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Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: PeterB
Date: February 10, 2021 12:28PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: ztirffritz
Date: February 10, 2021 12:34PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: Schpark
Date: February 10, 2021 12:38PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: space-time
Date: February 10, 2021 12:39PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: ztirffritz
Date: February 10, 2021 12:42PM
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space-time
Just move your hamsters in the car.
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: btfc
Date: February 10, 2021 12:55PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: Microman
Date: February 10, 2021 01:14PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: macphanatic
Date: February 10, 2021 01:19PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: Paul F.
Date: February 10, 2021 01:38PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: ztirffritz
Date: February 10, 2021 02:08PM
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Quote
Paul F.
Stop overcomplicating it... replace the battery.
You have a dead battery... It's an EX-battery. It has shuffled off this mortal coil. It's pining for the fjords. It has EXPIRED.
If a good cable-check, cleaning, and tightening, doesn't do it... buy a new battery, install said battery.
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: GGD
Date: February 10, 2021 02:27PM
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Quote
ztirffritz
Quote
Paul F.
Stop overcomplicating it... replace the battery.
You have a dead battery... It's an EX-battery. It has shuffled off this mortal coil. It's pining for the fjords. It has EXPIRED.
If a good cable-check, cleaning, and tightening, doesn't do it... buy a new battery, install said battery.
That may or may not solve the underlying problem. If he's only driving a short distance/time then a new battery will likely result in the same problem eventually.
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: Speedy
Date: February 10, 2021 02:38PM
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Quote
ztirffritz
Quote
Paul F.
Stop overcomplicating it... replace the battery.
You have a dead battery... It's an EX-battery. It has shuffled off this mortal coil. It's pining for the fjords. It has EXPIRED.
If a good cable-check, cleaning, and tightening, doesn't do it... buy a new battery, install said battery.
That may or may not solve the underlying problem. If he's only driving a short distance/time then a new battery will likely result in the same problem eventually.
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: Gareth
Date: February 10, 2021 03:44PM
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Quote
Speedy
Quote
ztirffritz
Quote
Paul F.
Stop overcomplicating it... replace the battery.
You have a dead battery... It's an EX-battery. It has shuffled off this mortal coil. It's pining for the fjords. It has EXPIRED.
If a good cable-check, cleaning, and tightening, doesn't do it... buy a new battery, install said battery.
That may or may not solve the underlying problem. If he's only driving a short distance/time then a new battery will likely result in the same problem eventually.
I agree. Use a battery maintainer.
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: PeterB
Date: February 10, 2021 04:19PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: kj
Date: February 10, 2021 04:21PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: PeterB
Date: February 10, 2021 04:25PM
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Quote
kj
I would just replace it. I was having odd electrical problems, two different stores tested the battery and said it was fine. Difficulties starting, lights turning on by themselves, weird stuff. I went back in, the guy at autozone literally berated me for buying a new battery, but it immediately fixed all the problems. In fact, it's been a few years. No way it wasn't the battery, so the testing doesn't always work. In my opinion, it's basically the cheapest troubleshooting step you can take.
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: Paul F.
Date: February 10, 2021 04:29PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: mattkime
Date: February 10, 2021 04:35PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: PeterB
Date: February 10, 2021 05:18PM
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Quote
mattkime
Quote
PeterB
... just a little nervous about doing the battery swapout myself
Which step makes you nervous?
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: fauch
Date: February 10, 2021 05:31PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: mikebw
Date: February 10, 2021 05:32PM
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PeterB
Quote
mattkime
Quote
PeterB
... just a little nervous about doing the battery swapout myself
Which step makes you nervous?
The mechanical aspects of getting into the compartment, getting all the stuff loosened up, etc.
This is the YouTube I've been looking at, which does make it clear that you need some specific tools for the task: [www.youtube.com]
(also commented on in the original thread)
Oh, and also nervous from the perspective of that some of the Amazon reviews suggest that the batteries can die early for no apparent reason, and that Amazon and the manufacturers will try to pawn off the responsibility onto each other; or if the problem isn't really with the battery but something else, and then replacing the battery doesn't fix it. I'm tempted to call the dealership just to see how much they'd charge for this, but on the other hand I do like to do stuff myself.
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: GGD
Date: February 10, 2021 05:34PM
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Quote
Gareth
If the battery itself is bad, a charger/maintainer isn't going to do anything, because even if fully "charged", the battery may not have enough cranking amps left to actually start the car. I.e. it might be at 12V but only at 10% of its original capacity.
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: mattkime
Date: February 10, 2021 05:49PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: space-time
Date: February 10, 2021 05:51PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: macphanatic
Date: February 10, 2021 06:02PM
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Quote
PeterB
OK guys, returning back to this thread...
The voltage I'm reading should be the battery, as I understand it -- I use my Zus and also the procedure described in this YouTube, which gave identical results: [www.youtube.com]
(under the Vehicle Signal menu, I didn't use a voltmeter...)
A battery from Amazon is about $170, the solar chargers mentioned in the original post about $70. (I would want to use solar instead of AC since I don't have a garage.)
It is admittedly a 7-year old battery now, and I don't do a lot of driving ... so probably it just sitting around for long periods of time without being driven has maybe done the battery in somewhat? (I'd never had this problem pre-corona.) But as pointed out by some of you above, it shouldn't actually be necessary to drive around to power the battery?
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: Filliam H. Muffman
Date: February 10, 2021 08:18PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: PeterB
Date: February 10, 2021 08:34PM
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Quote
Filliam H. Muffman
Are the battery terminals and cable clamps free of oxide? It looks like $170 is a very good price for an AGM battery for a 2014 Prius III.
I am not sure about a Prius, but it typically takes 20 minutes to fully charge a 12 V battery with the gas engine running continuously at over 1500 rpm. Just idling at 800 rpm won't do it.
Did you use a Prius forum to get a recommendation on the solar charger?
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: PeterB
Date: February 10, 2021 08:34PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: Filliam H. Muffman
Date: February 10, 2021 08:46PM
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Quote
PeterB
I am tempted to try what Filliam has suggested, before I replace the battery. I was curious, so I Googled and found this: [www.wildetoyota.com] ... which says to let it run for 8 hours (!!!) in Ready mode after jumpstarting ... I suppose I can do that, I have nothing to lose ... could just leave the car running overnight or something.
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: C(-)ris
Date: February 10, 2021 09:02PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: PeterB
Date: February 10, 2021 09:18PM
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Quote
Filliam H. Muffman
Quote
PeterB
I am tempted to try what Filliam has suggested, before I replace the battery. I was curious, so I Googled and found this: [www.wildetoyota.com] ... which says to let it run for 8 hours (!!!) in Ready mode after jumpstarting ... I suppose I can do that, I have nothing to lose ... could just leave the car running overnight or something.
Wilde Toyota does mention that their procedure is intended to take into account Milwaukee Winter temperatures. Has it been snowing recently in NO?
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: Gareth
Date: February 10, 2021 09:33PM
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Quote
PeterB
This is the YouTube I've been looking at, which does make it clear that you need some specific tools for the task: [www.youtube.com]
(also commented on in the original thread)
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: PeterB
Date: February 10, 2021 09:45PM
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Quote
Gareth
Quote
PeterB
This is the YouTube I've been looking at, which does make it clear that you need some specific tools for the task: [www.youtube.com]
(also commented on in the original thread)
To reiterate from the original thread, while you need specific tools, they are common tools you'd find in any "mechanic's" tool set, or any socket set with metric sockets, and you could spend less than $20. All you need is a 10mm deep socket and a 1/4" ratchet. (Don't bother with the torque wrench).
But if any local auto parts store sells the appropriate battery, one of them will probably install it for free also.
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: AllGold
Date: February 10, 2021 11:41PM
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Quote
kj
I would just replace it. I was having odd electrical problems, two different stores tested the battery and said it was fine. Difficulties starting, lights turning on by themselves, weird stuff. I went back in, the guy at autozone literally berated me for buying a new battery, but it immediately fixed all the problems. In fact, it's been a few years. No way it wasn't the battery, so the testing doesn't always work. In my opinion, it's basically the cheapest troubleshooting step you can take.
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: RAMd®d
Date: February 11, 2021 05:37AM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: mikebw
Date: February 11, 2021 09:01AM
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Quote
Recharging the 12 volt battery
Unlike normal cars, the Prius does not charge the 12 volt battery via an alternator spun by the engine. This vehicle charges its 12 volt battery from the hybrid system, so if you are unable to take the car out for a run for any reason, just switching the system on for a while will do the job. To maintain charge in the 12V battery if the car is not being used often, Toyota recommend putting the car in 'Ready' mode for one hour, once per week. If the battery is completely flat, the vehicle may need to be put in 'Ready' for 4 - 8 hours to fully recharge. Be aware that the engine will start occasionally to ensure the high voltage battery doesn't discharge - so this should only be done in a well-ventilated area, not a closed garage. Doing this will also wreck your miles per gallon record. Alternatively, the 12 volt battery can also be recharged using a standard car battery charger.
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: PeterB
Date: February 11, 2021 10:32AM
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Quote
mikebw
Gotta say, as a Prius owner here I didn't know this about the alternator, as was also mentioned above:
[en.wikibooks.org]
Quote
Recharging the 12 volt battery
Unlike normal cars, the Prius does not charge the 12 volt battery via an alternator spun by the engine. This vehicle charges its 12 volt battery from the hybrid system, so if you are unable to take the car out for a run for any reason, just switching the system on for a while will do the job. To maintain charge in the 12V battery if the car is not being used often, Toyota recommend putting the car in 'Ready' mode for one hour, once per week. If the battery is completely flat, the vehicle may need to be put in 'Ready' for 4 - 8 hours to fully recharge. Be aware that the engine will start occasionally to ensure the high voltage battery doesn't discharge - so this should only be done in a well-ventilated area, not a closed garage. Doing this will also wreck your miles per gallon record. Alternatively, the 12 volt battery can also be recharged using a standard car battery charger.
Good to know that it can recharge the 12v by itself, but for times when you cannot wait it still seems prudent to keep a small jump 12v starter pack in the car.
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: wurm
Date: February 11, 2021 10:49AM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: PeterB
Date: February 11, 2021 11:46AM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: GGD
Date: February 11, 2021 12:53PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: PeterB
Date: February 11, 2021 01:11PM
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Quote
GGD
Maybe a good way to proceed is the following.
Give the 12V battery a good charging by letting the car "Run" while parked.
At the same time, start go through the initial steps in the battery swap process which is mostly removing panels to get access to the battery but stop short of disconnecting the battery.
This will give you an idea of the process, what tools you might be missing, and how comfortable you are in doing it yourself.
Then, after a good charging, if you find that the car still needs jumping as frequently, you'll have a better idea if you should just order a new battery to change yourself, or find a place to do the complete job.
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: Acer
Date: February 11, 2021 01:26PM
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Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: Filliam H. Muffman
Date: February 11, 2021 01:59PM
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Quote
Filliam H. Muffman
Has it been snowing recently in NO?
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: mikebw
Date: February 11, 2021 05:59PM
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Quote
PeterB
Quote
GGD
Maybe a good way to proceed is the following.
Give the 12V battery a good charging by letting the car "Run" while parked.
At the same time, start go through the initial steps in the battery swap process which is mostly removing panels to get access to the battery but stop short of disconnecting the battery.
This will give you an idea of the process, what tools you might be missing, and how comfortable you are in doing it yourself.
Then, after a good charging, if you find that the car still needs jumping as frequently, you'll have a better idea if you should just order a new battery to change yourself, or find a place to do the complete job.
Good ideas, all around.
Also ... should I be concerned of the possibility of theft, if the car is left running unattended like this...?
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: PeterB
Date: February 11, 2021 06:56PM
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Quote
mikebw
Quote
PeterB
Quote
GGD
Maybe a good way to proceed is the following.
Give the 12V battery a good charging by letting the car "Run" while parked.
At the same time, start go through the initial steps in the battery swap process which is mostly removing panels to get access to the battery but stop short of disconnecting the battery.
This will give you an idea of the process, what tools you might be missing, and how comfortable you are in doing it yourself.
Then, after a good charging, if you find that the car still needs jumping as frequently, you'll have a better idea if you should just order a new battery to change yourself, or find a place to do the complete job.
Good ideas, all around.
Also ... should I be concerned of the possibility of theft, if the car is left running unattended like this...?
I assume you have the wireless key thing, so you can start the car by pressing start. Exit the car and then see if you can lock it with you and the key being on the outside. It might not like it, but if that works you should be OK. The car will run without the key until it gets turned off, so don't just leave it ON with the doors unlocked, if you think someone might steal it.
Re: Followup to Prius battery woes
Posted by: GGD
Date: February 11, 2021 09:04PM
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