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85 AH AGM marine deep cycle battery for my Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by geedub, Aug 25, 2024 at 3:03 PM.

  1. geedub

    geedub Member

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    Hi all, long time-no read!

    I'm camping full time in my 2013 Prius, and running the AC most nights. Wondering if a battery with more AH would result in less frequent recharging.

    Also, would this allow for a larger inverter than 1000 watts?

    Thanks!

    Amazon.com: Vmaxtanks MR107-85 12V 85AH Marine AGM SLA Deep Cycle Battery Ideal for Boats and 30lb-55lb Thrust Minn Kota, Newport Vessels, Cobra, Sevylor and Other trolling Motors. BCI Group 24 : Automotive
     
  2. ForestBeekeeper

    ForestBeekeeper Active Member

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    I am not sure whether the vehicle recharges its 12vdc battery at a faster rate depending on its level of charge.

    Changing out your deep cycle battery to one with more amperage would allow it to more easily feed a bigger inverter, but, therein lies the danger. With a bigger inverter, you will use heavier loads, which will drain the battery faster.
     
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  3. geedub

    geedub Member

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    Yes, the goal is to allow heavier loads, but how would that be a danger given a battery with more Ah?
     
  4. geedub

    geedub Member

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    Sorry, my brain gets rattled when I start thinking about electronics. I know that the AC runs off of the traction battery, so I assume no difference what 12 volt I have.

    I'm in the middle of deciding about whether I should install a new head gasket and traction battery which is needed, or get a different Prius (gen 3), or get a Prius wagon, or maybe a Sienna if I can find a decent deal...
     
  5. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    You're all over the place with vehicles I wouldn't fix a generation 3 I have two of them sitting here that's just not worthy of the repairs generally least that's my take on it. Going from a Prius to a sienna van that's quite a change gas and everything I don't think you'll run the air conditioner all night in the Siena van unless you're getting a hybrid one which that's quite costly My 2002 or whatever sienna van was rock solid 1MZFE engine still running today with over 300K on it a friend of mine owns it and drives it daily It's a solid vehicle but it's nothing like the prius's gas mileage and run all night and air conditioning and all that business I would think with the sienna van you'd be able to get a battery bank and have two good size solar panels on the roof when when and desired things like that give you more space for sure depends on how much you're moving rolling driving etc.
     
  6. geedub

    geedub Member

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    Whatever I get will be a hybrid. I would certainly get a new or newer Sienna hybrid if they weren't so scarce/expensive. It seems to me that a gen 3 with a new battery and head gasket would run reliably for a long time. Todd just sold a gen 3 with 550K miles on it. Anyway, as a car dweller I depend on the generator aspec of a hybrid.
     
  7. ForestBeekeeper

    ForestBeekeeper Active Member

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    We don't know what loads you want to run off your 12vdc battery.

    If you increase how much current your 12vdc can run, a week later you will be tempted to get som other big load.
     
  8. geedub

    geedub Member

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    Not sure I follow. I've had a 1200 watt pure sine inverter installed in this car for 4 years without an issue. I've read that 1000w is the safe max (hi Chapman!), so I've been judicious with it. If I'm able to increase the wattage used, than I'll just operate within those limits. I have enough discipline to stay within limits, even longer than a week! ;) In other words, the loads I want to run are whatever are recommended to be within safe limits...
     
  9. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Some people install a 2nd battery on the drivers side. It take some minor modification,
    and they install an automatic switch when one battery gets low. It also adjusts which
    battery gets charged. They even install a solar panel for charging.

    If the engine is burning oil, a remanufactured one would probably be best, unless you don't
    drive a lot of miles. I installed the lithium hybrid battery in may. It lasts a very long time when
    I have the A/C on when the car is sitting with the dogs in it. I'm happy about that!
    I've been very happy with it.

     
  10. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    The 1200 is the max, and it's not for long periods of time.... So the car can handle it.
    And since the car is in ready mode, the inverter is running it, not the 12v battery.

     
  11. geedub

    geedub Member

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    Thanks. Yes, I'm aware many people run additional batteries, solar, etc., but I'm fine living within the limits of a simple inverter running off of the 12 volt. I don't understand the need for extra batteries or solar charging. This is from someone who had lived in their Prius for a total of about 2 years. If a simple battery upgrade will allow me to run a bit more wattage, then I'll take that.
     
  12. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It depends on what you are running. Some people have microwaves and refridgerators!
    A 2nd battery in parallel would give you the little extra insurance in case you forget to start
    the car and drain the battery.
    I live in my Prius half the time... I drive and drive and drive..... hours on end.

    Happy Camping!

     
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  13. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Oh, you might want to check out walfart, they have lithium batteries now.... And they cost less.
     
  14. geedub

    geedub Member

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    I've been running a Dometic 28 quart since 2020, although lately I tend to stay with friends and use shore power. I won't forget to start the car, and if I did I keep a lithium jump battery around. :)
     
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  15. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    So if you're happy with everything and everything's good and you don't spend a lot of time driving the car just living in it oh hell you can probably run the air conditioner and the heat with it rattling away for quite some time My guess would be and then when it totally bites the dust then you do whatever it is you're talking about. Even an older sienna van like my 2001 or two with a few batteries in it and three panels on top of the roof depending upon where you are that might run you pretty good for a good while I don't generally sleep with heat on ever even when it's 12°. I put it on in the morning when I get up but I sleep in the cold better for my breathing and everything I used to live in a cabin in Alaska Wake up in the morning and it'd be minus degrees in the cabin fire up the jotul stove and 45 minutes you'll be opening a window