, and it would keep the AC running for about 30 minutes before running the engine less than 5 minutes to recharge the battery to a level it wanted, then repeat (it was a long wait, and I had a book). Obviously heating is very different, but just for perspective, or if you want to camp somewhere warmer. I suspect the gas consumption would be trivial compared to normal driving; as long as you don't start on empty, it won't matter.
 
#15 ·
Zx85 said:
Appreciate if anyone can chime in:
1. Doing this now. Seems like every 3 mins. Heat set to 80 with fan at the very lowest setting, with an ext. of 35 degrees… i am getting an average of 40 secs. After 3 mins of battery use, so in total, 3 mins 40 secs per until the engine kicks in again… but i don’t think there is a normal. Last cycle was more like 30 secs…. But i stopped timing
2. If you use only power on… which i believe is what u mean by ready, the heater does not work. You muat turn the car on. Meaning. If you press the power on with out pressing on the brake peddle. Only the electrical components work and not the ICE part
3. Not planning on doing any of this.
4. I calculted that every hour, the car would be on for 6 mins total. I may post an update on how long on how many hours
Click to expand...
 
#16 ·
CyprusCorner said:
1. Depends how hot you crank the heat. If it makes you feel any better, toyota hybrids extract heat from the exhaust as well, so they're approximately twice as efficient regarding fuel per whatever unit heat as many other vehicles when used solely as a cabin heater. Most cars only extract heat from the engine block, and the exhaust heat radiates away outside of the cabin.
Click to expand...
Not all Toyota hybrids use heat extraction from the exhaust. It varies from model to model and from territory to territory.
 
#18 ·
Did it 5 days ago altitud 1500mts, 7/1C , wife....The first night was perfect, more cover from the wid 7C, the motor started a few times, fuel consumption vey LOW, sleep like a baby. Second night, we moved to a better view, more exposed to the elements; more wind and 1C with a feels likes -3C, i notice more starts of the engine and more gas consumption; but nothing to be scared of. We where very pleased and suprised about how adaptable and clever the desing was. We have had a great time, truck were left on, lights off (only complaint, lights wont turn off completly and the inside panel too...unless I was doing something wrong.
 
#20 ·
Zx85 said:
2. Can you put it in READY mode with set climate and locked doors? If so, can you turn off all exterior lights (headlights, parking lights etc) to keep camping discrete? Also, will the headlights or parking lights turn on when engine kicks in during camping?
Click to expand...
FYI Canadian vehicles are legally set as to not turn off all exterior illumination there was a change in 2021 by Transport Canada. I can't remember all the specifics but it had something to do with people driving around with the dash gauges lit and DRLs on and they are clueless so they don't realize they don't actually have all the running lights on (nothing on the rear illuminated).

You may have to experiment with setting the parking brake or pulling a fuse or relay if you really need to disable every single bulb on the exterior. Just FYI

You'll note the Canadian turn signal headlight stalk is a little different from the US one when you look at the owners manual.

Edit: found the article https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transp...-standards-vehicles-tires-child-car-seats/using-your-vehicle-lights-see-be-seen
 
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