1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Low HV battery

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by SteveWlf, Feb 4, 2015.

  1. SteveWlf

    SteveWlf Old-on-Hold

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2012
    262
    33
    0
    Location:
    Montesano, WA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I have a couple wrecked Gen2 that I plan to repair. One was running about 8 months ago when I moved it around and let it charge the main battery til I had light green bars s on the display. I didn't take any battery voltages thou but I did disconnect the main safety plug.
    Yesterday, I put a freshly charge 12V battery in and the display came up with a red triangle but the charge displayed about 3-4 dark purple bars. I was hoping the engine would start and I could let it charge the main battery but after few minutes the bars started dropping til I only had on bar left. I turned everything off and pulled the main battery disconnect plug again. Today I checked the main battery voltage and I get 188v so is that too low to expect it to crank the engine up and start charging??
    I also have another good (was) Gen2 battery in my shop that presently reads 206v. If I put this battery in this wreck will it be able to start the engine and recharge its self??
    I will have to deal with the other battery later.
    Just what is the lowest voltage that one can expect the Prius to be able to start and recharge?? ( I have yet another Gen2 that I haven't checked the voltage on yet. It can't start it because I have no keys so I will have move it into another vehicle.)
    Your comments and suggestions would be appreciated!

    Steve
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you should grab a grid charger from the priuschat shoppe. sounds like the perfect app.
     
  3. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2010
    5,194
    1,910
    0
    Location:
    Herefordshire England
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I do not know what the lowest voltage is before the engine will not start, but if there are any bars on the display there is enough voltage to start.
    It is likely the red triangle is the reason for the no start.
    One question you say the engine did not start, but did it spin?
    The grid charger would be useful in your situation unless you wish to build a simple basic charger.

    John (Britprius)
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  4. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2014
    3,002
    480
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    For a battery of that age, a few bad cells could be causing the problem.
     
  5. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2010
    5,194
    1,910
    0
    Location:
    Herefordshire England
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Just one other thought, you did fit the safety plug correctly? Sliding it after closing the lever.

    John (Britprius)
     
    koolingit likes this.
  6. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    1,411
    506
    0
    Location:
    Harrison Township, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Not that there is anything wrong with it, but why do you have so many Gen2's sitting around?? Are you planning on rebuilding/reselling, repairing them, driving them, or are you a hoarder? Lol
     
  7. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2011
    1,686
    337
    0
    Location:
    Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    +1 on the safety plug being properly seated. It manages to trip up many people. Otherwise, get out your mini VCI and see what the codes are.
     
  8. SteveWlf

    SteveWlf Old-on-Hold

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2012
    262
    33
    0
    Location:
    Montesano, WA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I have looked at the grid charger and think this might be a good investment for my situation (and to answer the question "why so many Prius's setting around?"
    I drive a gen2 with the Plug In Supply 10K conversion, plus between two of my sons there are two more Gen2s and one Gen3 (and looking for another). Kinda makes sense to have a few parts cars around 'would you think'! Two of the gen2 parts cars were originally for rebuild/repair of body damage. I have since started taking parts off of one since the damage was too extensive for my skills. The other is a rather well worn, but low mileage Yellow Cab and I has some rear end damage I think I can manage and plan to use it for a local delivery car with my Plug In conversion transferred over.
    I also picked up another spare battery from a wrecking yard that was afraid of it, for a good price. It has been setting in my shop for almost two years and still reads 206V.
    I have been concerned about doing maintenance charging on all these "idle" batteries and expect I will order this Grid Charger now.

    Thanks for your interest and comments.

    Steve
     
  9. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    1,411
    506
    0
    Location:
    Harrison Township, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Cool, Steve... makes sense. Keep on Prius'ing on! (y)
     
  10. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2010
    954
    716
    1
    Location:
    Boulder Hybids, Boulder, CO
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    If you have a Prius, like to tinker but don't like going to the dealer, Techstream/Mini-VCI is the first tool you should purchase. Troubleshooting without Techstream is just guessing.
     
    gdanner likes this.