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New owner, what should I service next?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by parkp81, Aug 31, 2014.

  1. parkp81

    parkp81 Junior Member

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    Well I got my new battery and hooked up my volt meter to it and it shows "12.4 volts", which I read is not fully charged. Bummer I didn't get lucky.

    I contacted Amazon, and now I have to wait for a special department to contact me to get a refund since it is Hazmat. Well I learned my lesson for today.
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    You could just put your new battery on a charger overnight. The next battery you get from Amazon is not going to be any different.

    But I suppose you were looking for a reason to unwind that deal.
     
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    depending on how accurate your voltmeter is, 12.4 volts really is pretty close. They say these shouldn't be below 12.5 when you receive them.

    I would just install it in your car and see what happens when it charges up after driving a couple days. You have a full warranty to return, no need to return it right away. I think it'll be fine.
     
  4. parkp81

    parkp81 Junior Member

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    I was actually hoping to get a good battery and not find a reason to unwind it.

    My voltmeter is actually a cheap one from Harbor Freight (free), so I was thinking it might not be 100% accurate either.

    Well since I don't have a charger, will this one work? BLACK+DECKER 120-Volt Battery Maintainer-BM3B at The Home Depot

    I have a few days until I receive my battery tray so I can leave it on a charger.
     
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Just install it in the car and drive it, it'll charge on it's own
     
  6. parkp81

    parkp81 Junior Member

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    Sounds like a plan. I will give it a shot. Thanks!(y)
     
  7. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Time to get some decent tools if you plan to work on your car and/or home.

    If you had searched "black decker BM3B," you would have seen this LINK for the actual product page: critical specifications are missing, doesn't inspire confidence. The product does come with a one year warranty. Charge rate is critical for AGM batteries; exceed the battery's design, shorten the battery's life.

    My post #18, had listed some of the popular AGM battery chargers. The Schumacher SC-1200 A/CA, $38) 3-8-12Amp charger, is going to be a better and more versatile charger for you. 5 year warranty too. See the attached manual for the specs and warranty.
     

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  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    This is OK if you plan to log many hours of driving time each day.

    If your commute pattern is such that driving 5 - 10 miles a day is your norm, then the 12V battery is going to remain discharged and will provide a much shorter service life.

    Get a good battery charger intended for AGM batteries. 4 - 10A is the preferred charging rate, Optima is supposed to withstand a 10A charging rate. The GS Yuasa battery has a label that advises using a 4A rate.
     
  9. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    I concur 100% with everything Patrick has said and advises.
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Didn't new batteries use to come only something like 70% charged?

    I'd concur with charging: any time I've got a new battery in the last few years I've hooked it up to my CTEK 3300 overnight, let it go 'till it's showing green lights, meaning the charger's happy with it.
     
  11. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I really think many owners of prius cars are overly concerned about the cars 12v when new. If you bought a battery from a shop and they install it for you, they won't be charging it up before installing it. As long as it's around 75% charged, the car will be able to charge it up while you drive. Nothing more to it

    If you buy a new car that's been sitting on the lot for 6 months, same thing would happen, the car charges it
     
  12. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    The problem is 12.4V is not 75% charged. And as Patrick said, unless you are "log[ging] many hours of driving time each day" it is going to take forever to charge the battery up, if it does at all. The longer the battery is in a semi discharged state, the shorter its life span is going to be. Charging your 12V is just prudent preventative maintenance.
     
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I understand that this specific battery may not be the minimum optima set at 12.5 volts when new. But the equipment used to measure is not 100% accurate as well.

    Generally speaking we are spending too much time worrying about the 12v.