Is the Optima Yellow Top a good batt?

my fingers hurt.

 

Since I only use my iPhone 5S, I’ll probably end up with carpal tunnel for the long posts.

 

i don't know how you guys do it. when i'm out and (rarely) have to use the phone, i get very frustrated.

 

I’m never at a computer long enough to do it any other way.

So you get used to it.

 

I'll admit..I've only had them a year or so on the 2010 and a bit less on the 2012. But they survived our MN winter just fine.

BTW - I ordered them from here...and the link is still legit.

Optima DS46B24R Optima battery direct fit replacement for Prius 2004 to 2015 , Prius V & Plug-in Prius with Instructions

 

Bought an Optima for mine.
Definitely leave the car in ready mode when your sitting.. the car cannot keep the 12v battery up when it's just sitting there in account mode.
The engine will start and stop..but it's also maintain voltage on both the Hybrid and 12V battery too.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Close enough for government work !

 

The water does not boil off, therefore the vent only comes into play in an extreme and unusual situation.
They tend to last longer too.

AGM is pretty much the standard in cars these days.
The Prius does not require anything special.
Physical size and the right kind of posts might be more important than electrical spec's.

You are making this MUCH harder than it IS.
Any "name brand" AGM that will fit physically will be fine.

 

It is not and does not.
Shop around for a battery that will fit your model car.
I'm pretty sure that they ALL will be AGM type.

You REALLY do not want to go back to a conventional wet battery where the level needs to be constantly checked, acid fumes can come out and having a proper venting arrangement is really important.

 

A lot of automotive retailer websites allow you to enter your vehicle stats and will show you what compatible batteries they have. Pep Boys is one, has a conventional shaped AGM, with the prerequisite posts, vent, dimensions, by Bosch if I recall correctly. It periodically goes on sale for around $145 (US), AND they'll install for you at that price.

That said, the last time I tried to search a battery on their site, I hit the wall: it was a maddening, confounding trial, could not make headway. Maybe it was just me, having an elder day, not sure. Or maybe the website was having issues. Anyway, try them, and any other automotive retailers in your area, see what they've got. If you're hitting the website wall too, try phoning them.

I used to think getting anything other than Original Equipment Manufacturer batteries you would be getting a one-size-fits-all, but that doesn't appear to be the case. I get the sense that there are not that many manufacturers, they're catering to the OEM requests and aftermarket, and apart from some variations in branding, you can get a battery that's basically identical to OEM, but more readily available and cheaper.

 

When the time comes. I will just buy the Toyota brand, dealer-installed battery. They always seem to be on sale.

Have you thought about getting a portable radio for the car? I've seen ones that charge by solar, and also have AA batteries, or you can crank it for power.... Or you can plug it in. Your choice.

And maybe get a bright battery-powered LED light and hang it inside your Prius?

 

This is the emergency radio I have. If you use the crank, I think you get 30 minutes of play time. So keep cranking Or just use the AA battery power. They last about 60 hours.

CC Solar Observer and 5V AC Adapter

 

Did you find it on their site? That was my stumbling block, last time I looked. No first hand experience, but at least a couple of members here (IIRC) got the Bosch battery, included install, and no reports of problems.

 

My optima yellow top just failed 2 nights ago after 5yrs of service. I quickly replaced it in the parking lot of Autozone for $225. I like the yellow top because I tend to sit in the car when it's NOT in "ready" mode and listen to the radio while also charging lots of stuff from the lighter sockets. So I like the deep cycle.

VS995 ?

 

The yellow top like other deep cycle batteries should be better at being discharged farther than a regular lead acid starting car battery. We can use the deep cycle kind because we don't have a starter that has to turn over the engine. We just have to boot the computer so it throws the relays to connect the huge 200 volt battery for the hybrid system.

When mine failed it failed such that it just didn't do anything at all anymore. I had to jump start the Prius with one of those little lithium ion jump packs, but I keep it in the car in case I have to help others because I don't want to jump start anyone else's car off the Prius because we have very sensitive electronics and a tiny battery. In my case I have the deep cycle that doesn't put out the starting current for a normal car.

With the yellow top I've been really using it and I never felt like I was discharging it to much. It worked flawlessly for 5 years and then it just died. I jumped the car and drove to autozone for another.

VS995 ?

 

this feature was one of the early adopters priorities, whereas deep discharging the oem (leaving a light on/door ajar etc) could basically kill it.

 

"We’re sorry we don’t have an OPTIMA® battery that will fit your particular make and model vehicle."

That is what the Optima website tells me about my 2016 Prius.