Bad 12V?

I sometimes charge the 12 v by putting car in park in ready mode. Usually in winter or rain. But I have a battery monitor so I know whats happening.

 

I don't think CCA (cold cranking amps) is a useful number for this type of vehicle. There is no cranking, as the car doesn't use a conventional starter.

 

My 12V battery was registering 10.5V and not charging anymore, and I was still able to start and drive the car no problem with a lithium jump pack. Of course I changed it out after a couple of starts like that.

 

This is about what I was figuring: everyone’s advising charging, but “is this possible for you” question never asked.

A decent smart-charger is pretty much mandatory, when your car usage is variable, with regular, multi-day downtimes. Without an AC outlet you have a quandary.

you’re condo underground parking, or street, something like that?

 

For the first charge it should be possible to do it since the AGM is delivered to the door. For cost I see very reasonable smart chargers for sale, some by known brands like Schumacher. I have a few around some were really cheap, getting a like new from Amazon at steep discount.

 

The need for initial charge is "debatable". The need for periodic, ongoing charging, especially if you're use of the car is sparodic, is more important. In lieu of charging, one simple tactic is to disconnect the battery whenever the car's going to be idle for a protracted period, say more than a week. Appreciate this is a pain.

According to @ChapmanF there's a disconnection you do at the under-hood fuse box, more convenient than actually disconnecting the negative cable at the battery: info < Note, this is in a Gen 3 discussion, but Gen 4 may be siimilar.

For reference, Gen 3 fuse box:



Having a hard time finding a Gen 4 fusebox image, perhaps OP can post one?

 

Your usage is ok, but those regular 2 day hiatus reduce the lifespan.

I'm the poster-boy for low usage, with both me and my wife retired now we're only accumulating around 3000 kms yearly (2000~ miles, yes...). The car only gets used around once a week. Current battery is an Optima Yellow Top, installed in September of 2015. I've got it near constantly on a CTEK 4.3 charger, using a quick connect. Appreciate that's not happening for your scenario though, with no AC.

 

We make a point of consolodating trips, say when we've got to drive somewhere, do the heavy shopping on same day, if practical. Then back on the charger the next day. Yesterday I had the dentist, then this morning doing my charger hook-up drill.

 

I'm no expert on lead-acid battery technology, but I believe the charge level should be increased in lower temperatures, and of course, the reverse.
This would account for the higher initial voltage shown when I start the car on a cold morning, and see it drop as the battery warms up.

 

I wouldn’t, get a lower cost charger maintainer and plug in at home. I don’t know what amps autozone charges at, may do more harm than good. A maintainer can be left on for hours if you don’t want to get a battery monitor. At least going in the battery will be fully charged. I almost guarantee it wont stay that way long if its like my gen4. I do have the prime but not sure that the standard hybrid is different.

 

Why would you take a battery anywhere for charging? If you don't own a battery charger, the car will charge it.

 

Asked and answered: he doesn't have AC outlets available where he parks, so this would entail pulling the battery.

 

I'd heard stories about the LVL 1 chargers that come with the car being stolen, so I bought a much cheaper one online. So far, it's been doing a perfect job.

It's no longer listed on Amazon, but I paid $164. Less than 10% the price I was quoted from the dealer for an OEM cable.