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Prius Battery Replacement (GenII) Like you've never seen - NEW Cylindrical Cells

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by 2k1Toaster, Jul 17, 2017.

  1. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Thankyou for the review! Glad it is working out for you! Hopefully this will breathe new life into your brother's Prius as well.
     
  2. James1964

    James1964 Member

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    Want one.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  3. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    My 2017 Prius Two and many of the current Camry Hybrids beg to differ. NiMH is still current although Toyota says they now use a higher grade of nickel.
     
  4. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Go to his website mentioned in my signature. Newpriusbatteries.com
     
  5. GasperG

    GasperG Senior Member

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    Would be interesting to see how that $150/KWh Li-ion cells would cope with 10-20 C rate... ;)

    Tesla ~75 kWh pack is used under 1 C in normal driving situations, under 2 C on supercharger and 4 C at max acceleration.
     
  6. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    .... and, their setup is liquid/thermally managed, which is why after billions of miles, the fleet's logged miles (the 1,000's that have already reached & passed) in excess of 150K miles have average only 5%-10% capacity loss. Means your 250 mile range after 150k miles is still able to get you 230 miles. It's all about shedding heat, whether it's nickel metal or a lithium chemistry.
    .
     
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  7. GasperG

    GasperG Senior Member

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    Maybe it would be better to quote $/kg of battery...
     
  8. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    why ... different chemistries store different quantities of energy.
    .
     
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  9. Cyvan

    Cyvan Junior Member

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    And apparently the new Toyota Rav4 Hybrid too.

    I was wondering about that though. Since they've had Lithium batteries for a number of years why are the new cars still using NiMH? I presume they're also sticking to the prismatic form factor. Any insights @2k1Toaster ?
     
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  10. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I know thety have stated the the Lithium batteries may not perform well in cold weather. I think @Tideland Prius may have some Toyota information on that from the 2016 reveal.
     
  11. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    The automotive industry is probably one of the best examples of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". The NiMH batteries are proven, and proven reliable. They also work perfectly for what they're intended to be, hybrid only energy stores for when the engine is off.
     
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    They've been very reliable for Toyota and have been a staple of the hybrid lineup. They have made improvements but haven't been specific about it other than calling the latest ones "Hyper Prime NiMH". I think it's by Panasonic so maybe a search for "Hyper Prime" battery and "Panasonic" might yield some results.

    So far, Toyota's use of Li-Ion batteries have been for weight reduction rather than performance enhancement. The Prius+ sold in Europe with 7-seats used Li-Ion to save weight and reduce its size (it was placed under the centre console between the front seats, rather than under the floor like our Prius v models). In the Gen 4, it's been used to reduce weight on the higher trim or on the Eco model. (I guess for Gen 4.5, it's the L Eco, LE, XLE and Limited). I don't know why the AWD-e doesn't have Li-Ion (cause that would match with the weight saving theme) but maybe it's the composition of the battery that doesn't allow for a rapid discharge from two electric motors (MG2 and MGR)? I don't know, I'm just speculating at this point.

    Lastly, there's cost. The NiMH is much cheaper for Toyota because they've invested a lot into it (they have been in the hybrid game since the end of 1997) so the cost of development has been spread over many models and over time.
     
  13. GasperG

    GasperG Senior Member

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    AWD for snowy conditions
    NiMh better for the cold weather?
     
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  14. Fred_H

    Fred_H Misoversimplifier

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    Ever wonder why most cars, and even most of the newest, most expensive, and highest performance cars still use lead-acid batteries?
     
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  15. prnico

    prnico Junior Member

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    I can't yet post links here but I notice a gen 2 currently for sale in Belgium with a photo of a bill for a battery replacement in November 2017.

    It seems to show a battery pack price of 1535 euros in Belgium, which I'm guessing is without 21% VAT so that would make it about 1857 euros over the counter price without labour. Assuming my guesswork is correct, the 2285 euros credit card slip also seems to show the labour was a bit over 400 euros.
     
  16. toymo

    toymo Junior Member

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    NiMH is done. Lithium-ion base batteries are the future.

    Beg to differ?

    I'm actually done with you. Your point, @Fred_H, has absolutely nothing to do with the topic of HV battery systems, for that matter. Try again.

    Maybe, I should be a little bit more verbose for some of you. Just maybe...

    Both @2k1Toaster and @Tideland Prius have made corroborating statements and very good supporting economic reasons (of cost saving $/kWh and overall weight cutting) as to why these new Lithium-Ion based batteries are the future choice for car manufacturers such as TESLA and further gave supporting claims as to why NiMH is still a mainstay in HV battery offerings despite it's well-known short comings. When I meant "NiMH is done" it is to casually say that future upcoming car manufacturers like TESLA have decided to go with Li-Ion instead for future production.
     
  17. Aztechmaster

    Aztechmaster Member

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  18. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Has nothing to do with where its sold. This is a replacement part. If you buy the part over the counter and install it yourself or have reputable independent shop do it, you get 1 year unlimited miles. If you get a dealership to do it, 3 year unlimited miles. If you are a fleet vehicle like a taxi, Uber, or Lyft, you get zero. Zero miles, zero days warranty.
     
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  19. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    1857EUR is close to what I'd expect. Toyota's got to pay VAT just like everyone else, and they are not quietly absorbing the cost. Thanks for the info!
     
  20. Aztechmaster

    Aztechmaster Member

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    Curious. I specialized in emission repairs in the valley.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.