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The main battery consists of lithium ion battery that is small and lightweight and also
has a high energy density. The motor (electric motor unit) and the air conditioning system are powered
by the main battery. The main battery is in the glass-reinforced plastic case that has high
water-resistant properties, vibration-resistant properties, dust-resistant properties and high heat-resistant
properties. The case is placed under the floor. The battery consists of two kind of modules,
8-cell modules in which 8 battery cells are in series, and 4-cell modules in which 4 battery
cells are in series. 10 of 8-cell modules and 2 of 4-cell modules are used. In total, the 88
battery cells are connected in series, which produces the total voltage as 330 V.
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<Characteristics>
- The main battery, which is based on lithium ion battery, can be charged before the
stored energy is used up.
- The main battery capacity gradually decreases with the lapse of time, depending
on the operating/stored conditions.
- The main battery performance can be varied with ambient temperature. Especially
in the lower temperature, the cruising range may become shorter and the required time for charging
may also become longer.
- If the vehicle is stored in extremely high or low temperature, the battery capacity
may decrease rapidly.
- Even if the vehicle is not in use, the main battery may be gradually discharged
and the energy stored in the main battery will be reduced.
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<Precautions in use>
- Storage of the vehicle for a long time with zero state on the energy level gauge
would make it infeasible to charge the main battery due to the over-discharge and in some cases the
main battery needs to be replaced.
- When the vehicle is parked for a long time without use, charge the main battery
fully every 3 months to avoid the over-discharge.
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The cell monitoring unit (CMU) is mounted in each module. The battery cell voltage sensor
measuring the voltage of each battery cell and the module temperature sensor measuring the temperature
of the module cell are mounted in the module. There are three module temperature sensors where
four battery cells are connected in series and six module temperature sensors where eight battery
cells are connected in series. The signal is input into the CMU. This allows the CMU to monitor
each cell conditions. The CMU has the balancer that smooths voltage variations among the battery
cells.
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The service plug is placed under the driver seat <L.H. drive vehicles> or under the
passenger seat <R.H. drive vehicles>. Remove the service plug before performing the check
and the maintenance work on the high voltage components to ensure the job safety, shutting off
the high voltage circuit. Inserting and pulling the service plug switch installed to the main
battery turns ON/OFF the service plug lever.
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The service plug switch is installed to the main battery. This switch detects the status
of opening and closing a high voltage circuit on the service plug. The switch uses the service
plug lever terminal to detect the status of inserting and pulling the service plug. Installing
the service plug allows electricity to go through the service plug switch (interlock circuit)
to input the ON signal to the EV-ECU. Removing the service plug allows electricity not to go
through the service plug switch (interlock circuit) to input the OFF signal to the EV-ECU.
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