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Blue bars for battery going down

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by ItsaMine, Jun 2, 2013.

  1. ItsaMine

    ItsaMine New Member

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    I'm a newbie to this site and have searched the forums regarding the blue bars but can't find specifically what I need answered. I have a 2007 Prius with 101 thousand miles and another blue bar from the top has come down and no matter how much I drive, it doesn't come back up, stays below the two that have "disappeared" or maintains at the two below the top. Does this mean the hybrid batteries are going to need to be replaced soon? How will I know when they need to be replaced? I live in AZ where it's sooo hot in the summer. Need any advice out there please! Ready to go to dealer to see about new batteries, but don't want to spend $3,000!!
     
    #1 ItsaMine, Jun 2, 2013
  2. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Running the AC is necessary to keep you and the HV battery cool in hot weather, but it tends to make the State of Charge (SOC=bars on the MFD) run a bit lower. The main symptom of a weakening HV battery is rapidly changing SOC and higher than normal engine RPM when accelerating. If you want to know the health of your HV battery (its probably fine), get a Prius aware ODB2 tester (Scangauge, Torque - an Android app, or Priidash - Linux/Windows).

    JeffD
     
    #2 jdenenberg, Jun 2, 2013
  3. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    Running 2 blue bars from the top on the highway while running the AC I believe is typical. In town below 42 mph in electric mode you may even see 2 blue bars from the bottom before the ICE kicks in and it starts charging. But you should also see the bars being green, one bar from the top, quite a bit too after coasting to a stop with light pressure on the brake peddle. This is how my 05 functions and I believe this all normal. Your description sounds normal to me. But fast fluctuations from top to bottom and back for no apparent reason, this would be a bad thing.
     
    #3 SteveLee, Jun 2, 2013
  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    You do not want the computers to think the HV Battery is 'full' or you can't do regenerative braking. There has to be room for more electrical charge.

    If you live somewhere there are long steep downhills, you can see a 'full' battery frequently, but if your area is flat, expect to see 2 empty bars at the top. Driving down from Kitt Peak should fill it. kitt peak - Google Maps

    The same A/C that keeps you cool keeps the batteries cool, so do not skimp on A/C.
     
    #4 JimboPalmer, Jun 2, 2013
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