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In praise of my Prius's battery!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by southjerseycraig, Jan 6, 2018.

  1. southjerseycraig

    southjerseycraig Active Member

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    I opened my hatchback on a cold day (15 degrees) to carry a TV into the garage. Unfortunately, I forgot to go back outside and close the hatchback. The hatchback sat there open for the next 20 hours until a neighbor called in the middle of a snowstorm to let me know that the trunk area was being filled with snow. I went outside, tried my best to brush the snow out, and closed the hatchback.

    I figured to myself, "no way that car is going to start," particularly since the temperature was in the single digits at night, and since this is the original battery with 92,000 miles on it. But this morning I got into the car, pressed the start button, and, after a bit of balkiness, the car started! I promptly did a twelve-mile drive on the highway, and have had no problems since -- although it continues to be bone-chilling here.

    I'm so delighted and surprised! And next time I'll make darn sure I close the hatchback!
     
    #1 southjerseycraig, Jan 6, 2018
    N.J.PRIUS, Aaron Vitolins, milkman44 and 1 other person like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you got a keeper!:p
     
    #2 bisco, Jan 6, 2018
  3. milkman44

    milkman44 Active Member

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    I replaced my 12V battery a little over three years ago and put the battery on my diesel generator, it's still going strong.
     
    #3 milkman44, Jan 6, 2018
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that little battery cranks a diesel engine over?
     
    #4 bisco, Jan 6, 2018
  5. milkman44

    milkman44 Active Member

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    Yes, it's a 10HP one cylinder.
     
    #5 milkman44, Jan 6, 2018
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Check the voltage with a multimeter at the least, with the car off, first thing in the morning. Post what it's reading.

    Getting it digitally load-tested would be better. You can also DIY this with Solar BA5.

    If it's viable, hook it up to a smart charger (4 amp range), and let it run to completion. Then continue to monitor periodically.

    Sorry to pee in your cornflakes, but to think that a stone-cold battery sitting with the hatch open for 20 hours is going to "bounce right back" is fool's paradise stuff.

    Is it the original battery, btw?
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Jan 6, 2018
    southjerseycraig likes this.
  7. southjerseycraig

    southjerseycraig Active Member

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    It is the original battery, Mendel Leisk. I promise I will take the car in to a reliable mechanic (I have one) to do wha tyt you suggest.
     
    #7 southjerseycraig, Jan 7, 2018
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Ok, and I'll stay away from your cornflakes. :coffee:

    You know what: original battery, I'd be inclined to just replace it, without extensive testing, maybe just the DIY voltage test, to see where it's at.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Jan 7, 2018
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  9. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    That means that it is 7 or 8 years old and that is a bit PAST the threshold of where a lot of owners report failures.

    Unless you enjoy daring challenges, I suggest that your little episode that "exercised" the battery's capacity also probably ensures that it will fail soon. And the standard tests often don't reveal that.

    Time to shop for a new battery.
     
    #9 Sam Spade, Jan 7, 2018
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe the dome light burned out and the battery wasn't being used.

    my daughter just replaced her '08 original battery that died two years ago at the airport. these little guys are pretty robust!
     
    #10 bisco, Jan 7, 2018
  11. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    You definitely shortened the life of this battery, even though it survived short term.
     
    #11 lenjack, Jan 16, 2018
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  12. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Well, I'd like to thank everyone for ruining Cornflakes for me.....
     
    #12 The Electric Me, Jan 16, 2018
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    No problem... :whistle::sneaky:
     
    #13 Mendel Leisk, Jan 16, 2018
  14. southjerseycraig

    southjerseycraig Active Member

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    Thanks. I agree. But I've gotten 90,000 miles out of this battery; it doesn't owe me a thing.
     
    #14 southjerseycraig, Jan 18, 2018
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
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