Will AC run off Lithiums only?

Bev Jane · May 25, 2025

I have a 2025 1958. What is the best way to use the AC when the car is parked? Is there some way to access power from the Lithium battery without the engine fully engaged? Trying to keep my crated dog cool. My first summer with my new rig. Thanks in advance.

Don · May 25, 2025

You will need to leave the LC on. The engine will run periodically. There is no control over the battery.

KyLandcruiser · May 25, 2025

The battery will run down to 3 bars. When the battery hits three bars the engine will soon start cycling on and off.

Jester · May 25, 2025

Bev Jane said:
I have a 2025 1958. What is the best way to use the AC when the car is parked? Is there some way to access power from the Lithium battery without the engine fully engaged? Trying to keep my crated dog cool. My first summer with my new rig. Thanks in advance.

Read the owners manual before you put that dog's life in the hands of a machine that is indifferent to life and death.

That said; yeah, the A/C doesn't run off the engine but there are settings, like an auto-off, that will need to be worked with before you desert that dog in your truck for your selfish requirements.

Dog people are wild.

brap · May 25, 2025

Jester said:
Read the owners manual before you put that dog's life in the hands of a machine that is indifferent to life and death.

That said; yeah, the A/C doesn't run off the engine but there are settings, like an auto-off, that will need to be worked with before you desert that dog in your truck for your selfish requirements.

Dog people are wild.

What are you talking about? It's a very reasonable want. Teslas have a dog mode and it's super nice for keeping the climate on when you pop into a shop.

What's wild is you coming out guns blazing over someone asking about climate control. Is this a personal issue for you? Did you get left in a hot car and lose your manners in the incident?

AlexGates · May 25, 2025

To have the LC (ie: HVAC) run when you walk away, and have the doors locked, is to use the physical key to lock the vehicle. Remember to disable the 1hr auto shut off if you're leaving fido in the vehicle. Also, to unlock the vehicle you will need to use the physical key again, the fob, nor exterior handle will not work.

The battery isn't lithium fwiw.

Don · May 25, 2025

brap said:
What are you talking about? It's a very reasonable want. Teslas have a dog mode and it's super nice for keeping the climate on when you pop into a shop.

What's wild is you coming out guns blazing over someone asking about climate control. Is this a personal issue for you? Did you get left in a hot car and lose your manners in the incident?

Climate modes in Tesla and probably other EV is certainly superior to what is in the LC 250. I'm disappointed with how the LC doesn't warm up much in winter with a 10 minute pre-start. Toyota turning on the seat/steering wheel heaters with the car being empty would help a lot.

Dog mode works great in Teslas and probably most other EVs.

The AC in the 250 probably uses about 3kw. The battery in the LC has a capacity a bit less than 1 kwh. So a dog mode on battery alone is not practical

Bev Jane · May 25, 2025

Jester said:
Read the owners manual before you put that dog's life in the hands of a machine that is indifferent to life and death.

That said; yeah, the A/C doesn't run off the engine but there are settings, like an auto-off, that will need to be worked with before you desert that dog in your truck for your selfish requirements.

Dog people are wild.

Jester, I appreciate your concern. But, trust me with this. I run sport dogs and am within sight of my dogs virtually at all times when they are crated. I have owned the #1 Sire (AKC ATAA) of working German Shepherds in the US for the last four years running. I treat them with no less responsibility than I would treat a human life. But, I get your concern. Some do not. My other car is a MB Sprinter with a Revel buildout. I can run my AC off my lithiums. Just wondering if I could do the same with my LC.

Bev Jane · May 25, 2025

Don said:
Climate modes in Tesla and probably other EV is certainly superior to what is in the LC 250. I'm disappointed with how the LC doesn't warm up much in winter with a 10 minute pre-start. Toyota turning on the seat/steering wheel heaters with the car being empty would help a lot.

Dog mode works great in Teslas and probably most other EVs.

The AC in the 250 probably uses about 3kw. The battery in the LC has a capacity a bit less than 1 kwh. So a dog mode on battery alone is not practical

Thank You. This is the info I needed. My previous car was a 4Runner, so will work the AC issue as I have in the past.