1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

2012 plugin battery upgrades?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Noah L, May 12, 2024.

  1. Noah L

    Noah L New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2024
    7
    1
    0
    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Hi all this is my first post as I am now a Prius owner.

    I have a 2012 Prius plug in advanced and am wondering if anyone knows a good list of places or sites to find lithium versions of the hybrid battery cells (or whole battteries). I already know about Nexcell and their plugin battery replacement option but they are currently out of stock. Or if possible if anyone knows if the gen 4 plugins/primes (or other model hybrids) have the same battery cells (preferably lithium) that can be swapped into the my 2012 plugin instead and still have improved use.

    thanks!
     
    bisco likes this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,585
    49,338
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    idk of any other places. very few gen 3 plug ins have failed, so there wouldn't be much call.

    idk about gen 4 prime modules, maybe you could get hold of one at a salvage yard or ebay to compare.
    voltage and amps should be in the service manual or new car features. both available at techinfo.toyota.com
     
  3. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2020
    1,269
    333
    3
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I think I am the only one with the knowledge you seek... I have the only other Gen 1 Plugin to my knowledge with the lithium cells from Nexcell...

    https://black.jmyntrn.com/2023/09/16/prius-plug-in-hv-battery-upgraded-to-8-8kwh/?utm_source=PriusChat&utm_medium=weblinkt&utm_campaign=commentlinkMay upload_2024-5-20_18-21-48.png

    I also own a 2017 Prime, and after examining its battery case, I can confirm that the cells are different. What you're aiming to do is simpler than it might seem. So far, the cells in the Nexcell battery are the only ones I've found with the exact terminal placement needed to use the original equipment (OE) battery harness. I've identified the exact cells Nexcell uses and am now searching for taller, higher-capacity versions. My goal is to achieve more than 13.6 kWh in the 2023 Prime by using these taller, higher-capacity batteries. I've already designed mock-ups for battery case top extenders, which will allow me to secure the battery top even with the taller cells. Additionally, I have the OE harness connectors (both male and female) to extend the harnesses to the ECU, ensuring it remains connected after the installation of the taller cells.

    There's also a new vehicle with battery cells that I believe will be compatible with these cars. I've informed all the auto dismantlers I know to contact me as soon as they have or are about to acquire this vehicle. I want to know the condition of the vehicle and other components for experimentation. Theoretically, I should be able to achieve around 50 kWh of battery capacity, potentially boosting the EV range to 100 miles. I just need a laser 3D scanner to scan the Prime clutch sprague, so I can reverse-engineer it to fit the 2.0L motor I have installed in my plug-in, using the Gen 3 transaxle. This way, I can drive at 80 mph in EV mode like the Prime. After all, what’s the point of upgraded batteries without the capability to drive in EV mode at higher speeds?

    Additionally, my goal of upgrading the charging system is closer than ever. I aim to charge this 50 kWh battery in less than an hour. Given that the Gen 4 Prime can charge an 8.8 kWh battery in just 16 minutes, this seems achievable.


    Regarding the DIY approach, I know it's possible and I have the know-how to do it, but with the NexCell battery available, it's no longer necessary for me. I understand the process, but I doubt most Prius owners are as daring as I am. Additionally, I don't want to undermine Jack's work and risk losing him as a valuable resource for all my projects, including those planned for later this year that aren't Prius-related.

    https://black.jmyntrn.com/2024/01/16/diy-hybrid-high-voltage-hv-battery-with-capacity-increase/?utm_source=PriusChat&utm_medium=weblinkt&utm_campaign=commentlinkMay
    upload_2024-5-20_18-32-58.png
     
  4. Noah L

    Noah L New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2024
    7
    1
    0
    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    How does one become worthy of the ability to get the nexcell kit lol. If I could I would buy the cells seperately from the kit if I knew how to find the exact model of prismatic battery but just a newer more efficient one. Or if there was a way to retro-fit two sets of the regular nexcell prius lithium kits. What vehicle are you looking at that may have battery modules that might fit? Im also highly intrigued of the possibility to upgrade the electric axle for more practical speeds. I also have interest in the edison motors diesel electric retrofits for pickups but that seems like a much bigger financial hole that I don't think Im willing to dive into yet.
     
  5. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2020
    1,269
    333
    3
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    bud, you have to be kicked down by the entire forum, and other water holes online and not care about what they say because while they do all the talking you've been doing lots of work. this is how you won't find them disputing or contradicting me nor the build process this far because they have never done it. I barely got the obd2 PCB board pulling what I need to feed the electric motor controller. the whole chademo charging is the next battle which I hope is easier. its possible I can acquire this battery I think will work, was offered some mirai cells, just hadtnt looked into them yet so I had them held for the time being.

    this is the thing, alllll the new phev's on the market, for the most part have inner changeable parts to an extent. The toyo/lexus parts, the battery and charging I've gotten a good handle on, its the use of say the new 500h drivetrain or even rear motor system in conjunction with it all that Im not timid about as I know I'm gonna wreck my head against a wall there for some time.,
     
  6. p2013

    p2013 New Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2024
    3
    1
    0
    Location:
    Hungary
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    N/A
    is it possible to change batteries only?
    i mean in the orig pack there are 288 Liion cells 96s3p. total voltage: 345V
    Is it possible to use Lifepo4 cells instead?
    108x3.2V(30Ah). I would build another battery box of course.
    If there are some voltage metering in the orig pack, how it is wired?
    This would be the cheapest option for a 11kWh battery in a Gen1 plugin Prius if it is feasible.
    EV mode is working below 96km/h and it is enough in the city.
     
  7. Noah L

    Noah L New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2024
    7
    1
    0
    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to look up I have found one site that has LiFePo4 prismatic cells that looks almost identical but they are instead 50ah cells. I’ll try to add the link to one of the sites I found. However I have learned all the keywords to actually find the cell type that looks nearly identical to the original batteries. Lithium iron phosphate prismatic cells 50ah seems to actually get me in the right direction to finding something that could possibly replace the original ones.
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,585
    49,338
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    idk if the bms can handle it, you might be the first to try
     
  9. Noah L

    Noah L New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2024
    7
    1
    0
    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
  10. Noah L

    Noah L New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2024
    7
    1
    0
    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Can it be upgraded or modified to handle such a change?
     
  11. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2020
    1,269
    333
    3
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,585
    49,338
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    sure, but you'd have to be brilliant because you'd be the first to try, other than the nexcell
     
  13. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2020
    1,269
    333
    3
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    its not rocket science and actually easier than folks make it out to be. the PHEV is a lot easier than the non PHEV.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,585
    49,338
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    it's close though. otherwise, more would have done it. priuschat is littered with threads from people who wanted to do it, but never did.
     
  15. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2020
    1,269
    333
    3
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    not that close... I think most threads arent on the PHEV tho. That the key here at least based on what I know now. My 2009 is the only non-PHEV I have experience with and I just threw Lithium in there and called it a day. Now, I am on to making my own battery harness for my PHEV to install battery cells whose terminals dont match that of the PHEV. I'm hoping this company says yes to my request of making the terminal wires based on the specs I send versus the other way and need to manually do the cutting to size process.