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Recommend a 12v battery charger

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Berch1943, Apr 19, 2021.

  1. Berch1943

    Berch1943 Member

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    Can anyone recommend the battery charger to use for the 12v battery? Mine shows it has 45Ah. So I looked at the NOCO Genius1 on Amazon , says it charges up to 30Ah if I'm not wrong. The Genius2 would barely do it at 40Ah. Does it matter which one I use?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    get the cheapest one, prius battery is small and easy to charge. i charge mine with a 20 year old interstate in my avatar
     
  3. Berch1943

    Berch1943 Member

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    But what does it mean that it "charges up to 30Ah" ?
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think you are wrong. Maybe it’s rated 3 amps, period? That’s a charging RATE basically, and would be fine. Provide a link?
     
  5. Berch1943

    Berch1943 Member

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    Thats what it says directly on their Amazon page. And their rated amps is 1.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that one looks fine, i can't find the 30 ah thing.

    edit, i see it at the bottom. they are probably talking about how long it takes to recharge. i think you can charge a prius battery up to 4 amps. it's not necessary, but would be faster.

    slow charging is better, unless you're in a hurry.
     
    #6 bisco, Apr 19, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2021
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  7. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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  8. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Sometimes batteries are rated in Ah. So maximum recommended size battery would be 30Ah. Since the Prius AGM is 45 Ah they'd have a charger for that. Just remember 4A is as high as you want to go. I've tried 6A and it was too fast.

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  9. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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  10. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    55amp-hour is my standard and price is in $100 range... And if you know your Prius you know 12v car batteries are based on cold cranking amps but not Prius because they don't start the engine, just the computers and the relays. If you want to only spend $113 instead of $300 and have a 12v that lasts near a decade with no issue, let me know and I'll post the link.
     
  11. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    Get the Schumacher half price $48, Noco over priced.

    • RELIABLE POWER: Delivers 15 Amp charge and 3 Amp to maintain car, truck, SUV, RV, and marine batteries; compatible with standard AGM, and deep-cycle batteries
    • SMART CHARGING: Microprocessor-controlled automatic amperage rate adjustment and multi-stage charging for added precision, safety, and battery life
     

    Attached Files:

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  12. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Good recommendation.
    My Schumacher chargers have performed flawlessly.
    But there are others equally as good.
    Any Battery Tender brand with a capacity of 2 amps or more would be good for battery maintenance when not in use.

    I prefer a 4 amp capacity because it will recover a usable charge quicker if you make a mistake and let it get too low.
    The dual charging ranges of the above model is a plus.
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I’m using a CTEK 4.3, hooked up way more than not. Using its quick connect, wired in at the under-hood fuse box. It has got pricey of late though.
     
  14. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    Also my goto, CTEK 7200 bought it 10 years ago $70cdn. Current price $198? Not sure I would buy it at that price, even tho it has served me well.
     
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  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah the price blow-up is puzzling. Partially COVID gouging? That’s maybe cynical. NOCO seems the up and comer.
     
  16. ski.dive

    ski.dive Active Member

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    Lots of battery chargers on AMAZON
     
  17. Berch1943

    Berch1943 Member

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    What do you think of this charger? It's at 4amps and the Ah range is 4-100.

     
    #17 Berch1943, Apr 20, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2021
  18. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Looks decent from what I can tell. It didn't look like it had quick disconnect for ring attachment but not a deal breaker unless you're looking for that?

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  19. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Not enough amps... You want at least double if you're going to charge a drained down 12v car battery relatively quickly...
     
  20. Berch1943

    Berch1943 Member

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    Time is probably not important for me. I'm just looking for one that works best for the Prius 45Ah batteries. Looking to spend no more than $30 Do you have any recommendations?

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