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Preemptively replace 12V battery?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by itengineer, Jan 7, 2019.

  1. itengineer

    itengineer Member

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    Gang-

    I have a 2011 Prius.
    Not had any issues despite living in Minnesota (cold weather) with regard to starting the car etc.

    Should I preemptively replace 12V battery since it has been approx 8 years ?
     
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    You could.

    If you want to judge more wisely, just check the 12 volt battery before starting some morning: if it shows under 12, replace it.

    There are more elaborate load tests possible, but the Prius does not usually have a high load. One way to impose some load is to leave your foot off the brake and push Power twice, that should activate everything electrical, except the power electronics.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Heck, eight years: I would. It's somewhat comparable to 10 year old tires with plenty of tread: yes, but...

    If you want to do a decent assessment of it's health, look into Solar BA5 or comparable. They're a new generation of automotive battery testers.

    I start window shopping around the 5 year mark, replace soon thereafter, just as a matter of course.
     
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  4. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    I would do to age
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    or carry a jump pack. handy to have, and you may save the cost with a few more years of your oems battery.
    plus, better for the environment
     
  6. itengineer

    itengineer Member

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    thanks all - any recommendations on which battery to buy?
    dealership says $202 installed + tax
    Wondering if the Bosch (from Pep Boys) is a better buy OR something else ?
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    200 hundred bucks is CHEAP for a dealer.

    you can probably find something for $150., but when they tell you free install, then they see where it is, they usually balk
     
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  8. itengineer

    itengineer Member

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    Good idea but I have had bad luck with the Li ion jump starter
    My other car (ICE) battery failed at 5 years.
    I attempted to use the Li ion battery but it failed to start the car.
    This was a V6 and apparently read that jump starter do not work on V6.
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you do have to keep them charged. but the prius battery only fires the computers and relays, so it doesn't take much
     
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  10. itengineer

    itengineer Member

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    great- I will try to run with the jump starter for some time
     
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  11. Pluggo

    Pluggo Senior Member

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    The problem with most jump-starters is that they are lead-acid batteries just like a car battery, only smaller, maybe half the size or less. They can boost a marginally weak battery, but not a dead one. And like most car batteries, they're usually going to be toast in a few short years, use them or not. A few ridiculously small lithium-ion jump-starters are beginning to show up now. Only time will tell if they're going to be any good.
     
  12. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    The fact that you are thinking about your 12 V battery I would replace it unless I have another car I could drive and really don't depend on this one.

    A few of the repair videos I watch use Lion jump packs and they always work for them. You get what you pay for, they are not all created equal.
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Install is not that hard. Unusual, but not really more difficult, and Prius have been around for a while.

    I keep buying JNC660: one for myself, and two for our kids. They have an AGM battery, need a top-up every 3 months or so. You just plug it into a simple 12 volt extension cord to household current, and there's an internal automatic charger with indicator lights, for charging and done. The clore website allows you to set up a tri-monthly email reminder to charge them.

    I've mainly have been jumpstarting our daughter's V6 Pilot, no problems. For XMas I got her the latest one, so I'm outa a job.
     
  14. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    the dealer's battery is good and has a 84 month warranty (prorated).

    This AC Delco is the cheapest I know of: www.amazon.com/dp/B010GKJ8F6
     
    #14 JimboPalmer, Jan 7, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2019
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  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah, and @bisco chimed in on this too: $202 plus tax (installed), through dealership, is pretty good price.

    Pep Boys during their sales will do the Bosch (installed) for $150~160 plus tax, but dealership battery is debatably worth the extra.

    For a counterpoint, when I checked in late summer 3 years back, the discounted price for the battery through dealership was $273 (no install). Several dealerships contacted, same story. I dread to think what it is now. Cheapest is a comparable battery through Canadian Tire, and last time I checked it was a bit over $200.

    Addendum: oy, $245 now. :cry:

    Automotive | Canadian Tire
     
    #15 Mendel Leisk, Jan 7, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2019
  16. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I like the Toyota battery. It's what I got when I needed one. You can find cheaper, but I doubt yo'll find better. Look how long your original is lasting. And you got a good price even if you need to instal it yourself.
     
  17. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    I wouldn’t. Push it to 9 years for bragging rights in here.
     
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  18. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    There’s a test procedure that is not difficult to follow if you have a multimeter, and possibly a charger.

    After driving/running engine shut car off. Turn on high beams for 30 secs to remove surface charge. Measure voltage at battery terminals: 12.5 V or higher and battery is still good. 11.0 to 12.5 V recharge. Below 11.0 V replace.

    I know there’s debate on the proper amperage rating of the charger. But follow the suggested maximum charging rate that is listed on the battery. Charging follows V=IR. To get a faster rate the charger has to load the battery with a higher voltage. If you don’t follow as listed (it’s max rate is actually on a sticker on the original battery), you may have a false test result. I tried it....
     
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  19. eliteconcept

    eliteconcept 700 mile club, top tank mpg 69.5

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    8 years? yep i'd be replacing it if I were you. Esp living in MN.
     
  20. Pinoyrious

    Pinoyrious Junior Member

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    #20 Pinoyrious, Jan 11, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2019