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New Hybrid Battery advancements?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by ukiltmybrutha, Jul 5, 2021.

  1. ukiltmybrutha

    ukiltmybrutha Member

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    I haven't been around in a while but I recall reading an article or two asserting that a new hybrid battery is available for the 2nd generation that gives something crazy like 8mpg and way more passing power on the highway. I thought that I bookmarked it but can't seem to find it anywhere.

    Sorry to be vague. I figure if this breakthrough was real it would be plastered all over the site but a cursory look reveals nothing.

    Maybe I missed something?

    EDIT: I believe it was or was related to the below article. The one I read had them ready but in limited supply. Maybe it was edited or something.....?

    Refresh Your Old Toyota Prius With A New Li-ion Battery Pack | Torque News

    Maybe some nexus to this:

    Prius Gen2, Gen3 Lithium upgrade pack - 14 blocks– NexPower Energy

    Thanks.
     
    #1 ukiltmybrutha, Jul 5, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2021
  2. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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  3. ukiltmybrutha

    ukiltmybrutha Member

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    Yes, that is what I linked to effectively on my second link. All out of stock.

    Is it the bee's knees or no good?
     
  4. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    I’d also like to hear anyone’s experience with it. For $1900 and two hours to self install it looks too good to be true.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it is fairly new. there has been quite a bit of testing, but i suppose there's some long term risk compared to oem or other new nimh cells.

    there are a few threads here with plenty of member testing and information
     
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  6. ukiltmybrutha

    ukiltmybrutha Member

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    Thanks guys. Amazing that it's all sold out.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    they are probably starting out slow, in case there are any production glitches
     
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  8. Toddwilks

    Toddwilks Active Member

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    You
    Can get a brand new oem one from Toyota directly for 1600-1675.

    I still think it’s hard to go aftermarket when the oem battery lasts more than 10 years.


    iPhone ?
     
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  9. ukiltmybrutha

    ukiltmybrutha Member

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    Probably.
     
  10. ukiltmybrutha

    ukiltmybrutha Member

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    Interesting.....assuming that doesn't include labor or the alleged benefits of the new battery? If not, I'd rather upgrade while I am in there personally.
     
  11. Toddwilks

    Toddwilks Active Member

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    So what are the benefits?

    To each is own.

    I just don’t understand upgrading on a proven system that will last another 10+ years and has the track record to prove it.


    iPhone ?
     
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  12. ukiltmybrutha

    ukiltmybrutha Member

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    Already articulated in post 1 and the below URLs: (Not trying to be a smarty pants it's just that they can state their claim better than I can).

    Prius Gen2, Gen3, CT200h Lithium upgrade pack - 14 blocks– NexPower Energy

    Additional MPG/Range/acceleration.

    I don't disagree with you on reliability and not sure if this battery is up to snuff.
     
  13. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I guess we'll know for sure after a dozen years or so, but we'll have to learn it from the early adopters who try it to find out.

    I wonder how much long term data will end up available; after a Prius is old enough to have one battery swap, how many will still be in the fleet a dozen more years after that?

    Those could be (a) eligible for classic car plates in some places, and (b) hard to find lots of parts for.
     
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  14. bisco

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    unfortunately, long term data is hard to come by in oem batteries as well
     
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  15. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    A lot of people have a pretty good idea how long their first OEM battery has lasted.
     
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  16. donbright

    donbright Active Member

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    basically a lot of us with a bit of risk tolerance and DIY enthusiasm have already bought a newpriusbatteries NiMH pack which is cheaper by several hundred dollars.

    the few folks experimenting with Lithium are very adventurous first adopters, there are huge unknowns with LiFePo4 chemistry using the stock Prius battery ECU which was custom designed for NiMH chemistry.

    usually when you put battery chemistry X into a charging algorithm built for different battery chemistry Y, there are Very Bad Things that can happen.
     
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  17. R-P

    R-P Active Member

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    The NiMH solution thread mentiones that many, many Toyota dealers won't sell complete packs to individuals and also need the old pack back (so no selling off the used modules to save some money).

    Classic cars are best kept original, so this is one of the (in my subjective point of view) first good points I see to go for the Toyota pack :LOL:
     
  18. Another

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    I would bet there are more than one Toyota dealers in VA that would sell one. And introducing the issue of no selling the used pack is a red herring. Pick up the phone and enquire.
     
  19. R-P

    R-P Active Member

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    Obviously do your own due diligence before deciding on any option! My Toyota dealer (located near Rotterdam, Netherlands) doesn't need the old pack back at all, so a new pack (under 2k$ (price when I asked in 2017-2018)) is not burdened with the extra deposit of a couple of hunderd $ that you can get back when returning the old pack, but from what I heard so far, that is needed in the USA.
    Not sure what you mean by "introducing the issue of no selling the used pack is a red herring"?
     
  20. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Last time I checked in my location in the US, the extra deposit was $1300 (not "a couple" hundred), on top of the dealer price of the pack. Nearly enough to buy some aftermarket packs outright.
     
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