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The Green Bean Experience Thread-I Did It

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by flypriguy, Sep 19, 2020.

  1. flypriguy

    flypriguy Member

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    Welp, finally got it done today. The installer came and swapped out the battery on my 2005 Prius. I figured I would start a thread to specifically address experience versus speculation.

    I did my research, and for me, Green Bean was the best option relative to price and risk, and I did not want a DIY solution. I thoroughly understand these are reconditioned and there's no real replacement to a completely new battery, hence the price point. My Prius is our 3rd vehicle, mostly for around town errands and driving the dogs around. I use it at least twice a day on most days so it doesn't sit for days unused. I choose Green bean because they have overwhelmingly more favorable reviews than not, and they're "A+" with the BBB which means, at the very least, they haven't generated enough horrible experiences to flood the BBB with crappy reviews.

    Reading through the Lifetime Warranty document, I didn't see anything overly onerous, and it is readily found within their website.

    I also had them replace my 12V battery while they were in there.

    Everything went perfectly, from my first phone call with them, to the installer and installation. Just a 100% positive experience.

    I will update this thread on occasion, and particularly if issues arise in the future. 722780C1-9163-471F-AC15-ACB11F82CBFD_1_201_a.jpeg
     
  2. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    The terms of their warranty are better than Bumblebee. You must not store the vehicle for 30 days or longer. There is no mileage minimum nor mileage maximum per year.

    Thank you for sharing your experience!!!



    moto g(7) power ?
     
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  3. flypriguy

    flypriguy Member

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    One thing I noticed within the first 24 hours after driving about 40 miles of mixed highway and backroads, is how on the "new" battery, the indicator bars have yet to go below the half way mark. It'll hit the half way mark, then re-fill to one bar below the top and back. Previously, just within 2-3 miles it would drain to two bars, then back up to one bar below full. It was constantly draining and filling over short distances. I guess that's one of the indicators the HV battery is going. Honestly, it feels like a new car. I don't know if it's a placebo effect, but it seems noticeably "peppier". I wonder if a battery on its way out doesn't have as much "on demand" power as a newer/fresher one...
     
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  4. meeder

    meeder Active Member

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    The maximum current draw will certainly drop over time when the battery ages.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i don't recall too many complaints with greenbean compared to others. could they be on to something?

    all the best!(y)
     
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  6. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    On the web site it says "you must have the trouble codes read & provide us a copy". That concerns me. Does that mean you can't read your codes yourself with an OBDII device? Who do you have to bring it to to have the codes read? What if you can't bring it anywhere because the vehicle won't move?

    Did you clarify this requirement with them?
     
  7. flypriguy

    flypriguy Member

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    Here's the actual excerpt from the actual warranty document I received:

    "All suspected warranty claims must first be supported by diagnostic trouble codes. These may be obtained with a code scanner(must attach pictures) or the vehicle must be diagnosed by a repair shop or a Toyota dealership.

    If you have a code scanner or have the trouble codes read by an auto parts store etc:
    1. Take a picture of the scanner and codes
    2. Send the pictures of the codes to us with the warranty claim form which you obtain by calling
    the number above.

    If you have the vehicle diagnosed the following information must be provided by the repair shop or dealership:
    1. Diagnostic trouble codes for the Hybrid Control ECU
    2. Diagnostic trouble codes for the Hybrid Battery ECU
    3. Diagnostic trouble codes for the Engine Control ECU

    Upon review of the repair shop/dealership diagnosis and determination of a battery failure within the warranty period, Green Bean Battery will replace the failed battery at no charge to the customer. Green Bean Battery will not reimburse for diagnostic expenses or towing associated with any warranty claims.

    All suspected warranty claims must be diagnosed or verified. The vehicle can be taken to a repair shop, dealer or parts store to obtain trouble codes and/or diagnostic report."

    So, you can provide the codes yourself although I'm certain they reserve the right to have you verify your findings with a shop or dealership. If you can't bring it anywhere, it's on you for the cost of getting it to a shop or dealer to read the codes. I think that's fair for this price point.
     
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  8. flypriguy

    flypriguy Member

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    I'm going to try to update this thread in a year or so; it'll sort of be my virtual log!
     
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  9. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    May I ask what that total price point was? And what 'level' HV battery did you get?

    There's many 'small changes' which you should notice with a fresh battery. You are correct about the car being more 'peppy'. You may also notice the car engine starts and stops a bit more crisply.

    Hopefully, you have a long, positive experience.
     
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  10. flypriguy

    flypriguy Member

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    Sure, total cost of $1,449. No varying levels for HV battery, just one meant to replace the existing.
     
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  11. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    There IS somewhat of an assumption implied in that statement.
    I hope you really do not have any noteworthy incidents to report in that year's time.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    good operation with a rebuilt battery is noteworthy. how else are we gonna seperate the sheep from the goats?
     
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  13. flypriguy

    flypriguy Member

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    Sure, a reasonable one I believe. If a majority of their replacements didn't make it a year, I believe we would have overwhelmingly negative reviews. I think I read every Green Bean thread/reference on this site before I made the call, and to be honest, I think there's certainly a high degree of arm-chair/speculative fear mongering. But hey, who knows, I'm willing to risk this one for the team so to speak.
     
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  14. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    I decided to read the warranty booklet of our '12 v these past couple of days. I just realized the HV battery has just passed 8 years and is now out of the Toyota warranty period, albeit less than 32k miles on the ODO. Shopping around I check Green Bean's website occasionally. I noticed (even on Chrome Android) that the little chat option always seems to say someone is available live to answer any questions/help with ordering. I decided to send an email a little while ago (this is EARLY Sunday morning). Low and behold I get a quick email response.

    Green Bean is growing on me....

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  15. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Good luck with that, but with that low of a mileage, I think I'd be inclined to keep my 'known quantity' HV battery and use the HA charger to do reconditioning on it. You can always buy the light bulb discharger later if you then want to do the 'fully monty' recondition.
     
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  16. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Thanks for posting an opinion on this.


    Looking at a plethora of used batteries near me on http://www.car-part.com to possibly use as trade in.

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  17. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    @jzchen

    Let me throw my 2 cents into this, and this is merely based on my personal experience. If I were in your shoes, with a 32k mile 2012, there is no way I would ever use that HV battery for a trade in on any refurb battery. You have a gem. Your 2012 battery is the exact example of a battery that responds amazingly well to some cycling. It would likely restore and test to 95% or better of original capacity.

    This is merely my 'take' on the subject after having cycled more modules than I can count. Your battery is the kind that I hope I get every time I get a core or a turn-in.
     
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  18. 2005Prius01

    2005Prius01 New Member

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    i have 2005 Prius and was not driving during pandemic, it was in garage more than 4 months without even start once. Initially i thought it is 12v battery issue but now looks like hybrid battery issue. I am from Seattle and checked with local shop as well as dealer, all are asking more $3000 estimate for hybrid battery replacement.
    Checked online i fount two company
    greentecauto
    greenbean

    i am not sure if i can check and install module by my self so looking to choose one of the company. lifetime warranty in green bean is looks like tempting one but not sure how much i should trust.. just curious if any one has past experience from those companies.

    will appreciate your feed back.
     
  19. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Search this website for plenty of stories about both companies, most of it is not good.
     
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  20. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    IF.....you are wanting to keep the car very long, NO company that "refurbishes" batteries just by replacing the weak cells is worth the money or trouble because it will just fail again before too long.

    Think of a rusty chain that eventually rusts so much that one link breaks.
    Replacing that one broken link and continuing to use the chain is NOT a wise thing to do.

    I personally think that it is time for you to look for a "new" vehicle that is not 15 years old with high mileage on it.
     
    2005Prius01 likes this.