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Question re: 12-volt battery, please?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Julia2001, Aug 14, 2012.

  1. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    Save your money, You don't need it! Julia2001:)
     
  2. Julia2001

    Julia2001 Member

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    Harold! :confused: <---- That's the confused face.

    :)
     
  3. Julia2001

    Julia2001 Member

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    Harold, I'm afraid of getting stranded with a dead battery all because I don't drive my car on enough long trips. And I know there's no way I will leave my car in "Ready" mode all night long a couple of times a month to charge up my 12V. I just never realized that I would need something to keep my 12V battery healthy.
     
  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    While I too, feel you will not need it when the battery is new, it will be handy as it ages, also when folks as you for a jump start (which you should never do in a Prius) you can loan them that.
     
  5. Julia2001

    Julia2001 Member

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    Thank you, Jimbo.

    Out of curiosity, wouldn't that take a really long time to jump start a car?
     
  6. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    Only takes a min. The jump points are under the front hood. Check your manual for how to jump start. Very simple procedure. H
     
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    We've been discussing Julia's potential purchase of many different items. The battery charger that Julia is thinking about buying is not suitable for a jumpstart.
     
  8. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    Yes I realize that Patrick. Jump is easy is all I am pointing out. H
     
  9. Julia2001

    Julia2001 Member

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    I understand about the jump start of the Prius. Thank you.

    I was confused by the suggestion that if I had possession of a unit such as that recommended by Patrick, it would also be useful to loan to someone else to jump start their vehicle. I didn't think these units were capable of that which is why I was seeking clarification of that issue.

    Thanks all, very much. I appreciate the education I am receiving here so much. Sorry I have been so confused about the appropriate unit for the purpose of keeping my 12V healthy. This was all news to me and I have really appreciated your patience very much.

    Julia
     
  10. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Wow, after reading all these posts, I don't know how anyone is not confused. I hope you can weed through all of this Julia. Anyway, I have an easy question. Did you ever get your key on your new fob cut? I just wanted to find out if Wal Mart in your area did that like mine did.
     
  11. Julia2001

    Julia2001 Member

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    usnavystgc! Great to hear from you.

    I have not gotten around to having the steel key cut, but I was successful in chicken dancing myself to a fully functional brand spanking new SKS key fob!

    I will let you know about the key.

    Julia
     
  12. Julia2001

    Julia2001 Member

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    So -- with regard to the battery issue (although I am not actually HAVING battery issues - I just want to prevent them)...I have decided not to get a battery charger and not to get a battery minder, but instead to simply buy a brand new Yellow Optima battery and install that for now. I may end up purchasing a charger like the Diehard at some point to keep my new battery nicely topped off, but for right now it would seem prudent to replace the battery since it is the original.

    Wish me luck in getting the thing installed! I bought the yellow Optima from my local Advanced Auto with a discount of 15% today off the 199.99 retail price. So -- for 169.99 and probably a lot of hard work figuring out how to get it installed, I will have a brand new battery prior to winter, and hopefully that will leave me in a good situation for some time.

    I appreciate all the things I've learn in this thread, including the value of charging, minding, leaving the car on in "Ready" mode to charge the 12V, and how to check the health of my battery.

    I will try to remember to report back if I can successfully----wait-----I mean WHEN I successfully install the new battery.

    Thank you all for your patience, kindness and guidance.

    Julia
     
  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hi Julia,

    I agree that it is prudent to replace the 12V battery before the start of the winter season.

    I suggest that you should purchase a charger sooner vs. later, and make sure the new battery is fully-charged before you install it. Some members have found that their new battery is somewhat discharged, perhaps because it has been sitting around for several months in a central warehouse, on the store shelf, etc.

    Especially in your case, where the car is driven a very small number of miles annually, it would be good to get the new battery off to a good start.

    Good luck with your install.
     
  14. Julia2001

    Julia2001 Member

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    Thanks, Patrick. Can't the store check the voltage for me when I pick up the battery? And if it's not up to full voltage capacity can't they charge it there? I am planning on asking this of them tomorrow morning.

    Meanwhile, I was hoping now that I will have a new battery I wouldn't have to worry so much about buying a charger to keep it charged!
     
  15. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    I have been quiet through this string. I think you are on the right track Julia. Save yourself some grief and self labor. Take your "new" yellow top to a local mechanic that you trust and pay him to install it. Any decent mechanic can do the job. I say this because the battery is heavy. It is because of the weight issue I am saying this. I have no doubt you could do the work, but I think you would find that in the end you will agree that the battery is just heavy.

    Ron (dorunron)
     
  16. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    That is a reasonable request. A new 12V AGM battery should measure 12.9V out of the box.
     
  17. Julia2001

    Julia2001 Member

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    Yikes! That's the first I hear of this. How heavy are we talking here?

    At Advanced Auto they do change batteries, however I keep reading how we shouldn't trust our Prius vehicles to just anyone so I wasn't going to ask them.
     
  18. Julia2001

    Julia2001 Member

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    Thank you, Sir.
     
  19. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    I believe you will find that the battery will be heavier than the tires on your car.

    According to Buy Optima Batteries BATTERY-YELTOP OPT DS46B24R at Advance Auto Parts the weight is 26 lbs.

    Bare in mind that you will have to lift that battery up over the rear hatch and lower it down into the battery box after you have removed the old battery.

    Ron (dorunron)
     
  20. Julia2001

    Julia2001 Member

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    Thank you very much, Don. I really appreciate this information. I can lift the 26 pound battery. I'm small but I'm not old. ;)

    I am frankly more concerned about the bolts!

    Thanks very much again.

    Julia