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Charger/discharger who’s better?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Ianmeister, Nov 25, 2021.

  1. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    Hey all. I’m considering a charger/discharger reconditioning system. So which is better, Prolong or Max Volts?

    enquiring minds want to know.
     
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Prolong(y).
     
    SFO likes this.
  3. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    IF.....you still have the original HV battery in your 16 year old Prius, your money will be MUCH better spent saving for a new car.
    Seriously.
     
  4. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    why does everyone say this? This route isn’t fun, there’s no challenge, and you’re just buying the next car’s problems. A good used car will wear out eventually, a new car is saddled with absurd depreciation and interest plus the higher insurance. On top of that there’s no sense of accomplishment.

    good luck wasting money.
     
  5. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    Ah, ok, why is that?
     
  6. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    It appears you got a Thanksgiving treat from a member I have on ignore:cool:.

    Seems like an appropriate action so you can celebrate a holiday and not have some extreme negative comments to mull over;).

    As long as you are willing to undertake the maintenance yourself, a used Prius can be a valuable mode of transportation :).

    Happy Thanksgiving (y).
     
    Flyboy314 likes this.
  7. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    :D Pfft! Thanks Ray! I needed to hear something worthwhile. Happy TG to you and yours as well. So why is the Prolong better?
     
  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    For one, Maxx Volt only allows for charging and not discharging :whistle:.

    If you want to get the most out of a pack that is seasoned, you'll need to discharge it to break the "memory" of the cells;).

    The Prolong harness makes that task easy:).

    I had a similar decision to make back in 2017 and went with Prolong and these were some of the reasons (y).
     
  9. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    Maxx volt has a separate but compatible discharger now.

    https://www.maxx-volts.com/products/maxx-volts-pro-automatic-discharger
     
  10. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    #10 alftoy, Nov 25, 2021
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2021
  11. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Because when you are talking about trying to "rejuvenate" a 16 year old battery it is TRUE.

    And doing that IS undoubtedly wasting money because it does not WORK in any meaningful sense.
    AND it can be dangerous for someone with no skill or experience.......which some of your earlier posts tends to indicate is true.

    NOT a good idea. I quit.
     
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  12. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Don't confuse me with facts, my mind is already made up.
    If it doesn't conform to what you think is true, you don't want to hear it.
    Good policy.
     
  13. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    A new OEM battery is ~$2000 if you install it yourself. The Prolong charger/recharger is ~$600 (last I heard). Does it make sense to spend 1/3 of the price of a new battery for this sort of bandaid? Balancing a battery using one of these devices may give it a year or two more, but a new battery is probably good for 15 years. The former only makes economic sense if you don't expect to keep the car for very long.
     
  14. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Installing the prolong harness and maintaining the battery starting in 2017 has allowed the battery in our old 2010 to continue operation:).

    So that's more than two years;).

    If done consistently following the directions, the battery life can be extended(y).
     
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  15. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    You are talking about your vehicle. More than a few suckers have spent $700 or more to only end up buying a new HV battery.

    Consider that a Prolong uses Meanwell components.
     
    #15 alftoy, Nov 25, 2021
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2021
  16. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    We also used the Prolong equipment to rebuild batteries;).

    It has many uses for one purpose:).

    I got my investment back and then some(y).
     
  17. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Well......you don't KNOW that because you have no way of knowing what the life would have been had you done nothing.
    But you probably won't understand that either.
     
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  18. R-P

    R-P Active Member

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    I read this as a derogatory comment, is it meant as such? Honest question. Among a Dutch electronics forum*, Meanwell is seen as an excellent brand, delivering a quality that is consistant at a pricepoint a little above the poorly designed China crap.
    It doesn't have the quality of e.g. my Delta Electronics PS that supplies me with spare components after 30 (!!!) years free of charge, but Meanwell is adviced to all without much reservation.

    PS: I don't use or have any Meanwell PS.

    * many on that forum have intimate knowledge or even design SMPS, so I trust their judgement.
     
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  19. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    Well you are wrong! The $100 Maintenance gear uses Meanwell power supplies, same as Prolong.

    Can I borrow your battery charger/balancer/reconditioner? | Page 7 | PriusChat

    Build Hybrid Battery Maintenance Gear For Under $100 | PriusChat

    HCH1 DIY IMA Reconditioning - Electric Vehicle Forums
     
    #19 alftoy, Dec 17, 2021
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2021
  20. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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