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Potential Prius buyer Newbie GenI battery question

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by SEaton, Nov 28, 2013.

  1. SEaton

    SEaton Junior Member

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    Location:
    Eagle Mountain, Utah
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I found a 2002 prius with 56k on it.
    looks like a good deal, I can pick it up cheap. The kicker, it has a bad battery, I know the dealers want like 3k for one of those puppies. So expensive, but should last forever with new batteries.

    So some questions come to mind. First I used to be an electronics tech in the army, so I have worked on lots of high power setups, so I am not shy of pulling the batteries out and working on them. I figured I would pull it out and test the voltage on some cells, and look, into replacing some bad cells or whatever. If 1 or 2 are bad, I figured I would pop for a couple of em and hope for the best. I am sure there are a lot of things I will need to read up on before going there, like charging and such. but saw some threads on that.

    Suppose that most of the cells are bad, I have noticed there are numerous GEN II batteries for sell out there on ebay. Is it possible to buy a complete GENII and install it ? or am I stuck with refurbishing the GEN I ?

    Am I totally out of my mind for buying one of these ? 4k seems reasonable for low mileage, and worst case 3k to put a battery in it, but thinking I can put in all new cells myself for around 1200 if I have to.

    thoughts ? thanks so much in advance.
     
    #1 SEaton, Nov 28, 2013
  2. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    #2 JMD, Nov 28, 2013
    SEaton likes this.
  3. SEaton

    SEaton Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
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    N/A
    Great thanks, that helps put my mind at ease.
    It sure seems hard to find Gen I batteries :)

    only a 12month warranty. wonder how long people have been getting out of them.
     
    #3 SEaton, Nov 28, 2013
  4. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Depends on environment and driver. 10 years is not uncommon. Some fail in a few years. You are not in the desert so batteries should last. If you garage the car should last longer
     
    #4 JMD, Nov 28, 2013
    SEaton likes this.
  5. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Reinvolt has a good reputation
     
    #5 JMD, Nov 28, 2013
    SEaton likes this.
  6. SEaton

    SEaton Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
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    N/A
    I saw some GenII packs on ebay for around that cost, can a person put one of them in the older gen I cars ?
     
    #6 SEaton, Nov 29, 2013
  7. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Yes they have a network of installers and they also take the old battery away with them. It is a quick repair.

    Greentec seems to have a bigger network


    Is LA we have Avi garage that is an independent shop that does the work also.


    Avi's Advanced Auto Homepage

    I have heard of people buying salvage batteries on eBay but if they have been in the car outside they may be completely depleted which can be trouble
     
    #7 JMD, Nov 29, 2013
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