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Gen 4 12 Volt battery.

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Technical Discussion' started by padroo, Feb 13, 2018.

  1. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    I know the 12V Battery has been discussed before but this thread I don't want to talk about problems that peoples battery have had but what is a suitable replacement assuming you don't want to go to Toyota to pay their ransom.

    From what I have found it looks like the battery out of a Chevrolet Spark will fit and work.
    Here is some information/

    BCI Group Size: 140R battery 13-17 Chevrolet Spark

    ACDelco® LN1AGM - Professional™ Battery

    Toyota did it to us again by installing a non standard battery.

    A group 21 is a close match also and NAPA has a battery that they say is a direct fit.

    Battery - NAPA THE LEGEND - Professional - OE Exact Fit 12 Volts Group 140R 445 CCA Top Post

    https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBP75140R

    The information I have says my 2016 Prius has a conventional lead acid battery and not the AGM battery other years have had. There is no vent feature because it is under the hood.
     
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  2. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    A "conventional" wet cell battery does vent, usually directly through a baffled cap where water is added.

    An AGM still is a better choice for a replacement........unless maybe you just want to get it ready for a quick sale.

    An OEM conventional wet cell can be replaced with anything that fits the available space and has a similar Amp-Hour capacity. In a pinch, even something smaller with less capacity.

    IF......your '16 already needs a battery, that should be a good clue that a conventional wet cell type will not last as long as an AGM in similar circumstances.
     
    #2 Sam Spade, Feb 13, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2018
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what is toyota's list price on the oem? i thought they bragged about moving it under the hood to make the size more conventional.
     
  4. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    No my '16 only has 1400 miles on it. 12 volt batteries have been such a big issue this winter I was just curious what was out there.
    I am not partial to AGM or a conventional lead acid battery but I am partial to my money.

    When they moved it under the hood didn't really make much difference in some ways, they used another odd ball size battery that so far I can't find in any of the size groups. They want you to buy their battery.
    I had a Mercury one time that came with TRX tires and wheels. It was an oddball size rim and you could only put a specific tire on that rim unless you changed the whole wheel. Moral of the story, Toyota doesn't play well with others.

    I always like more than one option.

    I am open to opinions on these batteries as suitable replacements. I have not tried either one so it isn't a done deal.
     
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  5. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I remember seeing it met some Japanese standard but most of their sales are outside Japan.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I don't see any hold-down brackets, not conventional ones the kind that can adjust for height. And there's a ledge along the right side, and the posts are recessed in pockets.

    Visual aid, a pic I snapped at our dealership. Wish I done better with the exposure, the label is blown-out:

    upload_2018-2-13_13-52-46.png

    When you enter 2016 Toyota Prius it says it's not compatible, but that could be shortcoming of their website? It certainly looks very similar.

    The AC Delco was mentioned by @Elektroingenieur I believe, which probably means you can take it to the bank, lol.

    I think this thread should be pinned btw.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Feb 13, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2018
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  7. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Looks similar to the Chevy Spark Battery. I don't know why the area is raised on both of them.

    It is held down at the bottom with the little ledge that stick out.


    ACDelco® LN1AGM - Professional™ Battery

    Another thing I learned when you talk about "Group Size", this is a North American thing and even though it says international I don't thing it really is. It doesn't look like the Japanese follow this protocol.

    What are Battery Group Numbers? - UPS Battery Center
     
    #7 padroo, Feb 13, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2018
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    confound them!:mad:
     
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  9. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Has your battery shown signs of failing? I would have thought it would last a long time, seeing it isn't required for cold-cranking etc.
     
  10. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I note the highish amp hours and lowish Cold Cranking Amps in the above pic. I think that would a dependable combo. I am clueless but heard hear that the higher the CCA, the more the reliance on thinner/more plates, which compromises amp hours and durability?

    Like doing tax returns, start the research early. (y)
     
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    200 bucks? scammed again by toyota.
     
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  13. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I'm hoping my 12v lasts the life (for me) of the car. My last 3 cars did.
     
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    mine too, but there have already been some gen 4 replacements. warranty, no doubt.
     
  15. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    No problem with my battery. Even though the car is a 2016 I didn't buy it until Nov of 2017 and only has 1,400 miles on it.
    I have only put gas in it twice. If it were to fail it should be under warranty.
    I was just looking around to see what was available for the future, in another year or two some of these batteries will start to fail.
     
  16. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    My last car, I sold at 4 3/4 yrs, and the battery was still fine. Similarly to yours, it was a late 2010 build, but I bought just before the end of 2011, so the battery was almost 6 years old at that stage.
     
  17. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Average Life of A Car Battery . How Long Does A Car Battery Last ?

    SO, HOW LONG DOES A CAR BATTERY LAST ?

    The average lifespan of a typical car battery ranges from two to five years, with four years being the most common age when the battery starts showing signs of wear down.

    There is a good chance the battery in your new car is a year or two old when you buy the car.
    My 2016 was two years old when I bought it and was sitting on the showroom floor with a dead battery.
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yeah, that's bad. fortunately, all three of my pri were fresh off the boat. unfortunately, i could have purchased a lot of 12v batteries for the extra i paid for fresh off the boat cars.:cool:
     
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  19. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    I lost a 3 year old battery for my whole house generator last summer. It was just barely over the three year replacement period by days and it failed. It was a Die Hard from Sam's Club.

    My 2006 Dodge Dakota has it's original Mopar battery. You loose on one end and make out on the other.
     
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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agreed. my 2004 generator battery, and 2005 dakota battery are still going. the generator has an automatic float charger, which must be helping.
    hope i didn't jinx myself.:oops:
     
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