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12v Replacement Question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by LeVautRien, Jan 21, 2013.

  1. LeVautRien

    LeVautRien Member

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    So, after reading over numerous threads about 12v replacement, I'm still not exactly sure what 12v battery I should get. Pretty sure I should get one, though, since after reading the voltage through the car, my numbers were ever so slightly below minimums and my MPG has recently dropped to an appalling 37.

    I've read plenty of people saying they like the Optima battery, and really I was close to just getting that from advance auto parts, but then I saw that it was $279 when people had been saying it was $200. So now I'm still a bit confused, so can anyone point me to some viable battery options that go in with as little trouble as possible? (I've never done this battery change before, so the less hurdles the better).
     
    #1 LeVautRien, Jan 21, 2013
  2. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    #2 ursle, Jan 21, 2013
  3. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    #3 SteveLee, Jan 21, 2013
  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    The Optima battery was the first battery other than the Toyota battery offered in the US that was both externally vented and AGM. Elearnaid devised a kit to adopt it to the Prius, and eventually, Optima themselves built a custom Prius Battery.

    Optima DS46B24R Optima battery direct fit replacement for Prius 2004 + with Instructions

    There is an Exide Edge vented AGM battery as well.

    Toyota Prius Starting Battery - Exide Edge 51JIS Flat Plate AGM

    Just today I read about a third aftermarket Prius battery

    Super Start® Extreme AGM PRIUS - AGM Battery | O'Reilly Auto Parts

    in this thread

    Another 12v Battery Option: O'Reilly's Super Start Extreme AGM | PriusChat
     
    #4 JimboPalmer, Jan 21, 2013
  5. John H

    John H Senior Member

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    #5 John H, Jan 21, 2013
  6. LeVautRien

    LeVautRien Member

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    Thanks for the quick and quite useful replies. I think I'll go ahead and grab the optima then.
     
    #6 LeVautRien, Jan 21, 2013
  7. Rich12

    Rich12 Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    #7 Rich12, Jan 21, 2013
    mikesarebetter likes this.
  8. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Two reasons:

    Everyone knows how to tell when their normal car has a low 12 volt battery it makes a distinct noise when starting. The Prius does not run a starter motor with the 12 volt battery, so it is easy to not realize it is low.

    Everyone wishes a small battery would cost less than a big battery so are disappointed by the prices. Economies of scale have not helped.
     
    #8 JimboPalmer, Jan 21, 2013
  9. John H

    John H Senior Member

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    Where you trying to contribute something to the discussion ?
     
    #9 John H, Jan 21, 2013
  10. mehrenst

    mehrenst Member

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    Here is a link to the Exide site where you can find a sales outlet in your area.


    Flat Plate AGM
     
    #10 mehrenst, Jan 26, 2013
  11. mehrenst

    mehrenst Member

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    If you go directly to the Optima site and do a search for DS46B24R you'll get a page where you can order the battery directly at the $200 price... free shipping.
     
    #11 mehrenst, Jan 26, 2013
  12. unmesh59

    unmesh59 Junior Member

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    I got my Optima from batterymart.com for a little less than that and installed it today. It took about an hour as others have said and I did not drop the infamous screw that attaches the vent duct to the side! For me, the hardest part was taking off the black nut that is attached to the battery hold-down because I did not have a deep socket and had to use a box wrench.

    The battery voltage without load was 12.6 which is on the low side according to the AGM charts and I've got it hooked up to my charger to get it to 100% before I begin using the car.
     
    #12 unmesh59, Feb 2, 2013
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