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How critical to replace 12V aux battery?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by iamsaws, Dec 21, 2011.

  1. iamsaws

    iamsaws New Member

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    I see the other threads, but in peoples experience how critical would you change the battery. ( I need ammunition to convince the wife)

    I have a 2007 prius with 62K on it. The car has randomly been dying for a year and half. once every other month, I have never found a pattern. I thought at first it was because I wasn't hitting PARK before I hit Power off, but last night I hit POWER OFF and this morning It started right up. I just got inspected and had the garage do a battery test. it came back as Weak at 10.29 volts. All other aspects tested proper.

    To me its time to replace. Is 10.29 REALLY weak or just getting weak?

    Any other 2007 owners know of any phantom draws?

    I am pretty sure its the battery.

    Thanks!any links to the best deal? I see that the yellow top Optima seems to be the best choice. I was quoted $176 from the dealership.
     
    #1 iamsaws, Dec 21, 2011
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    10.29 is dead. Get it replaced now, not later.

    Tom
     
    #2 qbee42, Dec 21, 2011
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The 12V battery replacement is past-due. Unless your wife likes the drama associated with calling for tow truck service or walking home, it would be a really good idea to replace the battery now.

    You may want to call the parts depts at the various Toyota dealerships in your area as 12V battery MSRP should be around $139.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Dec 21, 2011
  4. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    Agree, get the Optima! :cheer2:
     
    #4 andyprius, Dec 21, 2011
  5. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    Time to ignore the wife, buy the Optima!
    When you don't break down, she won't even know to thank you....
     
    #5 KK6PD, Dec 21, 2011
  6. iamsaws

    iamsaws New Member

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    She somehow becomes a car expert when it comes to spending money.

    Thanks!
     
    #6 iamsaws, Dec 21, 2011
  7. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    #7 KK6PD, Dec 21, 2011
  8. iamsaws

    iamsaws New Member

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    thanks for the advice. @KK6Dp the link doesn't work.
    I have a 2007 with smart entry. So the battery I need is a
    Optima D51 with the conversion kit?
     
    #8 iamsaws, Dec 21, 2011
  9. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #9 cwerdna, Dec 21, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  10. ryogajyc

    ryogajyc Active Member

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    #10 ryogajyc, Dec 21, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  11. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    Yeah what those guys said!!
    Link fixed to thread!
     
    #11 KK6PD, Dec 21, 2011
  12. iamsaws

    iamsaws New Member

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    thanks everyone I ordered one from Elearnaid. seemed like best deal on the net.

    $6.54 cheaper than OEM from toyota
     
    #12 iamsaws, Dec 21, 2011
  13. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    My (perhaps confused) understanding is that barring driving your Prius under a cement mixer, badly jumpstarting the 12 volt battery is the most expensive way to break your Prius.

    Replacing the Inverter is over $1000 more than replacing the HV battery, twice as much as replacing the engine, and about the same as replacing the transaxle. All you have to do is mix up the jumper cables.

    You should always replace the 12 volt battery before it needs jumped twice.

    If you are as paranoid as I am, you will own the jumper cables I do

    http://www.amazon.com/Michelin-5100-Jumper-Cables-Protection/dp/B002RRZX06
     
    #13 JimboPalmer, Dec 21, 2011
  14. Codyroo

    Codyroo Senior Member

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    #14 Codyroo, Dec 21, 2011
  15. ryogajyc

    ryogajyc Active Member

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    #15 ryogajyc, Dec 21, 2011
  16. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

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    Jimbo, what happens if the smart cables are hooked up backwards?
     
    #16 kenmce, Dec 26, 2011
  17. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    With those particular cables, what does "backwards" mean?
     
    #17 fuzzy1, Dec 26, 2011
  18. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Not much meaning as the cables "auto-adjust" polarity. Their only problem may be that the clamps may be too big to attach to the jump point under the hood.

    JeffD
     
    #18 jdenenberg, Dec 26, 2011
  19. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    The cables are not color coded, as there is no backwards.

    While I have you here, never jumpstart another vehicle from a Prius. (at most, charge while it is off and disconnect the Prius before attempting to start the dead vehicle)
     
    #19 JimboPalmer, Dec 26, 2011
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