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Is 12 Volt Gen 4 Battery Made of Gold?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by ATHiker, Jan 23, 2019.

  1. ATHiker

    ATHiker Senior Member

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    Two weeks ago the 12 volt battery on my wife’s 2010 died. It was cold and I was feeling flush, so I had the local shop put in a new one for a total cost of $212. Since I jumpstarted the car myself, I got a special waiver to keep my man card.

    Today I went to the dealer for an oil change and engine coolant change for my 2016 , and thought I might get a new 12 volt for my own car. I was told I needed on previously, but who knows?

    $362 + 1 hour labor

    I couldn’t do that it it were Christmas Eve, and they offered to stay late to help me out.

    Pep Boys?

    [Moderator note: There is another discussion about the 12v battery that also has a lot of really good information. Merging the two would be pretty much impossible, so here is a link:
    Gen 4 12 Volt battery. | PriusChat]
     
    #1 ATHiker, Jan 23, 2019
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 27, 2019
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    There's a reverse-alchemy function built in. It turns to lead right after you buy it.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    So that's what, maybe $462?

    Unfortunately they're not showing anything yet. But @Elektroingenieur has been researching, found some cheaper options.

    I found this, looking through my notes, very likely from @Elektroingenieur :

    Fourth gen (2016 on) Prius replacement battery:
    https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBP75140R
    Battery - NAPA THE LEGEND - Professional - OE Exact Fit 12 Volts Group 140R 445 CCA Top Post
    Part #: BAT 75140R
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Jan 23, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2019
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  4. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    The 140R battery is the same as an H4DL from AutoZone as determined by a BCI cross reference. However, the Gen 4 does not show up on the online cataloging as of yet.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    why would you need a new 12v on a 2 year old car?
     
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  6. ATHiker

    ATHiker Senior Member

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    Car is three years old and has 100,000 miles.

    When it was in for recall and service a few weeks ago, dealer said battery tested low and needed replacement. If got same story today I would have trusted that assement. Bad idea? Starts fine.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can't say without testing, and ii don't know what is harder on it, mileage or years.

    seems to me 33k/year should keep it well charged, but who knows. take it by an auto parts store. they will put a load test on it and give you a print out.

    until more alternative batteries come out, like they did on ben 2 and 3, i would keep it going as long as possible.
    maybe invest in a maintainer, or jump starter
     
  8. booke02

    booke02 Active Member

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    My understanding that there is nothing special about the Gen 4 12V battery. I had an issue with mine - faulty battery - and Toyota dealer (who I have worked with for many years, and trust) replaced it with a standard off-the-shelf battery.

    The battery has an easy life as it only powers the electronics - it is not used to start the car - so I would guess that its life is more a matter of age rather than mileage. I would suspect that high-mileage is good for it, and would spend more time in a high-charge state.
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Get a Solar BA5 and check it out for yourself.
     
  10. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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  11. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    By WHO.....and why ?? (I see that's been answered. Never mind.)

    IF.....there are no indications that the battery is bad, then it probably isn't.

    But finding a source for a new one now isn't a bad idea.
     
  12. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    If that means a conventional wet cell type, be sure to check the "water" level occasionally.
     
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  13. David E. Edwards

    David E. Edwards Junior Member

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    The battery size for Gen 4 is 140R. Lowe's has that size battery for about $75 and it is in the lawn equiptment department.
     
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    nice, can't beat that. and now that its under the hood, we don't have to worry about safety
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'm sceptical you can get a viable battery at Lowes for $75. Same physical dimensions? Link?
     
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    does group 140R represent physical size, terminal post diameter and orientation, as well as cca?
     
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    looking up the definition, it is actual physical measurements and polarity

    i would give one a shot, with regular voltage testing to see how it is holding up

    can't be much worse than whatever toyota seems to be sticking in them
     
  18. booke02

    booke02 Active Member

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    Can you still buy wet cells batteries that you have to top up? No, it was a sealed type.
     
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    They're "sealed" but still that's just sticker-style seals, that can be peeled off, there's removable caps under (hopefully...), and if you see the level dropping in one or more cells I would think it'd be worthwhile to top them up, with distilled water.
     
  20. ATHiker

    ATHiker Senior Member

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    So I called the dealer where I bought the car and asked for the parts department.

    He said he needed my VIN number, so I had to call him back

    Part #2880037130

    $970.89

    I challenged him on this to make sure we were on the same page. After a bit of back and forth, there is no question in my mind that he believed that information to be correct for the 12 volt batter under my hood that looks like, well, a regular old car battery. Said his wholesale price was $800-something.

    Called another dealer who seemed confused and didn’t ask for my VIN but he said the price was $173
     
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