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A123 Hymotion Battery Pack

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by kwtchup, May 28, 2014.

  1. kwtchup

    kwtchup Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
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    Two
    Hi everyone!

    I just purchased a 2004 Prius from a Canadian Government Surplus auction a couple of weeks ago. What made me curious about the vehicle was the fact that it was advertised as having a second battery installed.
    Turns out the second battery is a Hymotion Lithium Ion battery pack!

    I took a little bit of a risk as these types of sales are "as-is" and the Sales rep had no documentation for me except the original manual that came with the vehicle.

    Of course, because sometimes life is just like that, the battery doesn't seem to work. I can plug in the battery and the back lights do actually light up, but after charging it for 12+ hours, when I flip the
    PHEV button nothing happens (the display doesn't change, the button doesn't light up, and the engine still runs as it normally would). The odd part is that when I do slip into this mode, my SOC battery seems to drain very quickly (from 6 bars to 2 bars in a little under 10 minutes), and two beeps sound off before the gas engine turns on to recharge the battery.

    One of my good friends is actually really into this stuff, and he's been trying to help me find documentation about the installation. He believes the battery might of been disconnected (see pics below) which may be causing the problem.

    I'm not too sure what to do at this point, so any help would be appreciated. I thought of reaching out to A123, but I've heard that they delcared bankrupcy.
    I'm not even sure if I'd be able to get it removed as I can't locate a "CHIP" dealer anywhere in Montreal.

    I also have a hard time believing this battery would be dead...I've read that the average lifespan for these batteries can be up to 20 years.

    Thanks in advance!

    Julien
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 kwtchup, May 28, 2014
  2. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    The CHIP network no longer exists. But rhere are a few independent shops like mine that have picked up the pieces after the A123 bankruptcy and are helping owners keep these systems running.
    I worked a few this Hymotion vehicles this month and just helped an owner this afternoon.

    Your system may be recoverable with some time, money and effort.
    Please take a pic of the dash switch and observe report what you see when plugging in the cord. Taillights flash or dash lights flashing, etc.


    XT1049 ?
     
    #2 ericbecky, May 28, 2014
  3. kwtchup

    kwtchup Junior Member

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    Thanks for the support Eric!

    When I plug in the battery, the only reaction from the car are the brake lights turning on. They seemed to be on at full intensity the entire time I attempted to charge it (I had heard that as the battery charges the lights dim progressively until they eventually turn off). No dash activity either.

    When I flip the button, no lights turn on either. Not sure if you can tell, but the button seems to be the light indicator as well.

    Let me know if I can be of any more information from me!
     

    Attached Files:

    #3 kwtchup, May 30, 2014
  4. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Generally the tail lights should come on when plugging in, and then either dim or go out completely.
    Do you hear the fans coming on when plugging in? Does the cord get warm?

    XT1049 ?
     
    #4 ericbecky, May 30, 2014
  5. kwtchup

    kwtchup Junior Member

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    No fans, and the cord doesn't get warm either.
     
    #5 kwtchup, May 30, 2014
  6. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    There are some basic things like checking fuses, inertia switch, dash switch, and service plug that I do whenever a system like yours comes in.

    Since yours does not have a separate trouble code indicator, and you do not have service hardware/software you will basically be flying blind. You'll have to systematically go through the components, ruling out things as you go.


    XT1049 ?
     
    #6 ericbecky, May 31, 2014
  7. wb9k

    wb9k 09 Gen II Prius w Hymotion Plug-In Batt

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    N/A


    This should be over on the PHEV forum. Maybe the moderators can move it...

    It looks like your switch has a light built in. Several styles of switches were used for this over the years, but I've never seen this one. Put the switch in PHEV position, plug the car in, and immediately look at the switch. If there's a light, you'll probably get flashes to count (error codes). Sounds to me from the other symptoms you list that you may be having an AC precharge issue. I can help you get these packs going again, as can a few other folks scattered mostly around North America. Hopefully you don't have any cells that got overdischarged and life will be good without too much hassle or expense. I have heard of installs with no LED at all, though I don't think that should have ever happened. Once we are absolutely sure you do or don't have an indicator LED, we can proceed.
     
    #7 wb9k, Jun 1, 2014
  8. wb9k

    wb9k 09 Gen II Prius w Hymotion Plug-In Batt

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    N/A


    This should be over on the PHEV forum. Maybe the moderators can move it...

    It looks like your switch has a light built in. Several styles of switches were used for this over the years, but I've never seen this one. Put the switch in PHEV position, plug the car in, and immediately look at the switch. If there's a light, you'll probably get flashes to count (error codes). Sounds to me from the other symptoms you list that you may be having an AC precharge issue. I can help you get these packs going again, as can a few other folks scattered mostly around North America. Hopefully you don't have any cells that got overdischarged and life will be good without too much hassle or expense. I have heard of installs with no LED at all, though I don't think that should have ever happened. Once we are absolutely sure you do or don't have an indicator LED, we can proceed.
     
    #8 wb9k, Jun 1, 2014
  9. wb9k

    wb9k 09 Gen II Prius w Hymotion Plug-In Batt

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Commerce, MI, USA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A


    This should be over on the PHEV forum. Maybe the moderators can move it...

    It looks like your switch has a light built in. Several styles of switches were used for this over the years, but I've never seen this one. Put the switch in PHEV position, plug the car in, and immediately look at the switch. If there's a light, you'll probably get flashes to count (error codes). Sounds to me from the other symptoms you list that you may be having an AC precharge issue. I can help you get these packs going again, as can a few other folks scattered mostly around North America. Hopefully you don't have any cells that got overdischarged and life will be good without too much hassle or expense. I have heard of installs with no LED at all, though I don't think that should have ever happened. Once we are absolutely sure you do or don't have an indicator LED, we can proceed.
     
    #9 wb9k, Jun 1, 2014
  10. wb9k

    wb9k 09 Gen II Prius w Hymotion Plug-In Batt

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2012
    174
    99
    0
    Location:
    Commerce, MI, USA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A


    This should be over on the PHEV forum. Maybe the moderators can move it...

    It looks like your switch has a light built in. Several styles of switches were used for this over the years, but I've never seen this one. Put the switch in PHEV position, plug the car in, and immediately look at the switch. If there's a light, you'll probably get flashes to count (error codes). Sounds to me from the other symptoms you list that you may be having an AC precharge issue. I can help you get these packs going again, as can a few other folks scattered mostly around North America. Hopefully you don't have any cells that got overdischarged and life will be good without too much hassle or expense. I have heard of installs with no LED at all, though I don't think that should have ever happened. Once we are absolutely sure you do or don't have an indicator LED, we can proceed.
     
    #10 wb9k, Jun 1, 2014
  11. wb9k

    wb9k 09 Gen II Prius w Hymotion Plug-In Batt

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2012
    174
    99
    0
    Location:
    Commerce, MI, USA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A


    This should be over on the PHEV forum. Maybe the moderators can move it...

    It looks like your switch has a light built in. Several styles of switches were used for this over the years, but I've never seen this one. Put the switch in PHEV position, plug the car in, and immediately look at the switch. If there's a light, you'll probably get flashes to count (error codes). Sounds to me from the other symptoms you list that you may be having an AC precharge issue. I can help you get these packs going again, as can a few other folks scattered mostly around North America. Hopefully you don't have any cells that got overdischarged and life will be good without too much hassle or expense. I have heard of installs with no LED at all, though I don't think that should have ever happened. Once we are absolutely sure you do or don't have an indicator LED, we can proceed.
     
    #11 wb9k, Jun 1, 2014
  12. wb9k

    wb9k 09 Gen II Prius w Hymotion Plug-In Batt

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2012
    174
    99
    0
    Location:
    Commerce, MI, USA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A


    This should be over on the PHEV forum. Maybe the moderators can move it...

    It looks like your switch has a light built in. Several styles of switches were used for this over the years, but I've never seen this one. Put the switch in PHEV position, plug the car in, and immediately look at the switch. If there's a light, you'll probably get flashes to count (error codes). Sounds to me from the other symptoms you list that you may be having an AC precharge issue. I can help you get these packs going again, as can a few other folks scattered mostly around North America. Hopefully you don't have any cells that got overdischarged and life will be good without too much hassle or expense. I have heard of installs with no LED at all, though I don't think that should have ever happened. Once we are absolutely sure you do or don't have an indicator LED, we can proceed.
     
    #12 wb9k, Jun 1, 2014
  13. wb9k

    wb9k 09 Gen II Prius w Hymotion Plug-In Batt

    Joined:
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    Sorry, kept getting errors. Guess it was really posting after all. Is there a delete message option?
     
    #13 wb9k, Jun 1, 2014
  14. WNY-HYBRID

    WNY-HYBRID Member

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    Tear it out and sell it. They are nothing but problems. Hence going bankrupt. You could get a pretty decent chunk for it and will greatly offset the cost of your car, depending on battery size. I had a 8kw kit in my first prius and it was like bolting a Chevy aveo to it. ( mostly unreliable and heavy)

    IMHO ditch the kit and make some cash
     
    #14 WNY-HYBRID, Jun 3, 2014
  15. wb9k

    wb9k 09 Gen II Prius w Hymotion Plug-In Batt

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    A123's bankruptcy (which is over, btw) had nothing to do with Hymotion. There were some design improvements along the way that made the pack more reliable. The final iteration is quite good. The earlier ones aren't that bad either, but you do have to use them regularly, or you end up with a pack like the OP--probably still works fine, but needs to be brought back up to voltage or needs some relatively minor electronic repair. I notice you had an 8 kw kit once upon a time--that's not a Hymotion kit. Are you commenting on the reliability of a product you never even owned?
     
    #15 wb9k, Jun 3, 2014
  16. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I wonder if wny is referring to an Enginer kit. Not Hymotion. Enginer kits had 2, 4 or 8 kWh kits available.
     
    #16 ericbecky, Jun 3, 2014
  17. WNY-HYBRID

    WNY-HYBRID Member

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    Your right- I had a enginer kit. And it sucked. From what I've read the hi motion packs are good.

    Sorry :(
     
    #17 WNY-HYBRID, Jun 3, 2014
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2014
  18. wb9k

    wb9k 09 Gen II Prius w Hymotion Plug-In Batt

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    WNY, thanks for the clarification.
     
    #18 wb9k, Jun 3, 2014
  19. WNY-HYBRID

    WNY-HYBRID Member

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    I think you should pull out the hi motion pack and send it to me. :)
     
    #19 WNY-HYBRID, Jun 3, 2014
  20. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Or me. :)
     
    #20 ericbecky, Jun 3, 2014
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