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Who to choose for Refurbished HV battery

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by kouki420, Jun 16, 2014.

  1. newman101

    newman101 New Member

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    Do we know if Toyota batteries are really "new" - or do they re-manufacture their own batteries?
     
  2. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    haha
    yaba daba do
    How do you know for sure anything the service dept tells you is true?
     
    #62 vvillovv, Nov 22, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2014
  3. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Just a few points:
    • Toyota dealers use new parts only or they would be at risk of losing their franchise.
    • Toyota themselves would not sell refurbed batteries without stating it was doing so. To do so would risk them going out of business.
    • Anyone who clams that they are rebuilding HV batteries with new modules is lying as the only way to get new modules that I know of is to buy a new HV battery from Toyota.
    As I have stated before, a battery that is rebuilt correctly using Gen3 modules salvaged from recent vintage Prius should have an average life expectancy of over 100k miles. The ReInVolt (Dorman's predecessor) HV battery in my 2004 Prius (rebuilt with what were young Gen2 modules at that time as the Gen3 was still in its first model year in April, 2011) is going strong at 70k miles and counting.

    JeffD
     
    newman101 likes this.
  4. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Jeff,
    New, aftermarket Prius battery modules are available. There, you learned something new today.
     
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Where can they be purchased? Price if you have it?
     
  6. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I will not sell them...... Yet.

    Be satisfied with the current offerings for now. New from Toyota, or refurbished packs from reputable sellers. They have been well tested over time.

    Just didn't want JeffD embarrassing himself with his lack of knowledge.
     
  7. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    That is the first truly miserable thing I have read from you, and strengthens my tendency to avoid rebuilding options. All of them, you included.
     
  8. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I don't think I understand. Give me a call and we can talk.

    Even though a product may exist, it does not mean it has been fully tested or is ready to be installed on a widespread basis.
     
  9. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    pack reconditioning and maintenance by owners is mostly for those who want to learn more about how the hybrid system works.
    pack reconditioning and maintenance is also chosen by some owners with out of warranty vehicles where cost of dealer repairs exceeds the vehicle current value or closely matches that value.
    Buying and installing a reconditioned pack is not the right solution for everyone or every bad pack scenario these cars throw at the owners.
    Further, there are so many techniques used presently for pack reconditioning that finding a reputable one is like finding a mechanic you fully trust.
    Which brings us back around in the cycle to those who want to learn more about how the hybrids work.
    Keep in mind that the percentage of mechanics that are certified to work on the hybrid systems is still extremely low. Most dealers that sell hybrids have one, at the most 2 hybrid certified mechanics on staff. And without a hybrid certification a mechanic is not allowed to touch the hybrid system in the car.
     
  10. kouki420

    kouki420 New Member

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    After reading all the posts, what do you guys recommend I do then?
     
  11. kouki420

    kouki420 New Member

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    It seems like a refurbished battery is a no go?

    What about greentecs g2 rebuilt with new g2 cells?
     
  12. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Refurbished batteries from a reputable source

    Or choose a new battery from Toyota.

    Stay away from used, untested junkyard batteries.
     
  13. northwichita

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    Gen III modules are improved, so I went with salvage battery bought on ebay, continue to have good results. One added comment, I did see some corrosion on the original wiring of the salvage battery, possibly I got a better buy because of that. Since I had to move them all over to my battery case, the 2010 wiring didn't matter. And of course, mine is just one experience on the topic. Testing all the voltages of the modules with a multimeter at the salvage yard seems workable.
    Replaced 2004 HV battery with a 2010 salvage one | PriusChat
     
    #73 northwichita, Nov 23, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2014
  14. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Voltages will not tell you the whole story, but I suppose it is better than simply rolling the dice blindly.
     
  15. kouki420

    kouki420 New Member

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    UPDATE: I went ahead and took my battery out and drove to greentec in DC couple weekends ago. It was a 7.5 hour drive there. Got back home the same day and installed it. I had no problems with removal or installation. I bought their refurbished battery with their new cells. Cars been running great since. It always stay one or two bar from full. My old "refurbished" "craigslist" battery fluctuate charge all the time when the guy who installed it said it was fine lol.
     
  16. kouki420

    kouki420 New Member

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    I would recommend greentec auto to anyone. Great customer service. They met me at 830am sharp on a Saturday.
     
    bisco likes this.
  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Anybody willing to give me $1500+ for a refurbish battery, I'll also have no problem meeting them on Saturday...or Sunday.
     
  18. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    After two days.
    Update us in two years.
     
  19. penquin230

    penquin230 "Golden Hawk"

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    #79 penquin230, Dec 31, 2014
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2015
  20. kinglew

    kinglew Member

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