Automotive troubles
BAD NEWS: The hybrid car won't start. It says the 12-volt battery is low.
GOOD NEWS: It was in the garage when this happened, so at least I'm not stranded anywhere.
GOOD NEWS: We temporarily have a backup car. Maybe we can use that to jump the hybrid.
BAD NEWS: The jumper cables aren't long enough to connect the cars where the hybrid is parked.
GOOD NEWS: We're young enough that we might be able to push it into the driveway.
BAD NEWS: The hybrid refuses to shift into neutral when the 12v battery is low, so it can't be moved.
GOOD NEWS: We were able to buy a jump starter pack.
BAD NEWS: It has to be charged from wall power for 24 hours before use.
GOOD NEWS: We're not in a huge hurry.
BAD NEWS: It might snow later this week. The backup car is not nearly as good for driving in snow.
Automotive troubles
@peterdrake Just a reminder that you don't need the full current load to activate the solenoid on the shifter. Just about any 12v supply you can find will get you into neutral even if it wont get the engine to turn over.
If you have time, you can use just about any wire to charge the battery -- you don't need bulking jumper cables as long as the current isn't too high, or as @antares says you can use a 12V wall wart to charge it overnight enough to get the ICE engine going which will charge the 12V up.
Also, check the water level in the battery cells (If it allows that). Sometimes, if the electrolyte level is low and you add some distilled water, that's enough for it to work.
