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Post covid 19 battery failures?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Bunce, Apr 3, 2020.

  1. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    Is it a fair assumption to make that with all this down time and sitting Prii, we could see a spike in the hybrid battery failures once people start going about their normal lives?
     
    #1 Bunce, Apr 3, 2020
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2020
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    already happening, no assumption necessary :p
     
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  3. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Yes.
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    a true bisco answer (y)
     
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Even in regular times our car use has become so sporadic, I keep ours pretty much steadily connected to a smart charger.
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    probably be a battery shortage at some point
     
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  7. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I would expect that impact to be very minimal.
    I mean, whether you want to drive anywhere, you can still go start you vehicle up and let it run. You can drive it around the block twice, and then get back to self isolation.

    I'm trying to drive my Honda Fit...not a hybrid, at least 2-3 times a week, just to keep it "moving".

    What worries me more? Is a mechanical breakdown or accident....right now.
    Dealing with that reality would suck.
    What might happen AFTER this crisis? Well that's a lot easier prospect.
     
  8. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    Perhaps I should have stated the hybrid battery, not the 12v as that's an easy fix. These cars don't like to sit around. I spent the last week reconditioning the hybrid battery in my red Prius, I'm about to start the white Prius. That's what got me thinking, If I let them sit they'll be buggered.
     
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You're probably still within the time window to edit the first post, and the title.
     
  10. qmanqman

    qmanqman Active Member

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    Drive it up and down the street for 30 minutes a day.
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Every day? Seriously?
     
  12. qmanqman

    qmanqman Active Member

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    Whatever it takes.

    There's really no reason for your battery to go dead when you're stuck home doing absolutely jacque schyte. You can drive the car (5 min, 10, 20, whatever), you can put a trickle charger on it, you can disconnect the negative cable, etc. I mean if you're stuck home doing zippo being bored as funk like I am and the battery dies, you really have nobody to blame but yourself. Your time would be better spent doing something about it vs typing about it here. LOL
     
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the hybrid batteries don't mind sitting, until they're older and weak anyway. but a weekly drive should keep them in shape.
    i don't know anyone who isn't driving at all, but i'm sure there are some
     
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  14. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    So pretty much all Gen 2's then :D

    We've only been out 3 times in the last 3 weeks, to the grocery store and back which is only a few miles, the last time we bought more groceries for an extended bug in. It looks as though this "stay at home" order is going to go on for quite a while, even more so until all the states get on board with it. I know people on here are more cognisant than the average owner, it was just a thought out loud.
    Maybe I might even be able to score a loaded '09 or '10 model with a dead battery and upgrade from our base models.
     
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  15. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Well done(y).
     
  16. Aegean

    Aegean Active Member

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    An HV battery failed last week on my 2006 Prius because the car was sitting for long due to COVID-19. When I asked the rebuilder about any increased failure rate lately he surprisingly said no. Maybe many weak batteries are failing from sitting but at least as many are not failing anymore since mileage went down considerably. Anyway, now I drive my 3 hybrids at least once a week for 10 miles each.
     
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  17. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    I don't really see the need to drive your Prius. Once a week, you can exercise the ICE by running for 10 min in your driveway. At the same time, the 12 V and the HV battery will get some charge. After this 10 min, the MDF will be showing the true current SoC. If it is below 6 bars (i. e. the top blue bar), you can force charge it back to 6 bars. I wouldn't go higher than that while the car is largely not being driven.

    If you have the HA Prolong package and a good automatic multi-stage automatic 12 V battery charger, it is a lot simpler. Just keep the 12 V on the charger and monitor the HV (hybrid vehicle) battery. Charge it up to 220 - 222 V if it gets to 215 V or less.

    It would be interesting for people to keep some stats if they embark on that regime with the Prolong. I think people will be surprised at how little charging they end up doing. But, that is just my expectation. Maybe I could be quite wrong.
     
  18. Aegean

    Aegean Active Member

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    Maybe I am doing something wrong because I drive them until the bars becomes green ( 7th bar, 70% SOC, 226v - 236v) and let them sit for a week. So, is it better for the health of the HV battery to stay at the 6th bar which is blue? SOC 60%, 222v-232v?
     
  19. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Batteries stored fuller have a tendency to lose their capacity more;).

    If the battery is already on the edge, it may fall off of it:cool:.

    Mid range is best(y).
     
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  20. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    It is not better, it is just that if you are force-charging it (as opposed to normal driving) 60% SoC is an adequate target.

    I wouldn't worry if it is higher after a regular drive.
     
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