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12V battery List

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by cproaudio, Jun 21, 2015.

  1. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    Long story short, my 12v battery is dying. It doesn't affect the MPG, just cant start the car after sitting for 2 days.
    I've been searching for replacement batteries for a few days. This is what I found so far. There are 3 manufacturers for aftermarket 12V battery, Johnson Control (Optima), Exide and Deka (East Penn Manufacturing). If there are others, I haven't found them yet. Below is a list of the 12V Prius batteries that I've found. If you bought a battery not listed here please let me know so I can add to the list. Also please share your review and experience on aftermarket 12V battery. Thanks.
    ------------------------OEM Battery Information------------------------
    Spec: S46B24R GS YUASA
    Part# 28800-21171 Original
    Part# 00544-21171-325 TrueStart (Johnson Control Rebrand?) 24MO warranty, 60MO Prorated
    * Years 1-2: 100% of parts, service and towing
    * Years 3-4: 50% of TrueStart MSRP
    * Years 5-7: 25% of TrueStart MSRP
    Width: 4 7/8" 127mm, 129mm
    Length: 9 3/8" 236mm
    Height: 8" (plus posts) - 202mm (No Post), 225mm (Including Posts)
    Capacity 20HR: 45AH
    Post dia:
    Pos: 13 mm (JIS Post dia's approx)
    Neg: 10 mm (JIS Post dia's approx)
    CA, MCA, CCA are not listed because Those numbers are irrelevant to the Prius.

    Non-SKS & Prius C - 28800-21181
    S34B20R 35AH
    ------------------------OEM Charging system------------------------
    According to this thread, Need Bigger 12V battery... | PriusChat Ken1874 informed us that the Gen III Prius's DC-DC converter's max output is 120A. My 97 V6 Tacoma's Alternator's max output is only 65A. The Gen III Prius is most likely capable of charging slightly larger capacity battery than the OEM battery.
    ------------------------Decoding the Japanese battery size------------------------
    BAJ Website | Battery structure
    46B24R
    46 - Performance Rank
    B - Battery Height (203mm) and Width (127-129mm)
    24 - Battery Length in CM
    R - Post Orientation R=Right post Ground, L=Left Post Ground
    ------------------------Aftermarket OEM Fit Batteries------------------------
    Alternative Spec: NS60JIS, Group 51JIS (Group 51 & NS60 Are SAE Post Size)
    Why does the Prius battery cost so much compare to other cars?
    Due to the location of the Prius battery (inside the cabin and next to the rear quarter panel), any kind of moderate to severe rear end accident will most likely puncture the battery case. The Prius requires a 12V battery that will not spill any liquid if punctured. With spill proof as a requirement, a wet cell battery is eliminated as a possible replacement battery. The preferred spill proof battery is AGM battery. If you compare the Prius battery to other spill proof batteries from the same manufacturer, The prius battery is not more expensive. In fact, the prius battery is likely cheaper than other group size batteries. It doesn’t cost more to make JIS posts or adding a vent port to the battery. The added cost is requiring a spill proof battery.

    Johnson Control
    Optima, 8171-767 Priuschat's most poular choice. Vent hole works with OEM vent tube.
    $147.05 streetcarauto.com
    $147.05 Amazon + sales tax
    $174.99 ELearnAid + sales tax
    AutoCraft Platinum AGM S46B24R $200.99 AdvanceAutoParts.com Not sure if this battery is made by Johnson Control or Exide

    Exide - Note: The vent hole uses the BMW standard and does not work with the Prius OEM vent tube. When you buy Exide and its rebranded cousin, be sure to get the vent elbow that should have came with the battery. You also need to buy 1/4" ID tube. If your battery doesn't have the vent elbow, you can purchase the complete vent kit here Dorman 924-254
    Exide, FP-AGM51JIS, $149.99 carid.com + 24.95 shipping
    $157.17 autoplicity.com free shipping
    Bosche Platinum (Exide Rebrand) 51-440BAGM Group 51 Replaces 46B24R $189.99 Pepboys
    Rural King (Exide Rebrand), FP-AGM51JIS, $119.99 Ruralking.com Free shipping with orders over $150, $20 rebate through Aug 31st 2015.
    MotoMaster Eliminator Ultra Flat Plate AGM ELU51JIS, $189.99 canadiantire.ca

    East Penn Manufacturing
    Deka Intimidator, 9A51P, $161.28 bestbattery.com
    $154.41 remybattery.com
    $184.95 autobarn.net
    Marathon Battery, SLA-9A51P $149.95 batterymart.com
    Oreilly SuperStart, PRIUS, $175.99 oreillyauto.com
    Duracell Ultra, SLI51PAGM, $179.99 batteriesplus.com
    NAPA, BAT 9851P, no pricing could be discontinued

    ------------------------Alternative batteries------------------------
    Replace OEM 12V battery with Group 25 AGM | PriusChat
    Fitting mobility 12volt AGM battery. | PriusChat

    -----------------------Beware of Non-Reset Prorate Policy------------------------
    Beware that some stores do not reset prorated battery warranty. Wal-Mart is a good example. If your battery dies on you after 4.5 years (3 year free replacement, 2 year prorate), you'll pay 75% of the replacement battery. The new battery will only have 6 months of prorated warranty left. It'll prorate from the original purchase date of the first battery. If that battery dies on you in 7 months, the warranty had ended a month ago. You'll have to buy another one at full cost.
     
    #1 cproaudio, Jun 21, 2015
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2015
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  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Here's some info I noted regarding the stock battery. I'll probably go that route, for expedience:

    Prius battery info:
    Width: 4 7/8"
    Length: 9 3/8"
    Height: 8" (plus posts)
    Post dia:
    Pos: 13 mm
    Neg: 10 mm
    (Post dia's approx)
    Spec: S46B24R GS YUASA

    For max safety you should ensure alternative batteries are AGM type.
     
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I've purchased two of the GS Yuasa AGM batteries, and most recently bought one of the Exide AGM battery model listed in the OP. I think the GS Yuasa batteries are great if you can purchase them at a reasonable price.

    The Exide battery failed and was replaced under warranty, which has a 4 year duration. Make sure you don't lose the receipt - if you want to be able to file a warranty claim.
     
  4. Roland1555

    Roland1555 Senior Member

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    About a year and a half on my Optima and still pleased as punch.

    Exact fit with everything, including the vent hose attachment.

    Roland
     
  5. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    Coming up on six years on my factory original battery and still pleased. Checks out fine. So far.
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think the oem is the best bet these days, all the aftermarkets seem to suffer from random quality. i'm on my third. first lasted 8 years, second is 7 years old, and current reads 12.7 after 3 years. people who have had problems suffer from self annihilation.
     
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe in part due to fast turn over of stock: fresher batteries.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Jun 21, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2015
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    could be, a lot of aftermarket seem to suffer from shelf life issues. and a lot of oem complaints come from prius sales downturns and batteries going dead on dealer lots and suffering permanent damage.

    so whats worse, paying full price when sales are hot and getting a good 12v, or getting a few thousand off and having to buy a replacement a few years down the road?
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Our 2010 was purchased about 15 months past manufacturer date, so 12 volt battery was COMPLETELY dead. Got a brand new battery. :)

    (But they tried, had it running for our test drive, for some strange reason.)
     
  10. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    I spent a lot of time digging for information on-line before replacing my 12-V, and found pretty much the same information cproaudio presents above. That post is an excellent summary of the situation. I didn't find the Rural King bargain, because they have no store near me (although in 2013 I bought one of their rebranded Exide batteries for my previous car at an amazingly reasonable sale price while visiting in Kentucky).

    I ended up buying a non-kosher "U1" size "universal" AGM through Amazon and modifying it slightly so it vents through the car's original vent hose. I also added spacers to make it physically fit. So far, so good.
     
  11. bingee3

    bingee3 Active Member

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    I see the prices but what's the warranty , the Toyota dealer battery I've heard 7 year warranty
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    pro rata.
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I can't see any battery warranty being too useful, well unless it's DOA. It's just too easy to kill a battery; I wouldn't underwrite them, they're too vulnerable.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    another problem with warranty, 'my battery is dead, i need a new one'. 'we charged it and checked it sir, it's fine'.

    or: you must have damaged it, that voids the warranty.
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Actually, I shorten the circuit: just do that myself.
     
  16. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    I switched over to a Optima Yellow Top in the middle of winter time
     
  17. Alexma

    Alexma Member

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    I just replaced with Optima Yellow Top on my 2011. OEM lasted 4.5 years. Bought at local NAPA auto. Could have saved a few bucks buying from Amazon. But, I picked up battery when store opened and had it installed in about 20 mins. This was on a Friday, Amazon would have been Wed at the earliest. Took old battery with me to avoid core charge. Also, if I had a warranty issue, I had a local shop to bring it to. It was less than $194 out the door and it was a direct fit drop in.
     
  18. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    I'm investigating the possibility of installing a larger battery in the Gen III Prius. Preliminary findings is hopeful that it is possible to install a physically larger battery than a B24R, NS60JIS, Group 51JIS sized battery in our Gen III Prius. This is good news for those with large stereo systems. Once modded, you're open to other cheaper priced, more powerful and commonly available batteries. The mod is completely reversible if you keep all the OEM parts should you want to go back to the OEM 46B24R battery.
     
    #18 cproaudio, Jun 23, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2015
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  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that would be a huge benefit for many here, all the best!(y)
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Only: are there larger vented and AGM available?

    I know what you're saying though: put a new 12 volt in our daughter's Pilot, think it was about $150 for the (beefy) OEM Honda battery.