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Gen 3 battery bridge charger questions

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by vendingtech, Sep 8, 2018.

  1. vendingtech

    vendingtech Member

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    I have a 2012 that I'd like to get a charger for and do some maintenance discharge/recharges to balance out my pack.

    What is the most cost effective unit i can purchase that users here recommend and use that will do just that.

    Appreciate reading what others are using to do so. I will want to charge with the battery still in the car.

    Thanks!


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  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I use the Hybrid Automotive Prolong setup and share that with 2 other members in my geographic area:).

    Once you have the harness installed, the pack can be reconditioned in the car;).

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
  3. vendingtech

    vendingtech Member

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    Is there a place better than others to purchase that. Unfortunately I'll be buying on my own and will be eating the costs in full so want best product for the price.

    Also how does that rate vs the unit sold by priuschat store?

    Thanks

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  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    It’s made by the same company;).

    Go to their website for more info:

    http://www.hybridautomotive.com

    I originally bought it all myself for our 2010 when it had 149 k miles on it. Since I did that, I found other members around me that don’t mind sharing:).

    Good luck (y).
     
  5. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    If you are handy and technically savvy you can build one yourself from power supplies and some wiring.

    Won't be as safe or easy to use or as user friendly but would be less expensive.
     
  6. vendingtech

    vendingtech Member

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    It looks like there is a cable you install perm to your battery and fan to a plug that plugs into this box. If I was to find others with this need. You just need that cable for their car and your plug and ply between cars right. And how well does the light bulb battery depleater work and does it work with normal halagen house bulbs as no one has old school incadecent bulbs now.

    Thanks!

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  7. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Each car needs the cable, then it’s plug and play :).

    I don’t have the light bulb version (I have the Intelligent Discharger that you set and forget), so not sure. @jerrymildred or @edthefox5 do and might have an answer ;).

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
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  8. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    The bulb discharger works fine, but you really have to keep an eye on it. The directions are configured for incandescent bulbs. I suppose you could use something else, but you'd have to measure the resistance of the specified bulbs for the various stages and find something that has the same resistance and will dissipate the heat without melting or burning out. I imagine you could build something out of power resistors and make just one unit that you could switch resistors with a selector switch.
     
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  9. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Or just buy the Intelligent Discharger that already has all of that worked out(y).
     
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  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I have the light bulb discharger. I still see Incandescent bulbs every where especially floods.

    Works fine. If you catch the battery early enough before it’s too deteriorated you can do an abbreviated discharge. I did thAt more than a year ago and battery still doing really well.
     
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  11. vendingtech

    vendingtech Member

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    I decided to spend the extra and go with Prolong Deluxe Reconditioning Package

    PDR-P3-G

    $ 668.00

    It's a pile of cash but looks like the best option.

    Thanks for your recommendations!


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  12. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Good.

    When I bought mine that’s all they had available was the light bulb gimmick.

    If your battery has not thrown any codes it will repond very nicely to a rejuvenation.

    My first and only discharge was done completely wrong and had a fantastic result. After a 15 hour charge I used two 100 watt bulbs and drained it down using these to 134 volts. Than changed to the 25 watt bulbs
    And drained it down to 82 volt and then stopped discharging. No full charge in between. Then did a full 18 hour charge at the 82 volt mark and finished.

    It worked really good. Battery has been almost perfect since. Much more benign discharge than going much lower than 82 volts discharge.
     
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  13. vendingtech

    vendingtech Member

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    Luckily I don't have any codes but found it's been replaced at one point with a 2011 battery (wrecking yard paint pen on the casing) so not taking any chances. Cells look good with Torque. Now just need to find a few prius friends to help me pay the 700 bucks..... At least I can sort out the pack and if needed rebalance if I have to replace cells.

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  14. vendingtech

    vendingtech Member

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    So I received my equipment today. Anyone have best usage practice for getting beat results with this setup out of your pack. I purchased both the charger and the discharger.

    Thanks!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  15. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Folow instructions on hybrid automotive site.
     
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  16. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    That would require too much energy, hand feeding here is preferred.
     
  17. vendingtech

    vendingtech Member

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    Lol the instructions on the site say things like desired setting. But don't recommend what settings etc. I'll update my question once I get the ball rolling on my install. :) Thanks!

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  18. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    If you just got the junkyard battery, I’d start by performing a 2 cycle reconditioning with 134 volts then 84 volts. That should set the pack up for success;).

    Did you confirm all the modules are the same year:whistle:?

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
    #18 Raytheeagle, Sep 12, 2018
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2018
  19. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Yes they do say what settings to use. And it's very specific, not just a recommendation.

    If you're using the light bulb discharger, they are here.
    Prolong Simple Discharger User Guide – Hybrid Automotive
    It tells what voltage to discharge to for each phase and it tells at what voltage to change bulbs.
    Automatic discharger is here.
    Prolong® Battery Discharger User Guide – Hybrid Automotive
    It tells what voltage to discharge to for each phase.
    Charger is here.
    Prolong Grid Charger User Guide – Hybrid Automotive
    It tells normal voltage as well as the voltage you should see once it's balancing the cells.
     
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  20. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Yep.
    As I recalled there was an entire chart.
    Very specific.

    Must be difficult to find on the site I guess.
    Always a challenge to design sites that make all the users needs quickly accessible
     
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