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12 Volt Battery: Self-chargers stop working.

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by xkatt, Jul 16, 2020.

  1. xkatt

    xkatt New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2020
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    Location:
    New York
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Recently I purchased a Noco genius charger to replace a Schumacher battery maintainer which had stopped working. I used the Noco a couple times before it too stopped working. I run these from under the hood. I use these 8-9 days after my last outing for about 12-24 hours, when they read fully charged. And then I’m usually driving the car a few days after. (drive little in winter, and little under covid)

    This is a 2012 Prius V. Advice from Toyoto was that I should take a trip and then put on a maintainer and keep it there, which no doubt solves the problem, but seems unnecessary. And it doesn’t answer the question as to why my devices stop working. I returned the noco because it cost more and time for return was running out. I still have the Schumacher which worked for about 16 months. I tried these on the battery itself and same non-results--and of course in all these situations the car itself does start which it will usually do up to 14 days.

    It’s a mystery to me why the maintainers stop working (zero abuse to either & and used in my garage). Anything to clear up this confusion is appreciated.
     
    #1 xkatt, Jul 16, 2020
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I like Battery Tender. I would be sure to disconnect it before running the car as the hybrid sytem charging algorithm might be fighting your battery maintaner if it was on.


     
    #2 rjparker, Jul 16, 2020
  3. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    How exactly did they "stop working" ?
    It is possible that your battery is now beyond it's useful life.
    "Smart" chargers often won't attempt to charge a battery if it's "quick test" indicates that the battery might be bad.

    My Schumacher will sometimes indicate a full charge or a fault if I connect it to the wall first.
    Try connecting to the battery first and then to the wall.

    And what you have been told is correct, it is WAY better to connect your smart maintainer any time that you think the vehicle will go unused for more than a few days. Two weeks is too long for optimum battery health.
     
    #3 sam spade 2, Jul 17, 2020
    Tim Jones likes this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Base
    if the battery is original, replace it, and keep a tender on it
     
    #4 bisco, Jul 17, 2020
    Tim Jones likes this.
  5. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Location:
    New Yawk
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    We use a CTEK 7002 along with an LED battery condition 'comfort indicator' (tell-tale) on each battery in the 'fleet' and find it and they work well to smart charge and monitor.
     

    Attached Files:

    #5 Air_Boss, Jul 17, 2020
  6. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    It sounds like the chargers/maintainers you are using are being damaged from the supply side, or wall outlet. Not knowing much about power in your area of NY I would try to first have the household wiring checked from the outlet to the electric panel. If it is actual service issue from the electric company then a surge protector may help take care of future failures, or better yet a back up battery UPS, which also cleans up the waveform. (The UPS idea may be overkill, hopefully).

    Pardon the messy garage, but these are just three that are kept with automatic charger/maintainer 24/7/365.

    moto g(7) power ?
    View attachment 195089
     
    #6 jzchen, Jul 18, 2020
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