Another 12V Battery Question; When and Which One?

If you buy the battery from elearnaid, if comes with step by step instructions.

Optima DS46B24R Optima battery direct fit replacement for Prius 2004 +

 

Have a look at the Exide Edge battery part no FP-AGM51JIS this is also a direct fit battery for the Prius at around the same price as the Optima and cheaper than the OEM.

The Exide has a higher capacity than the OEM and the Optima and comes with a 4 year full replacement guaranty. It is a little difficult to find but is well worth the money and is made in the US.

 

Ive been doing research on the Exide FP-AGM51JIS and it got pretty bad reviews on the web vs. good reviews for the Optima.

 

OptimaJim visits this forum as well, offering support for Prius owners.

 

Well looks like today is the day..

Got into the car this morning, it was colder than it has been since I bought the car (43F). Red triangle. Car still started. Ran to store, when I shut the car off you can hear the coolant reservoir pump start out quick and then slow down real quick until it sounded like it was barely running on any battery power. It usually runs at the same speed the whole time. I also noticed during this, the dome light in the car dimmed a lot while this was happening.

Came out of store, started car, red triangle and tire pressure monitor light. I checked tire psi's. 40psi both front 38psi both rear. Gotta be related to the 12v dying.

Im going to Advance Auto Parts right now to get my new optima. Ill search the boards for tips on replacing it.

 

Not knocking Optima's excellent product just pointing out another available product of witch in the UK are many, The only down side that I have been able to find with the Exide "only available since March 2012" is it's lack of availability in some areas.

Some Optima's have proved to be faulty or old stock "not being supplied with full charge or being aloud to sit in a discharged state by the supplier also damaged from poor packaging" quote from reading this forum, possibly not Optima's fault.

The Exide should be too new to suffer from this problem and as I said in my previous post has a longer guaranty. I should add that I am in no way connected with any battery manufacturer.

I am also aware of Optima Jim's help and advise on this forum for Optima's customers in the US and that is to be applauded pity we do not get this sort of help in the rest of the market supplied by Optima.

One last point Exide also make a spiral wound battery almost identical to the Optima.

 

So I just got home from Advance Auto Parts. I had the guy test the yellow top right there. 12.2v. I complained and said I wanted another with at least 12.4v - that was the only one they had. Crap! He said the battery had been 'sitting on the shelf since March". Sure enough, the date code on the battery is 3/12.

I brought it home and put in on the smart charger for an hour on 2amps. Installed the battery, everything seems fine.

The guy at AAP reassured me about the 3 year warranty. He said to monitor the resting voltage and if I want to, he'll order a new one and I can exchange it.

Perfect example of what BritPrius is talking about!!

 

I was planning on a Yellowtop and then found out that they've been gliding on a reputation from 10 years ago before they were bought out and moved the factory to Mexico. I've done enough searches online to think that not only is Yellowtop overpriced compared to Exide, but also Prius owners who claim Yellowtops are superior don't really have the kinda car that can give them the ability to objectively judge how good a car battery is. In contrast there are abundant Yellotop owners who have been using that type of battery in regular cars for 20 years. They say the invincible greatness that Yellowtop once was is no more...

 

The yellow top in the UK is so expensive compared to it's rivals at the equivalent in US dollars of $295. The average battery customer in the UK would not know what an Optima battery is all though they are sold and I believe manufactured in the UK.

The OEM battery from Toyota is $145 but we can buy quality name batteries with up to 5year guaranty for $95 and 3year guaranty for $65. All are Prius direct fit batteries, so it is hard to understand why there seem to be so few correct fit batteries in the US.

 

I would ask the supplier to order a replacement. The one you have could have been damaged and, probably has by standing uncharged. It may last longer than three years but, will it last 7 or 8 the reasonable life expectancy of an Optima. You will not be happy if it dies in year 4 or just out of guaranty.

Lead acid batteries of any type will sulphate if allowed to stand discharged. This not only shortens the life but also reduces the amp/hr capacity of the battery.

 

One thing I will add is that one hour @ 2 amps on a "smart charger" is insufficient to properly recharge the battery. As Britprius pointed out, more than likely that battery with the date code of 3/12 has sulfated to some degree. The "yellow top" Optima battery for the Prius is supposed to measure 13.1 volts when fully charged.

12.2 volts is typically considered 60% of a full charge in a 12 volt battery.



Ron

 

Thanks. I called & spoke to the general manager today (he just happened to answer the phone) at Advance Auto and he said he'd have me a new Optima by 10:30am tomorrow. BUT he did try to tell me that anything around 12v is normal for a 12v battery. I quickly reminded him that 12.2v is a little low for a $199 Optima and that 12.8v+ would be MUCH more normal. Ugh.

I left it on the charger all night at 8amps (its a smart charger and at first wouldnt charge saying the battery was "sulfated") but even after charging all night it still isnt holding much of a charge.

 

Well done, please let us know how you get on with the replacement. It does show however that no matter how good the quality of a battery it comes to nothing if it is not stored and charged while in storage.

In the Uk there are many specialist battery suppliers that have a quick turnover of batteries but they also keep stock float charged. These are the only places I will buy a battery from. They are no more expensive than those from the chain store outlets and further they will often fit the battery free of charge.

 

FYI-Adv Auto has limited time online coupon:
$50 off orders over $100 for first 500 customers
$40 off orders over $100 for next 1000 customers
30% off nearly everything for next 2000 customers
Enter promo code DOTW39 at checkout.

 

Hi Britprius. My 12V battery need a replacement and find this poster on priuschat before make a decision which one to buy. Would like to try FP-AGM51JIS after reading your recommendation. I am wondering if there is any special instruction for installation need? Thanks in advance.

 

This battery is a direct fit for the Prius if your car has SKS. If your car does not have SKS then the OEM battery is slightly small as is the battery carrier. In this case you need to buy from Toyota the larger battery carrier it is not expensive. I believe this carrier is also required for the Optima.

Hope that helps.

John (Britprius)

 

Thanks John. If SKS is smart key system, then yes, my car is 2007 model and has this system. I wrap my key always and let it sit in my pocket all day along.

 

Yes SKS is smart key system.

John.

 

Thanks John. The battery came and everything was smooth on installation.