Looking for aftermarket 12v battery

Thanks for the advice, I certainly don't want to cause myself grief. I looked at Autozone again, and it gives me batteries for the Prius starting at $70. I only get this if I enter a K Prius, not a B Prius. I don't know what that means. I'm guessing the posts are too big as well.

Regards,
Dave

 

If the only options appear to be batteries with oversized posts, then the downsizing adapters are probably the best way to proceed. I had previously used a hacksaw to reduce post diameters. It worked in the short term but within 1 year that battery leaked acid on to (and corroded) the connectors. So hacksaw does not appear to be the right way to resolve this issue.

 

Dave

Already had Patrick Wong do the legwork when I used a ZIP for his location at Autozone Online. He personally verified the online information presented was bogus, the *only* battery they had was to fit a Miata.

The online site claimed oodles of different batteries to fit a 2004 Prius. At the physical brick-and-mortar store, just a Miata battery, which requires the post modification thing to work at all

At least when I searched using NAPA Canada, it correctly told me no direct aftermarket replacement, and to go to the dealership.

jay

 

I've learned the hard way that a cheap-nice person repair might work short term, but long-term it usually costs you more than the correct part.

I'm just talking straight cost. Reliability issues are an entirely different topic

 

Well, I have a feeling, eventually some manufacturer will make a direct plug in alternative to the Toyota battery. I may not need a battery until then, since I have a brand new Toyota battery already. Actually, I think I might contact Johnson controls and ask them about that. It could be interesting to hear thier comments.

Regards,
Dave

 

Dave

Well, sure, eventually. As the fleet ages and 12 vdc batteries poop out, a lot of folks are going to get sticker shock over the dealership or the elearnaid Optima option.

Personally, I'd go with the optima, but different strokes for different folks. Like the guy I know with a 12 year old Explorer who insists on putting in the cheapest battery he can find

Then, in a couple of years, he's pissing and moaning he needs another battery again ...

jay

 

Johnson controls currently has no plans to develop a 12 volt battery for the Prius, according to the company representative that I emailed. They said to get the battery from Toyota, of course. The optima sounds like a superior battery to me also.

Regards,
Dave

 

Well, *that* sucks ....

 

I paid about $25k US for the car. I just cannot get worked up over a $100 12V battery surcharge every 4 or 5 years.

In fact, since I have been able to do all the maintenance myself (and no one is more mechanically disinclined than me), the total costs on my 2004 Prius have been about $400 excluding tyres. This includes oil and transaxle fluids, filters, and 12v battery. In full disclosure, I also paid $100 for a radiator flush -- but that was due to a bit of stupidity on my part that I assuredly don't chalk up as a cost against the Prius.

 

I can understand your perspective. However, for me, I paid $6k for my Prius. That's more than I paid for any car in a long time. And it's more than I paid for my other three cars combined. I've never paid more than maybe $80 for any battery. The $80 battery was for a Mercedes that needed a lot of CCAs. I just don't like getting taken advantage of by a dealership. But I can certainly understand that others have a lot more invested, and they want genuine parts that are basically guaranteed to work right.

Regards,
Dave

 

Thanks for the update. You had hoped to pay $131 incl shipping. If you call the various Toyota dealers in your vicinity, maybe you'll find that your local dealer pricing varies enough to make it worthwhile to drive some distance to buy the battery.

 

i'm sold on OPTIMA Yellow Top from eLearnaid.

 

Optima would be my choice, I had an Optima Yellow Top in my old honda, and my alternator blew out on me on the freeway and the Optima let me run my car until i got off the freeway to a nearby gas station. The yellow top is designed for Car Audio equipment so it can handle some serious drain and punishment.

 

Interesting. I called them to order one recently and was told they didn't ship batteries. I said that I would then just stop in to pick it up, and was told that wasn't allowed either.

 

BZZZZT! Wrong info.

As a Miata and Prius owner I'm familiar with the batteries involved.

Mazda Miata originally used a Panasonic AGM battery. This battery is no longer available. There are 2 direct fit replacements: 1 is from Westco and the other is/was from AutoZone. I say is/was because while some AutoZone stores may have them in stock, once they are gone the store can no longer order them. I just went through this.

Regarding Optima batteries, there isn't a direct replacement for the Miata but you can use a RedTop 75/25 or 35 Starter battery as a replacement. However you do have to make a few modifications and the Optimas aren't vented.

Now the elearnaid kit referenced above uses either a D51 or D51R Yellow Top Optima Deep Cycle battery. For the Prius 12 volt battery, you need a deep cycle battery NOT a starter battery.

 

Actually, I already had forum member Patrick Wong verify this at his local Autozone. The Autozone website will have you believe that they have tons of replacement batteries to fit a +2004 Prius. It's flat out wrong

 

The elearnaid kit has the correct battery with vent tube kit

 

Correct for the Prius, but the Yellow Top Optimas are not correct for the Miata. When I can no longer get either an AutoZone or Westco battery for my Miata, then I plan on getting elearnaid's $15 installation kit and use it with an Optima Red Top 35.