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Voltage...... 13.1

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Jolly, Mar 12, 2015.

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  1. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I like that WrongMart. Also partial to Home Despot. ;)
     
    #21 Mendel Leisk, Mar 14, 2015
  2. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    1st time to hear of the orange "Despot." Nice.
     
    #22 exstudent, Mar 14, 2015
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    for a 1 year old battery that's been run down, thinking you won't have future problems by charging would be poor judgement. you'll have to do some testing to make sure it's holding a charge.
     
    #23 bisco, Mar 14, 2015
  4. Jolly

    Jolly Junior Member

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    I bit the bullet and bought a Schumacher Battery Maintainer. Interestingly, the guy that helped me was a former Toyota mechanic who has recently relocated to the area I live in (no Toyota shops within 60 miles from me) so he was working in the automotive section of a what I would guess you would call a farm supply store. Members from Minnesota will recognize ¨Fleet Farm¨. This guy says there is a negative post under the hood. I absolutely know where the positive post is in the fusebox but don't seem to see a negative terminal. He says there is one and that I should use it but couldn't quite explain to me where it is. I've always just used the strut bolt. This is a semi-permanent install and he recommended I use that terminal. Any help would be appreciated.
     
    #24 Jolly, Mar 14, 2015
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, there isn't a negative post under the hood. just put the clamp on any good grounding point like a stud or nut or bolt. stopping listening to toyota mechanics, or you'll wind up in hot water. btw, this is all in your manual.
     
    #25 bisco, Mar 14, 2015
  6. Jolly

    Jolly Junior Member

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    Thank You. I will refer to the manual; sometimes easy to forget though when a site like this exists. I will try harder in the future to try and find answers in the manual first.
     
    #26 Jolly, Mar 15, 2015
  7. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Don't forget to read the warranty manual too! Know what is covered and for how long mileage/months.

    There have been two separate postings by individuals who have paid for an HV Battery repair, with a rebuilt/refurbished/used one, WHILE they were still under warranty!

    Obviously we can't verify anything unless they upload supporting documentation, but even that like nearly everything now a days, can be forged, and forged quite well.
     
    #27 exstudent, Mar 15, 2015
  8. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    I'm a little late to the party but...............
    Those readings are not necessarily bad.
    IF the battery is fully charged, 13.1 is plenty to keep it charged under most circumstances.

    AND......how were you getting those readings ?
    If you have a scan gauge attached, some folks with some cars have found that the scan tool itself will tend to run the battery down if left connected for long periods. I don't remember if that applies to the Prii or not.
     
    #28 Easy Rider 2, Mar 16, 2015
  9. Jolly

    Jolly Junior Member

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    I use DashCommand with my iPhone for the voltage info. Can't afford a scangauge quite yet.

    I charged the battery overnight. Voltage readout was 13.7 - 13.8 for my 5 mile commute today.
     
    #29 Jolly, Mar 17, 2015
  10. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    Was that DURING your driving time ?
    If so, that's is pretty much meaningless as it is the charging voltage from the inverter and tells you virtually nothing about the battery itself.
     
    #30 Easy Rider 2, Mar 17, 2015
  11. Jolly

    Jolly Junior Member

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    Yes - while driving. The 13.1 was also while driving.
     
    #31 Jolly, Mar 17, 2015
  12. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    Readings taken while in "ready" mode are meaningless for determining battery health.
     
    #32 Easy Rider 2, Mar 17, 2015
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    refer to post #2. you don't need a scan gauge, but you do need a $10. voltmeter.
     
    #33 bisco, Mar 17, 2015
  14. Jolly

    Jolly Junior Member

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    Can I test it using the jumper post in the fusebox?. I'm really not interested in tearing apart the trunk to get at the battery.
     
    #34 Jolly, Mar 18, 2015
  15. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Yes as well as by using your MFD in diagnostic mode.

    JeffD
     
    #35 jdenenberg, Mar 18, 2015
  16. Jolly

    Jolly Junior Member

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    Thanks all!
     
    #36 Jolly, Mar 18, 2015
  17. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    But it's kind of hard to get a reading with everything off.......if the MFD is ON (and probably other things too.)
     
    #37 Easy Rider 2, Mar 18, 2015
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    someone said even opening the drivers door to pull the hood latch decreases the reading.
     
    #38 bisco, Mar 18, 2015
  19. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    That is because opening the door makes things happen.......and the only good way to get a true resting reading is to leave the hood latch ajar so you can read the voltage at the jump points.
     
    #39 Easy Rider 2, Mar 19, 2015
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