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Recommended source for replacement traction batteries?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by M.C. Ainsworth, Jul 7, 2020.

  1. M.C. Ainsworth

    M.C. Ainsworth Junior Member

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    So here's the deal. The traction battery in my wife's 07 HiHy is on the way out the door. It hasn't set a triangle of death just yet, but I know it will soon. Yeah, I know the HiHy isnt a Prius, but I do realize its similar enough that I can ask here for suggestions.

    So, outside of the stealership wanting $5850+labor for a new trac pac, what other options are recommended by the community?

    If it matters, I'm in FL, and I'm a competent enough wrench to R&R it myself. I am just looking for suggestions for decent rebuilders?

    I'm kind of eyeing GreenBean, but wanted to ask the peanut gallery first. :D
     
    Haschwalt likes this.
  2. Bibster

    Bibster Junior Member

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    until someone else can give you a better answer, I've seen people recommending newpriusbatteries.com

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  3. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    What the heck is a HiHy ??

    And as you are checking various places out, just be SURE that they are selling entire banks of NEW cells.......NOT tested cells recovered from old batteries.
    There is no way to make "recycled" cells or batteries reliable.
     
  4. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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  5. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    Agreed. If you see the word "reconditioned," immediately go elsewhere, even if they say "lifetime guarantee." For details, do a search for "whack a mole" in this forum.
     
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  6. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    Green bean is a good place to go since they have a lifetime warranty and it is transferable once you sell your car. I understand people here are like stay away from reconditioned stuff but the reality is, they end up buying one from some forum promoted person on here or buying one elsewhere. Then the buyer never opens their pack so how would they know whats inside?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  7. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    IF.....they are selling "reconditioned" or "rebuilt" batteries that do NOT use all new cells........then they are NOT a good place to go.

    Owners with those kind of replacements come here OFTEN to report that they have to exercise their warranty about every 3 months, seemingly forever. Who wants that kind of hassle ???
     
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  8. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    .

    Which is *exactly* Green Bean's business model and the reason many members here avoid GB.

    OP: There is one member who joined about a month ago and has posed a barrage of messages during that short period of time in defense Green Bean. While he sounds just like a commercial, he says he has no affiliation with the company. You really should read his messages in context to get the full story.

     
  9. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    Check with Todd at Tampa Hybrids. He's the expert closest to you.

    Another resource is http://www.car-part.com . That will let you see what's available in every junkyard in the country. Highlander batteries do not fail at the rate Prius batteries do. A fresh junkyard battery from a cool climate is still a decent option for Highlander battery replacement.
     
  10. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    Wow you went through all that trouble huh? What about all the people with green bean batteries who have come here in search of help because the batteries suck? Wouldnt that be better to show? I dont work for green bean if I did dont you think I would have got one from them at an employee discount?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  11. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    Where are these people with green bean batteries? Show me there posts like this ol jonny cakes did.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  12. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    There have been some that posted with a bad reconditioned battery, but of course the ones who never had a problem never posted at all. These guys here insist that nothing is good enough unless it's new. Hey here's one for you....being the tightw....errr thrifty guy I am, I bought 4 used tires for my used salvage titled Prius. And none of the brands are the same. That was 15 months ago. They for sure won't last as long as new ones will....and I had a problem with one,,,it developed a slight bulge on the sidewall. The replaced it no charge. I paid $40 each for the tires including mounting and balancing. So for that price I'm satisfied with what I got. Why can't it be the same with a battery?
     
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  13. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    So there are a few who can see all these wise guys.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  14. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Do your own search.
    THEIR posts should pop right up.
    OR admit that you have a dog in the fight.
     
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  15. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Because a battery is not a tire.
    Batteries wear out just sitting in years; tires take decades.
     
  16. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    I've used this analogy before except you're forgetting an important aspect: the supply of used tires is (seemingly) never ending while the supply of specific battery modules is reduced every year (gen 2 prius sales peaked in 2007) and the surviving cells are lower performing (weaker). So imagine those used tires are a minimum of 10 years old; regardless of their tread thickness, those aren't great tires anymore.

    Buying a used/rebuilt gen 2 pack made a whole lot more sense/cents a decade ago; now, not so much. Back then it was not uncommon for folks to pick up a perfectly good pack from the junk yard for $400 that would last another 100k miles and many more years. Now, that's just a fond memory of the old days.
     
  17. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    You really need to do a search and you will find all the negative Green Bean posts, if you are really interested and not just a shill.

    But maybe you are part of this army:
    As another search, try Googling "review farm."
     
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  18. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    Ahhh couldnt pull up a bunch of posts huh. SMH just as I thought.

    Look you clowns need to stop assuming I work for these companies.

    Should I say omg you work for toaster or for priusbatteries??

    One post from a person complaining about reviews on their website???

    This has been a paid commercial
    Brought to you by....

    Not someone who works for them.



    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  19. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    According to today’s politics narrative, you’re guilty until proven innocent. Until then, you work for them :ROFLMAO:
     
  20. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    Well...I guess they owe me a months worth of pay, Ol' jonny cupcakes is the bookie keeping tabs on my hours.



    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    Johnny Cakes likes this.