Replace Hybrid Battery Questions

Good point, Jeff. Now I'm thinking about buying one and renting it out at $50/pop to the local Prius community. Won't take many recharge sessions to pay it off.

 

$50 what a deal

 

I think you ignore the "stopgap" market of folks out there who may just need their Prius to last 2-4 years longer - rather than 10 - if they determine that the value of the rest of the car would not hold up for 10 years.

 

If you accept Jeff's recommendation to charge every 6 weeks, you might as pay for your own since the costs are equal after a year.

A small group buy might make sense.

I was thinking of 5 years when I went through the arithmetic. And remember, Jeff does not come anywhere near guaranteeing how much longer the battery will last. His seat of the pants estimate is 6 months to 2 years.

 

I posted this as a lark before reading through the entire thread. Yeah...maybe I need to raise that rate given the harness requirement. Still, it sounds like it could be a viable model not to make a profit, but at least to pay off your investment while maintaining your own Prius car/fleet.

 

My take on the grid charger is simple. Most people will change cars in 10 years or less. Some folks hold on slightly longer. So if the car battery would normally last 10 years, it would be silly to buy a new battery.......for the next owner. The grid charger would be something to use before the battery fails. We all know that balancing the cells can prolong their life, how long?? We don't yet know but it'll prolong it. If the investment to prolong the battery for 2 years is simply to start balancing early....around 8 years.....invest on the harness $100, then rebalance yearly, it should get you the couple years needed before you move onto another car.

It's not just the battery in question. As the car ages, everything starts breaking. So although your next new battery will last another 10 years, your car probably won't.

The harness has nothing to do with the rental cost of the charger. It's completely separate and it needs to stay in the car. $50 will not work as a viable business but as a forum enthusiast, it will work for fun

 

He is not home depot, where your AC breaks down and you buy a portable one.....just to return it after 15 days

 

We cannot guarantee ANY results. The amount of improvement depends entirely on the condition of the underlying battery pack itself. For every 100 systems that we sell, around 2-5 customers report to us that their battery is no better off after using our products than before. Based on our discussions with potential customers, we are now at the point that we can predict pretty accurately which customers this failure rate will impact - and we have talked several people OUT of buying our systems because their batteries are too far gone and we did not think our products will help.

The amount of added life our systems will provide depends entirely on how early in the batteries life one starts using the system. In the Honda community we have people installing our systems on brand new aftermarket battery packs. They will likely add at least 5 years to the life of those battery packs. No, I don't have hard data to back that up, because it is so hard to quantify in a tangible way. It would take a several year double blind study of hundreds if not thousands of cars. Maybe someday we will invest in one. Right now we are too busy keeping up with demand .

It is easier to quantify the life extension on failed or near failed battery packs. We have sold several hundred of our systems to people like the OP who waited until the battery is near "failure" or already "failed". In these cases, depending on how close to failure the pack is and whether it is (1) a hard cell failure sich as an internal short or excessive IR cell or (2) out of balance with diminished capacity due to crystal buildup aka memory effect. If (2) then over 95% of the the time our systems can add at least six months to the life of the pack. For people at the six month end of the spectrum the packs is too far gone and they can use it as 'life support' for six months while saving up for a new pack or while determining which modules to replace. In the Prius community people in this boat often identify and replace the failed modules and keep on going with the rest of the pack for minimal cost outlay. This is the low end for people who have badly deteriorated packs.

For people that act at before the first red triangle or IMA light, they can expect to add multiple years to the life of their battery. We have only been selling these formally as a company level for 2.5 years, so the reason I say at least two years is there is no longer term data yet. But for many of our customers who bought them almost two years ago their cars are still running strong. A true limit test on how far our systems can extend the life of a healthy or near healthy batteries is still TBD, but the results are looking very good so far.

Thank you. We were taken advantage of in this exact manner early on. People bought our systems, used them one to pop the battery back to health, then sold their cars. Then they tried to return them to us. We take extremely good care of our customers, but we don't want our customers taking advantage of us. We hand make each of these and would go out of business quickly with this type of vendor abuse strategy. This is why we have a two year transferable warranty but do not accept sales returns.

 

Toyota will sell to shops, even ones without certified Toyota Hybrids technicians. Do you know any mechanic shops or have friends in the business? Ask if they can simply order the part for you, and you pay them. You will also have to pay $1350 core charge, but you'll get it back when you return the old battery. The new Toyota battery is hands down your best option, and not that hard to swap out with basic tools if you watch my video.

 

^^Right on, Paul.
It may even be enough to simply have a Toyota certified tech order the battery, and authorize that a particular person pick it up and pay for it.

I've already decided that if I can possibly manage it, I'm heading your way if I have Prius troubles.

 

^ I've been in touch with an independent garage in Seattle, that can do just that. We're considering them for civic hybrid battery replacement through ReInvolt, a few years back. They were recommended by RV, who would ship direct to them, and they in turn would ship back the core.

 

That is scary! I hope the dealers and Toyota do not shut off the supply of new batteries to the DIY public.

No one has mentioned a junk yard battery in this thread. I did a quick search on car-part.com by distance from zip code 70769, Praieville, LA. The results make me glad I live in the frozen north! There are not too many to choose from and they are expensive. Most yards want your old battery back as a core. Counselman Automotive Recycling of Mobile has a battery listed as a core with no price given. They are 171 miles from you. This could be just what you need to fix your car cheaply! Between the two batteries you should be able to come up with a matched set of 28 modules. When buying a junk yard core I first do a quick voltage test. On a Gen II battery this can be done with the small cover removed from the relays. Test between the empty safety plug and the battery side of the relay. The pack is split with 9 modules on one side and 19 on the other. A good battery would have least 63 and 133 volts on each side. That is based on 7 volts per module. If the core voltage is close to that it most likely has modules that are usable.

When you get your Mini VCI cable you should do a charge and discharge test while looking at the live battery data. The weak module pairs will stand out with wide voltage swings.

Yes and No. I would say it is more accurate that a bad module will self discharge over time. I have had Gen I modules that sat for years and held at over 7 volts. Other modules can go right down to zero volts just from sitting. I do not bother with modules that fall below 7 volts from sitting. A EE friend did a bunch of capacity testing and felt that the limit could be lowered to 6.5 volts. We both found that modules that dropped below 6.5 volts just from sitting could not be recovered.

 

Paul,
I've spoken with several dealers that refuse to sell them to anyone other than Toyota Techs.

I even had to get a "reference" from my local dealer in order to buy one at a different dealer.

And sidenote, if people still want to seriously talk about charger "rental", call me and we can discuss.

(edited because inadvertently posted before was done adding info)

 

Mike,

Try Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market. There are 14 used batteries within 400 miles from you. The closest is at LKQ Gulf Coast USA-LA(Livingston) 14 miles from Praieville, LA. They want $1005.09 and most likely your core also. I do not think that is a good value. $200 to $300 for the core in Mobile could be all you need to get your car running. Austin Used Auto Parts USA-TX(Austin) has a battery listed for $600. That could be a good value if you get to keep your core. Austin is a bit far at 400 miles from you.

Brad


Description
Part
Grade
Stock#
US
Price
Dealer Info
Dist
mile
2005
Battery
Toyota Prius
(HYBRID BATTERY PKG)
B
$C38268
$1005.09
LKQ Gulf Coast USA-LA(Livingston) E-mail 1-800-321-3209 1-225-686-3733
14

2008
Battery
Toyota Prius
4DR,1.5,CVT,SELL AS CORE
C
1E1262
$Call
Counselman Automotive Recycling of Mobile USA-AL(Mobile) Request_Quote 1-877-330-2720/1-251-330-2700 Request_Insurance_Quote
171

2005
Battery
Toyota Prius
01-05,HYB BATT,G928047100
18421
$Call
Manuel's Used Auto Parts USA-TX(Pasadena) E-mail 1-800-435-5748
255

2007
Battery
Toyota Prius
12-06,HYB BATTERY
18617
$Call
Manuel's Used Auto Parts USA-TX(Pasadena) E-mail 1-800-435-5748
255

2006
Battery
Toyota Prius
11-05,HYBRID-BATTERY
B
988817
$750
Atlas Foreign Used Auto Parts USA-TX(Pasadena) Request_Quote 1-800-801-0297 Request_Insurance_Quote
257

2008
Battery
Toyota Prius
HTCHBK,HYB,BATTERY
028864
$Call
Manuel's Used Auto Parts #2 USA-TX(Houston) E-mail 1-800-778-5071
267

2009
Battery
Toyota Prius
NEW, SPECIAL ORDER
600N
$2250
Big Leroy's Auto Parts - KOLT USA-TX(Houston) Request_Quote 1-800-288-6725 Request_Insurance_Quote
272

2009
Battery
Toyota Prius
(hybrid battery) BRAND NEW 3 YEAR WARRANTY $1000 CORE FEE
A
DP1356
$1856
AA Auto USA-AR(North-Little Rock) Request_Quote 1-800-336-2231 Request_Insurance_Quote
315

2007
Battery
Toyota Prius
(HYBRID BATTERY PKG)
B
$DZ800
$1130.09
LKQ Birmingham USA-AL(Birmingham) E-mail 1-800-321-3209
330

2006
Battery
Toyota Prius
(HYBRID BATTERY PKG)
B
$M00430
$1105.13
LKQ Preferred USA-AR(Conway) E-mail 1-800-233-3513
340

2008
Battery
Toyota Prius
(HYBRID BATTERY PKG)
B
$PF716
$1105.13
LKQ Preferred USA-AR(Conway) E-mail 1-800-233-3513
340

2009
Battery
Toyota Prius
NEW IN THE BOX, EXCHANGE REQUIRED
A
00103
$1500
Luxury Auto Parts USA-AL(Lincoln) Request_Quote 1-205-763-1084 1-888-LUXPART Request_Insurance_Quote
364

2005
Battery
Toyota Prius
GOOD
AA1522
$1200
Reyes Auto Parts #2 USA-TX(Dallas) Request_Quote 972-557-4700 / 972-557-4701 Request_Insurance_Quote
376

2005
Battery
Toyota Prius
COMPLETE ASSY-56K
A
J1215100
$1200
Hawn FreeWay Auto Salvage USA-TX(Dallas) Request_Quote 866-969-9971 / 972-286-9971 Request_Insurance_Quote
376

2008
Battery
Toyota Prius
GREAT BATTERY
A
B16463
$1000
Southern Pik a Part Columbus USA-GA(Columbus) Request_Quote 706-689-1313 / 877-601-7727 Request_Insurance_Quote


382
2008
Battery
Toyota Prius
011504
$1500
Alamo Truck and Auto Parts USA-TX(Grand-Prairie) E-mail 1-972-642-9999 Request_Insurance_Quote
394

2007
Battery
Toyota Prius
(hybrid battery)
$900
Chaparral Auto Parts, Inc. USA-TX(Frisco) E-mail 1-800-854-0474
397

2005
Battery
Toyota Prius
292
$600
Austin Used Auto Parts USA-TX(Austin) Request_Quote 512.926.2002 Request_Insurance_Quote
398

 

$1300 for an installed good rebuilt is a much better value than $1000 for a junk yard battery. The installation alone is worth the price difference. I always look at junk yard batteries as just as good as your original battery was the day BEFORE your dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. You will get a better battery and warranty from Hometown Hybrids than a junk yard can provide. Also dealing with a local company is a huge plus. I believe the future of battery rebuilding will be small local companies with mobile installation. Shipping batteries and cores is just too expensive. If you decide to go the DIY route you could save about $1000. It is up to you what your time is worth and how comfortable you are playing with high voltage.

Brad

 

Looks like they are not in Alabama. Anyone know anyone to put one in here? (birmingham area) Dorman has a good rep I guess, but I still would have to find someone to install it.

Excellent advice....So while I would like to find someone to install a Dorman battery with a 3 yr warranty I don't know who in Birmingham AL can install it for me. Dorman apparently cant tell me