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Discharged HV battery to 1 bar...until exiting freeway?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Ellis Fereday, Sep 21, 2019.

  1. Ellis Fereday

    Ellis Fereday Junior Member

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    My gen 2 2005 Prius with 165K miles is discharging down to 1 bar after driving 45 miles on the freeway between 65-71 mph. It will struggle going up the inclines , but never charge the battery back up past 1 bar until I exit the freeway. Is this normal for a rebuilt battery? I tried 2 different battery packs and have the same documented results. This is normal driving to and from work. The car works fine when I get to the hills of Ramona and does not struggle at all( and that is a major elevation change)? The battery is close to fully charged after I get off the freeway and drive 2 miles to home. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated at this point. I do have a warranty with the battery but I am at a loss as the same events are happening with 2 different battery packs. Just frustrated? Thank you in advance
     
    #1 Ellis Fereday, Sep 21, 2019
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no trouble codes? one bar is not right
     
    #2 bisco, Sep 21, 2019
  3. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Whether it is normal for second-hand (aka reconditioned/rebuilt/remanufactured) batteries from the outfit from you purchased, it is hard to say, but it definitely not normal behavior for a battery is good working order.

    A good battery should operate in and around the 5-7 range, but this could vary if there is a steep climb or steep decent, for example.

    The more stories we see here of these re-whatever batteries, it is very hard to support the notion of going with a re-whatever.
     
    #3 dolj, Sep 22, 2019
    JC91006 and jerrymildred like this.
  4. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    This is normal for a dying battery. This is why I never recommend a refurb unless you like fixing the same thing over and over. Believe it or not, some people don't seem to mind.
     
    #4 jerrymildred, Sep 22, 2019
    JC91006 and dubit like this.
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Yea... Paying $200-$300 for diagnostic and module replacement a couple-few time over several years is much more affordable for most people's budgets than throwing down $2K all at one on new. Especially when it comes to Gen2 Prius owners who are obnoxiously frugal... I should, I am one. :)
     
    #5 PriusCamper, Sep 22, 2019
  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    It's hard to say... If you don't have any warning lights, I'd say it's a combination of driving conditions and your packs needing reconditioning as per info here: FAQ
     
    #6 PriusCamper, Sep 22, 2019
  7. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    When is the last time you changed the plugs and air filter and cleaned the throttle body and MAS?
     
    #7 Skibob, Sep 23, 2019
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