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2010 Prius II HV Battery Reconditioning

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Raytheeagle, Jun 3, 2017.

  1. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    The entire process is called reconditioning ;).

    It is composed of a harness, charger and if you will be cycling the pack: a Discharger.

    I have the Intelligent Discharger which has no light bulbs to take the voltage of the pack down. I also share this with a Gen2 and another Gen3 owner here which helps keep the costs low:).

    I do a top end balance (use the charger only) once a year typically around October or November. I do a two cycle reconditioning 134 and 84 volts usually around Easter.

    In this thread you’ll find pics and more details;).

    Hope that helps (y).
     
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  2. Mr. Prius

    Mr. Prius Junior Member

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    What is “cycling the pack” , “top end balance”, and “a two cycle reconditioning “? I just arrived from another planet


    iPhone ?
     
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  3. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Cycling the pack: varying the voltage to affect or change the “memory” of the cells and modules. Since toyota has the hv battery managed in a defined window of space the cells develop a memory and if you take them outside of this, they then lose that memory.

    Top end balance: using the charger to fill and hold the hv battery at full charge (this is higher than the car management system allows). Top end balancing gets all the cells in the same page.

    Two cycle reconditioning: using the Discharger two times to take the pack to a lower voltage then charge the pack up. So in my example, the first cycle is to charge the pack to get all the cells on the same page, then discharge to 134 volts. Once it achieves 134 volts, charge the pack back up to full and let it stabilize. That is one cycle.

    Hope that helps (y).
     
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  4. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    The instructions say to let it cool for a while before charging. That is essential. I have a thread on what can happen if you forget to let it cool.

    I like the extra precaution of pulling down the charge a little before driving. Otherwise, the engine will start up and it can conceivably add even more charge to an already full battery before the BMS has had time to register that the battery is already at 100% soc when it normally tops out at about 83%. I think it's easier on the battery to leave a little buffer there. Just my slightly paranoid opinion. ;)

    I suppose you could put it in neutral right away when you start it and run the air conditioner and/or headlights to do the same thing since it won't charge the traction battery while in neutral.
     
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  5. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Won't the computer turn off or lower the charging rate once the hybrid battery reaches a certain voltage?
    And the same for the 12v battery. So neither gets over charged.
    If you were heading down a mountain and the battery was a full charge, it would continue to charge it and over charge it.
    The engine wouldn't have to run, the regeneration would charge.
    I would think the computer would know the charge/voltage and either lower the amperage so it would just maintain it
    or trickle charge it.
     
  6. Cyvan

    Cyvan Junior Member

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    You charged the battery while the system was off so sometimes it takes a few minutes for the system to recognize the new actual SOC, because it wasn't where it left it. During this time it could try to charge the battery. After a full charge my correct SoC didn't register until I disconnected the 12v for 60 secs.
     
  7. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    ...and if the car does not recognize the fully charged pack, you could kill your pack. Just ask @jerrymildred (or not).
     
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  8. Cody26

    Cody26 Junior Member

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    One small thing, to let it cool during the cycles too?
     
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  9. Mr. Prius

    Mr. Prius Junior Member

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    That does! Thanks!
     
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  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I think that @Cyvan answered your main question very well. It takes a while, as I said, for the system to become aware of the new state of charge ("it can conceivably add even more charge to an already full battery before the BMS has had time to register that the battery is already at 100% soc").

    As to going down hill for long distances, it still won't over charge the battery. It will use engine braking instead of regenerative braking once the battery is at the max permitted soc. If that's not enough, you just have to use the hydraulic brakes like one of those primitive ICE only vehicles.
     
  11. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Not really necessary. It's charging very slowly and the battery fan is kept at max speed.
     
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  12. Kuang

    Kuang Member

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    "update"
    I do not top off HV battery 5 weeks and see it is weaker, the engine works harder and more oil consumption.
     
  13. Cody26

    Cody26 Junior Member

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    I think that's is true. Btw, where can I find your instructions?
     
  14. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Did I say "let it cool before charging?" Yup, I did. Sorry about that. I meant to say to let it cool before DRIVING. Sure wish I could go back and edit that one. During the charge/discharge process, there is no need to wait between charge/discharge, as I said in another post, because it's not heating that much. It's just a really bad idea to jump in and drive it right after jamming every electron into the battery that it can hold. The car's computer doesn't know about that yet and will try to add more.

    As for instruction, I use the ones from the manufacturer:
    Prolong Grid Charger Product Guides – Hybrid Automotive

    They are quite good when followed correctly.
     
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  15. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Did a short top end balance today since the air quality was poor:
    AA5FE6C3-064E-4F9A-93D7-56CDECA1F440.jpeg

    Starting at 8:30 this morning:

    D7B9A2CD-3F05-4595-BD31-C5AD3CAB52C6.jpeg

    Had to shut it down at 1:30 as I need the car at 3 for an unexpected trip :cool:.

    It was sitting at 239 volts for 2 hours prior to pulling the plug.

    But the mpgs prior had been good:
    888D7A3A-09CB-4DF8-9D42-C7BB354EA9B1.jpeg

    Making sure the battery is in good shape for our trip to mickeys Funland at the end of the month(y).
     
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  16. jeff652

    jeff652 Senior Member

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    Very nice. have fun. We are working our way east to the other mouse wallet extractor location
     
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  17. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    How long will you be there:whistle:?

    We visit family in Palm Desert over the weekend, then spend a week at Disneyland :).

    You spend much time here anymore, or still traveling the country :cool:?

    I’d be nice to grab a bite and chat sometime you’re back around here for awhile(y).
     
  18. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Starting the top end balance of the 2 cycle reconditioning process:

    0145DD12-DF7B-43BB-8F81-2763EFDBAE13.jpeg

    We’ll see what the voltage is in the morning before the discharge begins (y).
     
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  19. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    You need your sleep. Never post or start a reconditioning process when tired.
    Your photo is downside up. :)
     
  20. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    That's what makes laptops nice. You can flip them over and see the picture right-side up. A phone will keep the picture upside down. :LOL: