What is a Hybrid Inverter Coolant Drain, Flush & Refill?
Hybrid drive vehicles which use electricity must store that electricity in a direct current (DC) battery. Since the hybrid drive motor uses alternating current (AC), the hybrid inverter must be used to change DC power to AC power. As you may imagine, the high voltage used in the hybrid battery creates a large amount of heat in the inverter as current is changed from DC to AC, so a cooling system must be used. This is much like the cooling system on an engine.
How do Hybrid Inverter Cooling Systems work?
High voltage creates high heat, so the metallic case of the inverter generates lots of heat which must be transferred to a liquid via indirect contact. The cooling system for an inverter may run over, under, around, through, or to the side of the inverter, and the purpose is to absorb the heat byproduct of electricity changing from DC to AC. The coolant passages touch the inverter, the heat moves from the inverter to the cooling passages, and the cool liquid inside the cooling passages absorb that heat and carry it to the radiator. Wind blowing across the radiator cools the liquid in the reverse manner, and the hybrid inverter cooling system pump pushes the cooled liquid back through the cooling passages again.
When does the Hybrid Inverter Cooling System need service?
The inverter will become hot if the hybrid inverter cooling system decreases in efficiency. This may happen if the coolant becomes too old, turns corrosive, or becomes contaminated. When this occurs, the hybrid drive system warning lamp will appear, and the hybrid drive control module will reference the inverter becoming too hot. Also, the hybrid drive system may possibly cease function, and the operation of the vehicle may be suspended as well. However, more often than failure occurs, the system requires a flush, drain, and refill because or system repair or scheduled maintenance.