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Prius 2nd Gen 12 V Battery Replacement Exide vs Optima Yellow Top?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by wirelessjava, May 7, 2020.

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  1. wirelessjava

    wirelessjava Member

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    Which 12V battery last longer over 10 years

    Exide vs Optima Yellow Top
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no one knows, a study has never been done. and it wouldn't reflect real world conditions anyway
     
    Graeme1949 likes this.
  3. Graeme1949

    Graeme1949 Member

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    Don't know, never had either one. My 2004 is on its 3rd 12 V battery, but I honestly could not tell you what brand any of them were. Just "whatever the dealer put in".


    -Graeme-
    2004 Prius with >190,000 miles.
    Sent ?.
     
  4. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Probably neither, even with additional maintenance/care (periodic external charging), it seems that 8 years might be doable, but with no extra care and regular driving of 1 hour or more a day 5 -6 years. Short drives and lots of sitting idle 2-3 years. A lot also depends on the original condition of the new battery, the use environment, whether you do a forming charge to start with, and whether the battery is fully charged when put into service.

    But who really can tell the future?
     
    Graeme1949 likes this.
  5. wirelessjava

    wirelessjava Member

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    Hey Bisco

    Optima Yellow top is easy to get at Auto Zone if you needed something right away but it is 283 bucks vs exide ??
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    $283 rivals the OEM Yuasa thru dealership parts dept?

    When I bought one almost 5 years back, it was $220 CDN, free shipping, thru SaskBattery.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yellow tops are fine. that's a little steep, how much is the exide? i picked up an oem for $200. plus tax
     
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  8. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    In CA? I doubt any will.
     
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  9. wirelessjava

    wirelessjava Member

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    Anyone have the record for the longest lasting 12V battery?
     
  10. runxctry

    runxctry Junior Member

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    Check dealer prices. Possible OEM Yuasa may have the lowest price and longest warranty. It was for me.
     
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  11. nssdiver

    nssdiver Me digging' life

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    As one data point, my Yellow Top from eLearn Aid, is coming up on 9 years. Installed for $170 with conversion kit as the YT did not have the thin posts at the time.

    I had even completely flattened it shortly after installing it.


    iPhone ?
     
  12. sach0325

    sach0325 Junior Member

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    My Yellow Top lasted just a bit more than 3 years on one and just a bit more than 2 years on another 2nd gen. Whereas original one had last 7-8 years on both of our priuses.
     
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The spiral style yellow tops have higher Cold Cranking Amps but lower Amp Hours. I have a YT currently, had it for over 5 years, but will likely go with a Canadian Tire conventional case AGM (ABSorbent Glass Mat) next time. I have coddled the YT with charging.
     
  14. ukiltmybrutha

    ukiltmybrutha Member

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    Original battery was nursed by previous owner for 15 years. Wouldn't hold a charge for more than a few days though.
     
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  15. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    My 2013 Avalon is going on 8 years and still has the original Panasonic battery.
    My 2006 Prius also has a Panasonic battery, but I have my doubts that it's the original and that it's 14 years old, although I guess it could be.

    But I cheat. I live in a cold area so I've had even cheap batteries last for way longer than they do in other parts of the world.
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I cheat big-time: ours practically LIVES on a smart charger.
     
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  17. magnumrtawd

    magnumrtawd Member

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    My 2010 has original 12 volt. I drive it 1 hour 5 days a week. Garaged every night. I get the batt. tested every year at Walmart. Still good!!
     
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  18. mswtoyota

    mswtoyota Member

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    My battery was last replaced at a Toyota dealership in Dallas 6/2012@170754 miles. Our local stealership uses re-branded Interstate batteries for all their batteries. Just this week (8/23/2021) the battery is starting to showing signs of dying. I can only think of 1 time I ever let it discharge below 11 volts, and usually drive it ~60miles/day. I've got over 350000 miles now, and am considering the Optima for replacement. Anyone have a longer record for battery life?
     
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  19. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

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    I have the original Panasonic OEM battery in my 2006 and it still works (though I need to replace it since it's on its last leg). But I do believe the cool weather where I live has more to helping batteries live nearly forever than the brand.
     
  20. burrito

    burrito Active Member

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    Local Toyota dealership has the OEM 12V battery for $209, and they accept the free shipping promotion (for purchases over $75) that's on the Toyota parts website. Has anyone found another dealership honoring the free shipping promotion which is selling the 12V battery for less than that? For the price, I find the 84 month warranty attractive.