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Salvage yard battery

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Dave Holbrook, Jul 14, 2018.

  1. Dave Holbrook

    Dave Holbrook Junior Member

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    SO..... I need to replace my Hybrid battery. Looked around and found a salvage yard 2009 Prius 90k miles wrecked in the front. Got the battery for $400. SO I figure it's five years newer than my present battery which I had done a couple of whack a mole cell replacements on and got another 75k out of it. I really know this car and believe it will run another 100k with no problem as I've done a lot of the routine stuff along the way. I know this battery has sat for about 6 months, where do I start with this? What should I check before I install it? The bus bars don't look bad, but should I go thru them and clean all of them ? Any opinions here would be appreciated..
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Check all the voltages on the individual modules, see if they are close to 7.5v

    If less than that, I suggest you find a way to charge that battery up and balance it before installing it

    Yes clean the bus bars
     
  3. Dave Holbrook

    Dave Holbrook Junior Member

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    Ok, so clean the bus bars, while its apart check voltages, if all is good and voltage is within the .3 V, what should I do to charge the battery and balance the cells? DO I have to go thru each cell and charge/discharge with a grid charger?
     
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I'm thinking your modules will not need a grid charger right now. Just check each module with a multimeter, I think it'll be right around 7.5v. Only the end modules should differ.

    A grid charger would charge and top balance the entire pack in about 24 hours
     
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  5. Dave Holbrook

    Dave Holbrook Junior Member

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    Removed and cleaned the bus bars, not really bad on the corrosion, all cells are at 7.62V. Do i need to do anything else? You mention top balancing, can you explain that procedure..
     
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  6. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    You are a prime candidate for implementing a grid charging regiment. Not sure how much you drive but another 100k of driving is typically 4-8 yrs.
     
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Just install it, you're good at 7.6v

    Top balance is charging the entire battery pack to balance them. But I don't think it's necessary on your pack
     
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  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Top end balancing is a charging process that gets all modules to the same voltage.

    This helps ensure that before you discharge, everyone is at the same place.
     
  9. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Sounds good to me....2009 we have heard very few HV batt fails and 90K indicates more life in it. I think you are on the right track, whereas junkyard Gen2 batteries has gone out of favor, I think you have hit on a good chance of success, and it sounds like you have enough DIY skills to pull it off.
     
  10. Dave Holbrook

    Dave Holbrook Junior Member

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    I have replaced cells and have had some success, just trying to get a little more detailed with the process. I never did get a hobby charger to recharge individual cells, But i do have a spare pack now to experiment with. Going to reinstall the bus bars, just went to advance auto and got some dielectric grease for them and we'll put this back together. Thanks for the replys.
     
  11. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Hi! Not quite sure where this fits maybe under Gen1 threads...there are some former Gen1 owners who might have ideas.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    i have asked the mods to move it to the gen 1 forum.

    you should start by getting a prius aware code reader, and reading the trouble codes.

    then subscribe to tech info.toyota.com for service manual and code troubleshooting.

    how many miles on her?

    all the best!(y)
     
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You don't need to put dielectric grease on them
     
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  14. Pris2002gen2R

    Pris2002gen2R New Member

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    225,615 with very little back knowledge of the car next want to change trans,fluid probably never has been change?
     
  15. Dave Holbrook

    Dave Holbrook Junior Member

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    UPdate on install... Finished up the battery today and everything went well. I'll put some serious miles on it this week and give another update on mileage, so far only put 15 miles on it but seems really strong and no codes or red triangle. Thanks everyone for the help and encouragement.
     
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