Fitting mobility 12volt AGM battery.

I have no reason to expect this type of battery not to be superior against the OEM and Optima at a far better price.

You have to bear in mind that the Prius battery is a very limited market, part of the reason for the huge mark ups. The dealers make more on replacement parts and services than they do on sales of new cars.

The number of electric wheel chairs and scooters in use world wide is enormous and there are two batteries in every unit. This means they are made in large numbers.

Because of the applications involving disabled people these batteries have to be reliable, safe, have longevity, and the ability to withstand abuse both electrically and physically.

John (Britprius)

 

Yes thanks changed it.

John (Britprius)

 

The smaller battery RA 12-33 at $70 based on $200 from the dealer would be close to 1/3 of the price.

John (Britprius)

 

These batteries are also suitable for UPPS power supplies, wind and solar energy, and even fork lift trucks. They are made in capacities from 26 AH to 3000 AH.

John (Britprius)

 

They are not really suited to vehicles with starter motors and alternators giving out 15 volts+ at 80 to 100 amps to recover quickly from the discharge of the starter. They will work but will be dried out by the high current leading to an early demise.

The RA 12-33 is 9.9 amp max charge rate and the RA 12-55 is 16.5 amp max. The Prius only charges at 4 amp max and is designed to charge AGM batteries. In an emergency it is ok to charge AGM batteries with an ordinary lead acid charger as a one off, Some chargers have an AGM setting and it is safe to use those or specific AGM chargers.

John (Britprius)

 

I cannot in all honesty say the battery has improved fuel consumption, it has not gone down either, but a bad battery can and does cause MPG drop as the HV battery continually tries to charge a battery that will not hold a charge.

I changed my battery as a preventive measure and because I am having an electrically powered system installed to load my electric scooter requiring a good battery,"no use loading the scooter the finding the car will not run because the loading gear had used up the battery".

I also at the time of change needed a new battery for my sit and ride mower so the Prius battery ended up there, saving all round.

John (Britprius)

 

Yes the loading system runs on the car battery. I do not use a solar charger or carry a jump start battery.

I do not need to charge the scooter during the day as it last for the day and is charged with cheap electricity at night. If I am going away for more than 24 hours I take a mains charger with me.

I could if needed jump the car from one scooter battery, but the whole point of the exercise was to make things reliable and easy to operate on my own. For example if the system cannot unload the scooter because of a flat battery I would not be able to get at the battery.under the floor with the scooter on it.

John (Britprius)

 

This from someone that believes an Oddesey 18 AH battery with the wrong terminal layout is the perfect battery for the Prius, and have you seen the price.

John (Britprius)