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2012 Prius C Hybrid Battery replacement options

Discussion in 'Prius c Technical Discussion' started by SilverWagon, Jul 26, 2024 at 6:56 PM.

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  1. SilverWagon

    SilverWagon New Member

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    I've been reading that I can order an older, Gen 2, Hybrid battery from a Toyota dealer and swap out the modules with my 2012 prius C. I dont know of this is true. Has anyone done this? If so, which battery did you purchase and how much was it?

    I recently went to the junk yard and I purchased a used 2018 Prius C hybrid battery with 112k miles on it. I have a 30 day return window. I thought I would open it up and test the modules and then turn in the core but I like the idea above if it's possible.

    Please let me know asap!
    Thanks!
     
    #1 SilverWagon, Jul 26, 2024 at 6:56 PM
  2. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Active Member

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    A Toyota dealership will only sell you a new OEM HV battery!
     
    #2 Brian1954, Jul 26, 2024 at 7:23 PM
  3. SilverWagon

    SilverWagon New Member

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    Yes. That's why I said, " I can order an older, Gen 2, Hybrid battery from a Toyota dealer and swap out the modules with my 2012 prius C." What did I say that was confusing?
     
    #3 SilverWagon, Jul 26, 2024 at 10:23 PM
  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Physical unit terms, from individual up to the largest group used in the context of a Prius:

    Cell
    Module
    Battery

    A 2nd generation Prius battery is divided into 28 modules, each containing 6 cells.

    In strict electrical terms, a Prius module is a battery because it contains multiple cells. However, we need a clear way of distinguishing the difference between a "package of 6 cells" and the "full finished metal box with a whole car's worth" in it. Hence the term module.

    The Prius c battery only has 20 modules, so it is physically smaller than that of a 2nd generation Prius.

    So the easiest fix for you is to swap the entire c battery in your car for another c battery. Toyota will cheerfully sell you a new complete battery with core exchange, and there are used ones available from a variety of sellers.

    Your idea would work- you can buy the 2nd generation Prius battery new from Toyota, and swap any 20 of its modules for all of yours. That's a lot more labor with many more chances to make mistakes. Remember, you'd have to get both batteries back together properly: One for your car's sake and the other so you can get your core deposit back from Toyota.

    This would be worth doing if the two battery prices were very far apart... but I've never seen them that far apart.
     
    #4 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jul 27, 2024 at 1:00 AM
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2024 at 1:06 AM
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  5. SilverWagon

    SilverWagon New Member

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    Thank you for your detailed response.

    The reason I asked the original question is because some of the comments in posts were saying they found 2nd gen prius batteries for $1600 to $1800 from a dealer. I thought that would be a great deal of they could be dismantled and swapped with a gen 3 battery.

    I've never done it before but I don't think it would be difficult to put the two batteries back together so that the gen 2 would be able to get the core charge back. It's not like rebuilding an engine. Just take pictures and notes along the way.

    The other option is keeping the Battery i got from the junk yard and testing the modules in it. Then at swapping the modules with lower test scores. There are a lot of tutorials on this; youtube certified!... hehe

    What do you think?
     
    #5 SilverWagon, Jul 27, 2024 at 5:10 PM
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2024 at 7:44 PM
  6. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Active Member

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    The word "older." I read it quickly as "old," sorry for the confusion that I caused with my previous post.
     
    #6 Brian1954, Jul 27, 2024 at 5:23 PM
  7. SilverWagon

    SilverWagon New Member

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    No worries, man. I'm horrible with english and I'm also new to the hybrid scene. I'm coming from 5 different TDI venison I'm green to this.
     
    #7 SilverWagon, Jul 27, 2024 at 7:46 PM
  8. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    it's all possible, there is no one correct way to do this.

    It depends on the availability of your time, money and also your preferences. Some people don't mind removing their battery every 6 weeks and swapping out a few weak modules for other used modules, because that doesn't cost very much money.

    You get more error messages, driving performance issues and risk needing to be towed home more often. If you don't mind that plus doing the work and can afford that random downtime then that might be the right way for you.

    Others will prefer to spend an hour swapping the battery assembly for a brand new one when the car is 10-12 years old, and then never having to think about it again. Doing it that way involves that one big bill, but no recurring hassles or risk.
     
    #8 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jul 28, 2024 at 12:45 AM
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