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Recommended sources for replacement hybrid batteries today in 2017?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by priusrecon, Sep 20, 2017.

  1. priusrecon

    priusrecon Member

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    I'm looking for a replacement traction battery for my 2006 Prius. It's in good shape with 126K miles on it.

    I'm considering either a remanufactured one from several online companies or a brand new one from a dealership.

    Remanufactured ones seem to run in the $900 to $1300 range depending on warrantee, and they say those warrantees are full, not pro-rated. Some offer installation services for around $250 right here in my driveway, and by letting them do the install they offer an additional warrantee period of up to 3 more years, again, full,
    not pro-rated.

    A new factory battery seems to run $3000 or more, with no better warrantee than the above mentioned remanufactured ones. The new factory batteries I'm told by Toyota, are made from Gen 2 cells.

    I've been getting various levels of pushback on the merits, and even the definition, of Gen 2 cells vs Gen 3 cells in remanufactured battery packs. Is it really that important if the battery will be warranted by the company for 3 years anyway?

    Toyota tells me all their factory batts for my year car are Gen2 anyway and they don't offer Gen3 versions for my car.

    So far I've looked into 3 places for remanufactured batts - Falcon Hybrid Solutions in New Jersey, Hybrid Battery Doctor Inc, and Electron Automotive in California.

    I've been hearing that Dormand is a place to stay away from.

    Anybody have experience with any of these places, have opinions on them, or have any other recomendations on where I should go?

    Thanks.
     
    #1 priusrecon, Sep 20, 2017
  2. Moving Right Along

    Moving Right Along Senior Member

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    The warranty length of a new or remanufactured battery does not necessarily reflect the battery's endurance. A new battery from Toyota should last as long as your first one (10+ years, 100,000+ miles), whereas remanufactured batteries are only as good as the cells inside them and the competence and technical capabilities of the people who put them together and install them. For that reason, places like Luscious Garage and other Prius specialty shops no longer install remanufactured batteries; they only will install factory new Toyota batteries.
     
    #2 Moving Right Along, Sep 20, 2017
  3. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    #3 Prodigyplace, Sep 20, 2017
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    nice hook up.^^^(y)

    as far as reman's go, buyer beware, the warranties are only as good as the company standing behind them, and won't likely be any good after the warranty is up.
     
    #4 bisco, Sep 20, 2017
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  5. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Might check out a new battery from BeeMax™ Replacement Hybrid Battery for Toyota Prius - Bumblebee Batteries . Could be installed for less than OEM and should have the same or better warranty.

    Dorman has a three (3) yr warranty, assuming you buy it from a nationwide auto parts chain you would also have nationwide coverage if it ever fails on the road (doubt you would get that from the three you've mentioned above) -but someone will still need to R&R that battery when it goes bad.
     
    #5 SFO, Sep 20, 2017
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  6. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    Before I purchased a Prius, I was shopping for an Insight. And on the Honda Insight board that I lurked at, Bumblebee was a very trusted name for Insight batteries.
     
    #6 MelonPrius, Sep 20, 2017
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  7. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    #7 fotomoto, Sep 20, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2017
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  8. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Wasn't really a recommendation as that was the BeeMax link.

    Was just a little input on why Dorman might be a better choice over the other three (3) rebuilders the OP mentioned (assuming the vehicle travels at all). Now if the vehicle is only driven locally, and one OPs suggested rebuilders (Falcon Hybrid Solutions, Hybrid Battery Doctor, and Electron Automotive) has a local warranty that covers R&R when the battery goes south then we have a new twist.

    Another reason might be if a Dorman was purchased at oreillyauto.com and it fails three (3) times within the warranty period you can ask for and get a refund (YMMV, best to check as this might only apply to their 'Life Time Warranty' parts).
     
    #8 SFO, Sep 21, 2017
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  9. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    There have been too many Dorman horror stories here on PriusChat to give them a recommendation, IMHO.
     
    #9 Prodigyplace, Sep 21, 2017
  10. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    My understanding is the purchaser is left w/o a battery since they don't include a core in that refund so they are in a worse position.
     
    #10 fotomoto, Sep 21, 2017
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