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Should I get a Prolong/Maxx Volts charger for my new OEM pack?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by bcmanucd, Jul 23, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

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  1. bcmanucd

    bcmanucd Junior Member

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    '06, 135k miles. My wife is currently en route in our van to a Toyota dealership in Oregon to buy a new hybrid battery, so I should have it in about a week. I chose replacement rather than try to recondition the old pack, since it seems my battery fan was out of commission for who knows how long, and there was probably a lot of cumulative heat damage. But I'm tempted to buy a charger and harness from either Hybrid Automotive or Maxx Volts (or possibly even DIY one based on the work by alftoy and PriusCamper) so I can periodically top balance the new pack.

    I'm trying to decide if this might just be a waste of money. After all, the last pack lasted 18 years, so it's likely I'll get at least 10 years out of the new one, at which point the car will be 28 years old. But, currently we don't drive it much - it might sit unused for a week or more at a time. I've read that this can be bad for the longevity of the pack. What would y'all do?
     
    #1 bcmanucd, Jul 23, 2024 at 7:00 PM
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  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Your new battery pack won't need any help for 7 or 8 years... But getting that old pack charge and balanced and tested would be wise. Of course it's not worth losing the core deposit by keeping it. Unless you want to buy a Sodium-Ion pack for $1500 instead of OEM? Then you could keep the old pack to tinker with and I could loan you gear to do that.

    There's a chance I'll be in Napa on the 11th if it could wait that long... Might be able to help you get a Sodium-Ion pack despite them currently being sold out at that time. Private message me if interested?
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Jul 23, 2024 at 7:17 PM
  3. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Active Member

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    Buying a grid charger for a new OEM HV battery is a waste of money. It will not be needed for 7 to 10 years.
     
    #3 Brian1954, Jul 23, 2024 at 8:11 PM
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  4. spdracrm3

    spdracrm3 Member

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    Curious what you paid here in Oregon for the new battery, mine is getting weaker and flagging codes almost daily though I'm still getting a calculated 51mpg.(did you have any issue buying direct from dealer i always thought they only sold to repair shops)

    dont know if I can wait for the sold out sodium ion batteries much as I want to try them

    SM-G960U ?
     
    #4 spdracrm3, Jul 23, 2024 at 9:35 PM
  5. bcmanucd

    bcmanucd Junior Member

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    $1950 plus the $1350 core charge at Grants Pass Toyota. They had to order it, but it came in 2 business days. My wife hasn't picked it up yet; if they give her any grief I'll report back.
     
    #5 bcmanucd, Jul 23, 2024 at 9:59 PM
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