After market Prius batteries??

Right now there are companies like Hymotion getting ready to market plug-in batteries to give you usable EV range but we're talking $10k for the conversion. Some folks around hear (Cheap! and at least one other guy) are doing their own add-on projects using relatively inexpensive but heavy lead-acid batteries for a whole lot less money. (Couple grand maybe?)

Who knows what's next. Toyota doesn't seem happy about people converting their cars to plug-in so it's going to be a tough market to grow, especially given the prices.

 

I'm betting he is talking of the 12V one. It's a little overpriced, at $250 and up. For what it is. Haven't seen one yet, but there may be a close enough one made for motorcycles. Or one of the motorcycle battery manufacturers may do that size soon.

At the Toyota price, I'd go the Optima route (size 51 Yellow top). You get a much higher capacity sealed AGM battery. Just have to do the fitting/hold-down/connection conversion. They cost around $220.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Jul 22 2007, 10:32 AM) [snapback]483134[/snapback]</div>

Is an adapter kit available? I'd rather buy a well-engineered solution than cobble something together.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Jul 22 2007, 01:41 PM) [snapback]483180[/snapback]</div>

I had Oriley auto parts in Augusta, GA call optima to order me a size 51 optima yellow top. Optima told the guy at Oriley's that the Optima 51 yellow top was discontinued and NLA (No longer available). I was considering this for my car as an upgrade so we are back to the drawing board or Hobbit's post on battery removal and pics and measurments. Sorry for the bad news. You are willing to do the call on your own and do your own DD on this issue. Please post if you find a great inexpensive way to make this happen.
D Rock

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(D Rock @ Jul 22 2007, 02:55 PM) [snapback]483212[/snapback]</div>

The Optima 51r battery (reversed terminals) was pulled by Optima when many of them started to exhibit early failures. There is a Duralast 51r (Autozone) which should be fittable and, of course, you can buy a kit on ebay consisting of a decent miata-sized battery and adapter parts which was originally put together for the classic Prius.

JeffD

 

My recommendation is Odysseybatteries (Heavy-Duty and Miltary Grade,
AGM (Dry Cell) Batteries, which can be put on there side and they are
used in these industries: car audio and racing (on and off road vehicles),
ATV's, Watercraft, Motorcycles, Marine, and especially commerical use.


Global Headquarters

EnerSys
P.O. Box 14145
Reading, PA 19612-4145, USA
Tel: +1-610-208-1991
Toll-free: +1-800-538-3627
Fax: +1-610-372-8613


Regional Sales

EnerSys Energy Products Inc.
617 N. Ridgeview Drive
Warrensburg, MO 64093-9301, USA
Tel: +1-660-429-2165
Fax:+1-660-429-1758


EnerSys Limited
Rake Lane,
Clifton Junction,
Manchester M27 8LR UK
email
Tel: +44 (0)161 727 3952
Fax: +44 (0)161 727 3805


EnerSys Australia Pty Ltd
7 Walker Place,
Wetherill Park, NSW,
Australia 2164
Tel: + 61 (0) 29756 1870
Fax: + 61 (0) 29757 4537
Toll-free: 1-800-550-153


-------------------------------------


1a) Enersys Corporation
http://www.enersysreservepower.com/ody_b.asp?brandID=5


1b) Enersys Corporation - Factory in Warrensburg, MO
http://www.odysseyfactory.com/


1c) ODYSSEY Battery Specs
http://www.odysseyfactory.com/specs.htm


1d) ODYSSEY Sales
http://www.odysseyfactory.com/odybuy.htm


2) Master Distributor of Odyssey Drycell Batteries:
West Coast Batteries Inc.
410 Le Roy Drive
Corona, Ca. 92879
Toll Free (888) 379-2555
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/

 

Try the Kinetik HC 1400, it is 60 AH, used alot on the sound-off circuits. E-bay has them all the time.

Wayne