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12v Battery advice: recharge, replace, etc?

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by fpfpfpfpfp, Mar 24, 2021.

  1. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

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    Hi. I'm considering what to do about my 12v battery. 2012 Prius v, approx 67k miles. Not been driven often, recently.

    Never had battery related problems. Spent, about, a day looking at threads (here and on Reddit) to try to figure out the situation, before finally just calling AAA yesterday, while hoping it wasn't the hybrid battery and that a jumpstart could help--and it did. ..but, the service guy warned that we should get a new 12v, asap.

    The threads I looked at got me to consider a few points, beyond just going to Toyota for a replacement. ..I am not technically competent when it comes to cars--I do have a helpful uncle who's a pretty competent DIY mechanic (tho with non hybrids). ..so I'm making 'barely-educated guesses' or theories about what might work, based on my limited research over the past couple days. Plus, a big factor is that we are financially struggling:

    • analyze/assess current state of battery, and whether still viable if recharged/revitalized (idk the proper technical term)? ..based on assessment, how long could we 'push it to the limit'?
    • tho I'd like to avoid nontraditional options (esp if they'd involve a learning curve akin to a pro mechanic): I saw a Redditor mention their personal experience (https://bit.ly/2NRQMsI) replacing his sister's Gen 3 Prius (same gen as mine) 12v with a 12v battery that's apparently for wheelchairs and, provided a still working link to buy it (currently $113). ..this brings up extra concerns, like: we'd be forced to DIY with the help of my uncle--could we make any install errors that affect the car or longevity of the battery (?); how long might it last compared to an OEM battery; plus anything else I may have failed to consider
    • simply buy OEM battery and DIY install with help of uncle?
    I also did price comparisons of 3 diff Toyota dealerships on parts/labor. They actly did vary a bit. Best of those was $359 plus tax (Idk if I called up more dealerships I could get a lower quote?--3 seemed reasonable).

    And, I talked to a local LA mom and pop shop that works exclusively on hybrids (AAA guy recommended it--Electric Avenue) and, they told me $329 parts/labor plus tax--tho not OEM, 'Interstate' brand, who they say is as good as OEM. ..Not a drastic price difference. (And this shop's guy, was leaning more toward replace, rather than assess/recharge, etc).

    Last concern: I noticed the car's computer likely needs setting up. Not sure what to do or how big of a problem this can be. ..Doing reverse in our driveway, the reverse camera's guidelines dont turn/work (there's a popup box saying they need recalibration).

    Obviously any OEM route is what we favor but, with finances being tight, we are considering those extra options. What do you think? Thanks for reading.
     
  2. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Replacing the 12V is a ten minute job with a 10mm socket driver. Any compatible (vented) battery will work. You will probably have to recalibrate the automatic window closing and radio channel selection functions, unless you hold those with a 9V battery clipped to the removed 12V battery leads.
     
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  3. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Batteries + Bulbs has a $220 Duracell, and get 10% off online order for pick up. Any problems let me know I’m not to far from Los Angeles...
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    replace it now.

    shop around auto parts stores for the best price for an exact non oem replacement. ask your uncle bob to install it, and watch carefully to learn a new trick.

    there are plenty of youtube videos, don't make it more complicated than it is, it isn't brain surgery
     
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  5. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

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    hi. thx.... do you have any specific thoughts on the Interstate battery, or the wheelchair battery (not that i get what vented means but, i assume it's vented, since that dude said he installed one)?
     
  6. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

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    thx. sorry but...not sure what you mean. ..are you offering to help install?

    also: that duracell 'sounds' like a good deal. ..but, many ppl in priuschat seem to say they've had bad experience with non-OEM batteries. i wish i had more of a basis to make a comparison. ..bc to a know-nothing-noob like me, the wheelchair battery seems like a good idea, too, bc it's the cheapest--but i could be wrong
     
  7. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

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    hi. thx for replying. i mean, i can see that it's not that difficult for someone that seemingly has plenty of experience, like you, so I'll take your word for it but, it may as well be brain surgery, for me, lol. ..like, having worked once as a food buyer for a catering company, i could tell you what looks like low quality vs lower quality ingredients and why. but, i dont have that perspective when it comes to batteries for hybrids (or non hybrids).

    what if, i gathered more research on prices, and brought it back to you? (just a spitball-idea, not set in stone)
    any thoughts on the two non oem batteries i mentioned?
     
  8. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Yes, I can. If you do it by tomorrow night I still have full Techstream access as it expires Friday 11:49 pm, plus my Foxwell NT510 Elite just in case.

    I have a non-OEM LiFePO4 battery I bought from China. It cost me about the same as the quotes you are getting for the OEM one.

    But if you wish:


    2012 Toyota Prius v TrueStart Battery - 0054421171325 | Puente Hills Toyota, City Of Industry CA


    moto g(7) power ?
     
    #8 jzchen, Mar 25, 2021
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2021
  9. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    The OEM battery has a vent port (at top/right as installed) which attaches to a formed hose (8mm nylon, p/n 28885-37060 Toyota Hose, battery 2888537060) which diverts any battery out-gassing through the hose, through and below the wheel well, outside and beneath the vehicle.

    I am not familiar with the Interstate; used an Optima yellow battery. If the Interstate is stated to be a direct replacement on size, format, and capacity, just be sure it has the vent port and be sure to reconnect the vent hose.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sure, i'd be happy to help. but i can tell you that all the batteries are about the same. an oem is around $200. and sometimes you can find aftermarket as low as $150.
    if cost is important, get an aftermarket if it is worth it to you. if not, purchase an oem and ask your uncle to help.
    do not buy a wheelchair battery, or any battery that isn't an exact match meaning:

    correct dimensions LxWxH

    correct post size

    correct vent tube

    any battery that is a direct replacement from a reputable seller will have all those things, there's no need for concern.

    lastly, you want it fully charged before bringing it home. any reputable seller will put it on a charger, and show you the voltage when you purchase it.
     
  11. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    I took a peek at the Interstate Battery website. If the pictures are accurate for the S46B24R battery there may be a problem connecting the vent tube. It does not look vent tube friendly, which is a surprise to me...

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  12. ZX Nutt

    ZX Nutt New Member

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    I bought mine from autozone ($199 today and was in stock) installed it in their parking lot using their tools and haven't looked back (2 years ago). Has worked great since and has a 3 year warranty.
     
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  13. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

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    thx so much!
    well, i hope i can do some shopping around for prices tmrw...$150 would be great, if it's as decent compared to an OEM! ..today i couldnt rly focus on the car stuff. tmrw is sorta up in the air. ..was considering going to that shop and get the battery tested (the offered for free) and see what condition it rly is in (?)...idk if that's a dumb idea.

    understood abt the exact match. ..now, granted, that wheelchair battery might not be vented--it was hard to be sure. did you happen to click that link tho? (direct link to the battery clerk store is in there) he said he did it himself for his sister's gen3 (same gen as mine)
     
  14. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

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    wow, thanks!

    hmm, im a bit comfused by that link, bc it says $200 w/ discount but, right below that, it says: "MSRP and price exclude taxes, installation, shipping, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price."

    Idk abt tomorrow. i was considering getting my battery tested at that shop to see what the actual condition is and if they can tell me exactly how much life it has left. ..plus, im not even sure what model/brand battery to get, yet. i didnt have a chance to do car/battery related research today. ..also, i dont rly understand why it's a good thing, for me, that you have the techstream and foxwell. ...can you run the same tests on batteries that i want to do at the shop in SilverLake?
     
  15. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

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    oh, and i also looked at their site and it says under specifications and footnotes "Battery is vented outside of vehicle." ..but, yeah, based off the picture, it's hard to tell if it's vented
     
  16. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

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    oh, i see! thx for clarifying!

    how do you feel abt your yellow optima so far? and how long have you had it?

    also...by chance, did you click through that link i added? it has the battery clerk store link within. ...i couldnt tell if the wheelchair battery is vented or not, but the dude claims he did it for his sister's gen3.
     
  17. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    The Prius v’s Optima is five years and holding fine. Have also used them in the rest of the fleet where service life has exceeded seven years on average. Good experience.
     
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  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    not sure why you would spend $170. on a wheelchair battery when a perfect fit is only a few dollars more
     
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  19. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    I've bought from that Toyota site before. That is the dealer's price. Don't know about shipping they are near enough, at least to me, for me to drive there whenever I need something at a discount. Yes I didn't get much use of my $65 investment in a Techstream 2 day subscription so I flashed a warrantable (could get done for free at the dealer) ECU update. The v's battery is deep inside the trunk. Nothing to be scared of just a lot of layers to remove to get to it, like wearing winter clothes in the winter, but needing to go to the restroom.

    EDIT- Sorry didn't catch your question. Toyota Technical Information prescribes a simple test of the 12 V battery. Charge or run the vehicle. Turn off charger/vehicle. Turn on High Beam headlights for 30 seconds. Measure Voltage at the 12 V battery terminals. Compare with chart to determine battery condition. No I can't run the same tests as I don't have a fancy battery tester, but I am capable of running the test I mention. As long as the shop is trusted then you should be fine. I've caught the sales clerk input a higher CCA than the battery listed and tell me the battery failed the test....

    I'm not confident I could modify the battery terminal clamps and be reliable. I think someone shared how they did the modification and I forgot, because I'm banking on the reliability of my $370 investment in a LiFePO4 to last a long long time.
     
    #19 jzchen, Mar 26, 2021
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2021
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yeah, it sounds like the o/p should stay away from any mods. even most experienced people here just drop in a standard fitment
     
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