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Fitting mobility 12volt AGM battery.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Britprius, Mar 3, 2013.

  1. DonVentura

    DonVentura SoCal Prius Driver

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  2. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Tried to access that site from the UK and my browser continually times out. Can you ring the company and confirm the vent is present.

    On the batteries I have used and others I have seen in the UK the vent hole is slightly off center near the top edge of the battery on the positive end of the battery. It is smaller than the OEM vent hole, But I found a short piece of screen wash tubing (about 2 inches) fits the vent then pushes into the Prius rubber tube with the angle adapter removed. Occasionally I have come across batteries with a vent on both ends with a plastic plug to block one end off.

    What type of terminals are on this battery are they vertical threaded holes or lugs that protrude above the surface of the battery with holes cross drilled?
    If you cannot locate adapter posts why not use one of the methods in the fitting post, all are easy to do and safe. If I can be of any more help just ask.

    Looking on Ebay US I have seen adapter posts but not sure if they are JIS. If they are the larger posts the lead versions could easily be turned down.

    John (Britprius)
     
  3. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    John,
    When you say adapter posts, are you referring to the typical looking posts that can be screwed into the threaded posts of the Ritar and similar posted batteries? I was wondering about that, if there is such a thing. That would make installation much more appealing to many I think.

    Even the vertical threaded posts like on the Ritar seems to be fairly uncommon for these batteries. A search for the Ritar more often returns replacements with the raised posts with hole that runs across the battery top.

    Are your Ritar batteries perfectly fitted for your wheelchair? I ask because some of the battery sources use a wheelchair brand list to find the compatible batteries. What brands are specifically made for the threaded post that is nearly level with the top of the battery?

    Ok, I see there are adapter kits for this.
    Werker Stud to SAE Terminal Adapter Kit - 3217-0049 - Batteries Plus
     
  4. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    In the UK the threaded hole posts are the more common, but lug type are sold and either can be used as the connecting cables have eyes on the ends.

    The threaded hole type seam safer as there is not so much "live" metalwork sticking up and small plastic caps insulate and protect them easily. This is the case with the Prius if the positive clamp is removed and the remaining stub can be directly bolted down and the red protective cover put back in place.

    Threaded adapter posts for both imperial and JIS are available in the UK and searching on Ebay US found at leased four companies selling these but could not tell if they were JIS or not. Some were hollow brass some were solid lead and as I said in my previous post the lead ones if the wrong size could easily be turned down.

    Below are some I found on Ebay and Amazon.

    XS Power 580 Pair of 12 Volt Short Brass Car Battery Terminal Post Adapters M6

    Pico 0893PT Side Mount Battery to Post Adapter 1 Set per Package

    M6 to SAE Top Post Battery Terminal Adapter (For Deka, Odyssey, Etc Batteries)

    Boss BASTC MTX-STW Side To Top Mount Battery Posts

    JEGS Performance Products 10322 Negative Side Post Adapte

    Edit, Looking at the above you can see how easy it would be to convert your old OEM battery posts.

    John (Britprius)
     
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  5. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    Yes I see now the many conversion kits for threaded holes to posts for use by the OEM cables. The bigger problem seems to be that most of these batteries have neither the posts or the threaded holes but the flag type connectors. I guess there are conversion kits for those too but they also add to the overall height. That's why I was thinking of searching for batteries based on the branded applications that require the threaded holes.

    Also, of the ones I've seen, they don't seem to have the vent tube opening. I assume the vent tube is not a common element of these batteries. It would be great if we could locate a half dozen of these batteries that are true replacements, albeit with a connection conversion. When I search for the Ritar I get replacements for the Ritar but few have threaded holes and indicate the installation of a vent tube. But I continue to look.
     
  6. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The Ritar battery I have used and many other manufacturers batteries I have seen do not seem to advertise that they have a vent.

    The strange thing is they are all capable of venting and have pressure relief valves to allow for this in the eventuality of over charge ect.

    Again they are all of similar construction and vent into a manifold along the top of the battery so there has to be an exhaust point somewhere along the top or the batteries would blow up like a balloon.

    When I can get to it "we have heavy snow here again, see my avatar" I will take out my battery and post a picture of said vent and post it. It is not immediately noticeable.

    The batteries with lugs above the surface of the battery should be easy to accommodate by simply replacing the clamp bolt with a longer one for both terminals and passing it through the lug. I would think the red terminal cover is big enough to still fit over. This would not increase the height though this is not a problem as there is plenty of clearance above the terminals.

    John (Britprius)
     
  7. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    Yes, I like your new avatar. I have seen the vent points on the top of some but wondered if a tube could be inserted. So is there any substantial difference in the construction between these AGM vented batteries? They seem to be very similar. If so, then there are quite a few reasonably priced replacements for this 12v use in the Prius between $60 - $150 depending on 35 - 55 amps, plus the cost of the connector conversion. It's mostly a matter of finding the right dimension size I guess.
     
  8. DonVentura

    DonVentura SoCal Prius Driver

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  9. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    But they must be VRLA (valve-regulated lead–acid battery) batteries and as such they must have a valve outlet to release the gas pressure as John has stated. Or was there simply no observable opening that may be suitable for a vent application?
     
  10. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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  11. DonVentura

    DonVentura SoCal Prius Driver

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    Steve Lee you are correct, there is no observable opening for a vent tube.
    ls40095 let us know how that PowerSonic works for you.
     
  12. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    So this raises the question then of just how important is it to have a vent tube when the case is sealed and is spill proof construction. If it was intended by Toyota for the OEM battery, does that make it necessary of all AGM sealed construction batteries? Or is that item specifically for that battery and/or as a worst case scenario ultra-safety feature that is not likely to be needed? I'm just not that familiar with the construction of the battery or the likely need for a vent in a sealed battery. I originally thought it would be necessary in this application but many of these sealed deep discharge batteries are made for indoor use and have no vent. Is a sealed battery inherently unsafe because it has no vent? I'm just trying to talk/think this through.
     
  13. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The construction of both types of battery is exactly the same, the difference is in the design of the central lid on the top of the battery.

    The type of battery with no vent tube vents to the outside through two small holes at either end of the lid. They usually look like screw drive slots for prizing off the lid.

    The battery with a vent hole in the end of the battery has a similar lid either with the or without the slots but the lid is taped over to seal it "like the OEM". Batteries without a vent hole can easily be modified by removing the lid and drilling a small hole in an area away from the rubber valve caps in the trough under the lid, to accept a right angle screen wash tube fitting. It is this trough area or manifold that the battery cells vent into. This fitting should either be a tight fit, glued, or sealed to the lid. The lid is then replaced and sealed down with self adhesive plastic tape (not masking tape or any porous tape).

    I did not include these instructions for a number of reasons.

    Batteries with vents in the UK are readily available, a situation I thought would be the same in the US.
    I do not think people would wish to modify batteries in this way.

    Both battery designs are safe, obviously these batteries are normally charged indoors in mobility applications.

    Venting if at all is minimal, but a cars interior is smaller than the average room. Toyota quite correctly covered all the bases by venting the battery to the outside of the car to cover any possible eventuality. The battery compartment it'self is vented to outside air, so using a battery without an external vent should not pose a problem, but this is up to the individual and not something I am going to advocate.

    John (Britprius)
     
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  14. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    As a side note, when changing over the battery for my friend I noticed the high voltage battery vents partly into the 12 volt battery compartment via a square hole in the underside of the removable part of the ducting.

    John (Britprius)
     
  15. ls40095

    ls40095 Junior Member

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    Sorry for the delay,
    The battery I purchased and pictured on ebay is the same Power Sonic battery I detailed in a prior post. It has post type terminals. I researched the battery on Power Sonics website and saw the vent on top of the battery and thought it looked easy enough to modify. Unfortunately they shipped the battery but with flag terminals and no visible venting valve but I installed it today anyway without any additional hardware. I recently purchased an "04 Nav" California Prius with damage to the passengers side quarter rear. Ive been using a jumper box daily to jump the battery so I can power the car around while repairing for a few days. Upon replacing, I eventually found the battery with a gash the side of a small ax. No spill or decay or gas vapors. While I would never replace my OEM prius battery with a lawn mower or a NON AMG battery like some outlined on other treads, I decided to install the new battery upon further research and I feel Toyota covered any possible liability and also wanted to maximize profitability so they went ahead in designing the tiny vent tube. The battery compartment is also vented to outside air by way of the HV battery ventilation exhaust duct.

    Choose wisely and at your own risk..

    I will keep all posted but I don't foresee any issues for about 4 or 5 years
    Thanks for all the great information





    Power Sonic 12V 35Ah Wheelchair Scooter Battery Replaces 33ah Ritar RA12 33 | eBay
     
  16. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    I think I am comfortable with not having a vent tube in these sealed spill proof AGM mobility batteries, especially since the battery compartment is open to outside air and these batteries were made to include indoor use. I recently realized I am sitting here at my desk with an AGM battery under my desk at my feet in the UPS connected to my computer. It's never caused me a problem.

    Another question that comes to mind then; how about the gel batteries? What might be the pros and cons of using them in this application and are they any better or worse than the AGM batteries.

    Also, can we generally assume the heavier weight of the battery is a result of more or thicker lead plates and active chemical? I've noticed that even in a comparable size 35amp AGM mobility battery it is heavier than the OEM and assume this results in a stronger more long lasting battery. Am I wrong in this assumption?
     
  17. NortTexSalv04Prius

    NortTexSalv04Prius Active Member

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    I have two yellow top Optima 12v battery. One is for a drop in back up. However I do agree with the OP of this thread. I am not a fan of Optima, Interstate, and couple other mfg. Having said that and moving on. I like the idea of a VLRA AGM mobility battery if both size and AH specs can be found.
     
  18. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The basic concept of a lead acid battery "of whatever type" is that it's capacity is in relation to the amount of lead in the battery. This lead is not in the form of normal metallic lead, It is in the form of a red led paste or a gray lead paste the formulas of which I will not go into but they are still basically lead. So your assumption is correct, also the tighter the plates are pact the greater the the ability to withstand vibration and shock. This also reduces the internal resistance of the battery and the amount of discharge current the battery is capable producing.

    These pastes are held in place by lead grids that also act as electrical conductors up to the battery terminals. The thickness of the plates depends upon the designed use for the battery. AGM batteries use liquid acid soaked into the mats between the plates, the liquid content of these mats is reduced by between 2%&5% of the liquid they would normally be capable of holding, hence the name starved lead acid battery, but they are still liquid acid.

    Gel batteries still use the basic principles as liquid batteries but they do have some drawbacks. Charge rates with gel batteries have to be lower than a similar size liquid battery. This is because with a liquid battery any gasses formed at the plates will float up and out of the acid, and in the case of AGM batteries be recombined as water and returned to the mats. Removing the need for topping up with distilled water.

    In a gel gasses formed at the plate remain there not able to move through the gel. This lifts the gel off the plate reducing the area of contact thus reducing the capacity of the battery. This condition generally cannot be reversed. Subjecting the affected cells to a vacuum will remove some gas but is not always effective. They are good at high temperatures "less inclined to dry out".

    John (Britprius)
     
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  19. 2007blueprius

    2007blueprius Member

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    10 hour rate at 55 amps, thats 550 ah, you got me confused
     
  20. 2007blueprius

    2007blueprius Member

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    Ok I started reading through your original post half way throu it, say no more, my suspicions were confirmed, a start type batery, is not even proper for a prius, not sure what toyota was thinking using one as oem, I rigged up one of these scooter bateries in my boys power wheels last year, I charge it with a car charger, couple hours on 10 amp lasts him 2 days of abuse versus the "oem" 8 hours overnight for a half hour of play, replace every spring, than again what would you expect from a motorcycle battery and a phone charger the manufacturer " recomends " as a traction fuel cell. I would have expected more from toyota compared to fisher price, I'm rather impressed with this car othewise and trust me I'm not into it, and the reason I went about it this way with my boys jeep I noticed right away when shopping for a replacement that is the wrong bat to begin with, plus they are expensive too, any who have a look at my other post, I was even debating lithium, to keep up with the times, just looking to get some real numbers , 60 ah sounds good to me.
    I'll see about posting a pic of my handy work, I think one I have in the jeep is flooded type, it has the wrong terminals, and boy are they heavy, the wheels on the jeep are falling apart, well the wife riding it dont help either