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Prolong for this battery pack, or just wait to replace?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Prieth, May 20, 2019.

  1. Prieth

    Prieth New Member

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    I have a new to me 2010 with 200k, this is my first hybrid. I bought the car prepared to do a traction battery if needed, but have been driving it daily for over 2 weeks with no drivability issues seen. The car shows P0A80 stored. As far as I know this is the original battery.

    Would you invest $700+ in a Prolong system for this pack, or just wait it out and drop the $1,600 for a new pack when the day comes? With the Prolong at nearly half the cost of a new battery I'm questioning if it's worth installing.

    Any other suggestions besides these? Another charger I haven't seen? Something else to keep the car going?

    I'm not up to speed on these batteries yet, but I've attached some screen shots from some testing if any of you would mind taking a look.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Welcome to Prius Chat (y).

    Some questions:
    • Are you the DIY type?
    • Any experience with hybrids before?
    • You get a good deal on the Prius?
    The Prolong not only balance and reconditions a pack, it can also be used to rebuild them:).

    If not, a new pack is also a good option;).

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

    Prieth New Member

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    I'm the DIY type.
    No prior hybrids.
    I believe so, $2500.

    The car seems solid and drives well, it performs as well as I'd expect, good acceleration, no quick SOC changes, can go well on just battery, holds charge overnight... I've nothing Prius wise to compare to though other than a few short gen 2 test drives as I was shopping. Much preferred the gen 3, though this is the only one I've driven.

    If I'm reading those basic scans right the battery doesn't seem in imminent danger of failing, but I was hoping some of you who know them better could verify how things look. What's throwing me off the most is that the car holding the code, P0A80, no cel or triangle. Just from driving I wouldn't suspect an issue.

    The one thing I've noticed off about it is the dash clock resets overnight. No radio resets, just the clock. The 12v was 12.8 with the car off and 14.5 in ready.

    In case there's something else I should pull up, I currently have Dr Prius, Carrista and Bluedriver available, and just downloaded Hybrid Assistant but haven't played with it yet.
     
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  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    If the DIY type, I’d look to get a J2534 protocol dongle off of Amazon or eBay which comes with Techstream. This helps diagnose the codes, particularly since the P0A80 code can have many meanings. But the codes will point to the next steps;).

    Given the mileage on your new to you Prius, I would do the following:
    • Get Techstream
    • Check oil level and monitor for oil consumption (more monitoring now until any potentials are understood)
    • Egr circuit cleanse
    • Oil catch can
    • Engine water pump replacement (just my personal opinion but something that should be done as your Prius has now passed what is believed to be Toyota’s opinion of a “lifetime” part)
    • Thermostat replacement
    Depending on what the code is for, if inclined to DIY, I’d buy the Prolong and then have it for not just your use, but other potentials in your geographical area:).

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
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  5. Peter123

    Peter123 Active Member

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    If you get the techstream software, you can look at all the cell voltages in the hybrid battery. The range from low to high is the measure of the batteries' problems. The prolong process tries to get all the cells to the same voltage. A quick look with techstream will tell you if you have a problem or not.
     
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  6. Prieth

    Prieth New Member

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    I assume techstream will get me further than the elm stuff I have, especially with reading deeper codes, but how much more detailed is it than the attachments above for reading battery condition?

    What I have now shows the block voltages, resistance, etc. My limited understanding seems to be everything looks to be in line, high and low voltage difference in the .1x range, resistance close. Is there anything in the screenshots that I should be worried about?
     
  7. Prieth

    Prieth New Member

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    Thanks, I'll add these to the to do. I'm also planning to change all the fluids.

    So far I've driven about a thousand miles with no noticeable oil consumption, hopefully it holds, seller said he had just changed it. Are folks doing the catch can when no oil is burning, or only once it starts?
     
  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Catch cans weren’t a thing until a couple of years back;).

    So I added mine after the fact on our 2010, but I will be adding one to our new Prime prior to the potential consumption :).

    Start early(y).
     
    #8 Raytheeagle, May 22, 2019
    Last edited: May 22, 2019
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  9. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    MSRP for a new pack is $2,729.35, part #G9510-47062.

    If this is strictly an in-town car and you are interested in replacing cells (and making this a work-in-progress), then a Prolong system will make sense.

    Otherwise, plan on buying a new pack.
     
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  10. Prieth

    Prieth New Member

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    Fair advise.

    I've seen them as low as $1600 from some dealers, much higher from others, just depends where you are. When I checked with my local dealer they were willing to work on the price, we'll see when the time comes.

    I've also been leaning towards the new design from newpriusbatteries for $1600, it seems he has a good reputation here, though I don't think he's been going very long. He doesn't give much warranty either at 2 year/25k, that's about my annual mileage, to be fair OEM warranty sucks too, but is proven. Anyone know how long his packs have been out in the wild? Any known failures?
     
  11. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    $1600 is for the Gen2 batteries, the Gen 3 ones are still much higher.
     
  12. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Personally, I don't see much value in the Prolong system. $700 (or more if you pay someone to install it) is just too large of a fraction of the pack replacement cost.

    But then we are only one year into ours (bought new) so I can't claim a lot of firsthand experience.
     
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  13. Prieth

    Prieth New Member

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    Ah, gotcha. Looks like it's still $2100+ for the gen 3. Hopefully it comes down before I need one.
     
  14. Prieth

    Prieth New Member

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    That's my concern. I'd find it valuable for maintenance and reconditioning, but don't expect it would compare to a new pack.

    I know there are lots of rebuild threads here, but don't know that I've seen anything specific to how well a Prolong build will last compared to someone balancing with hobby chargers. My understanding is that most rebuilders are playing wack-a-mole pretty often, and I'm sure the Prolong makes that easier, but does it make it less often? Do these rebuilds last longer?
     
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  15. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    A bit high in miles to begin prolong process also factor in the life of battery left. If you want to keep the car for life, get a prolong charger now and once battery goes completely kaput, then get a new/reconditioned battery and prolong charger combo will keep you running for the long haul.
     
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  16. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    So one of the batteries @SFO and I rebuilt is still clicking along 1 year and ~15 k miles later;).

    Still going strong:).

    @SFO is working on another now, so we’ll have more data soon(y).
     
    #16 Raytheeagle, May 22, 2019
    Last edited: May 22, 2019
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