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Can I use a Small Lead Acid Battery instead of a AGM Battery?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by THADTHOMPSON, Aug 30, 2018.

  1. THADTHOMPSON

    THADTHOMPSON New Member

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    Is it ok to use a small lead acid battery in place of the original AGM battery. Could I damage something?
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    You won't damage the car, however this potentially may create a safety issue to the extent that if your car gets hit in the right rear fender and the battery case is impacted, you will have battery acid sprayed around the rear hatch and possibly into the rear seat area.

    At minimum, make sure that the battery case has the positive terminal on the left side of the case when viewing the battery with the terminals on the side closest to you. If the terminals are reversed and you install the battery with the terminals adjacent to the fender, that constitutes another safety hazard to the extent that if that fender is impacted into the battery and contacts the positive terminal, an electrical short may result.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Aug 31, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2018
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    All the important features of a prius battery feature in passenger safety.

    AGM means less acid to spread in a wreck.

    Externally vented means less sulfuric acid and/or hydrogen gas in the cabin with passengers

    JIS Posts are just odd, no US battery will fit them, you would need to replace the battery cables as well as the battery

    Installation Kit for Optima battery in Prius

    Here is a cheap 'correct' battery

    www.amazon.com/dp/B010GKJ8F6/
     
  4. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Two excellent answers already.
    Pay attention to what both of them said.

    Nothing much else needs to be said.
     
  5. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    #5 exstudent, Aug 31, 2018
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2018
  6. THADTHOMPSON

    THADTHOMPSON New Member

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    Thanks! Yes all very helpful. Just wanted to know if it would damage something. I had to use one temp until Amazon delivery.
     
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