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12V battery List

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by cproaudio, Jun 21, 2015.

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  1. Den49

    Den49 Member

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    Have you checked the OEM replacement 12V batteries for the Camry and Avalon Hybrids? They are AGM, considerably more powerful and last much longer than the Prius 12V.
     
    #21 Den49, Jun 23, 2015
  2. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    I'm sure you can find a few. BMWs and MBs have batteries in the trunk with vent port. Some older Buicks have batteries under the seat. There are many AGM batteries out there. Its only a matter of finding it. Some Honda use Group 51 as their starting motor which is the same size as the OEM Prius battery.
    Yes I have. My mod method would allow installing the larger CH and AH batteries as long as they fall under the group size in post 1. Also keep in mind, that some Toyota Hybrid 12V batteries are even more expensive than the Prius.
    Just google these parts 28800-36050, 28800-31290
     
    #22 cproaudio, Jun 23, 2015
  3. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    There was a thread several months ago by someone who'd successfully done exactly that with a larger, cheaper "mobility" (general purpose, non-automotive) AGM battery. He also mentioned the possibility of a slightly smaller, cheaper "mobility" battery, which is what I did.

    A lot of extra weight hanging out behind the rear wheels isn't going to do wonders for handling (or acceleration, or life of the reputedly fragile wheel bearings).

    Your "large stereo system" may be very different, but with the base sound system playing at modest volume level, the current required to operate that system is only a small fraction of the current drain associated with maintaining the POWER switch in its accessory position with nothing turned on. Specifically, I measured 1.51A total battery drain in accessory setting with nothing else on, and 1.75A with radio playing. The difference is less than half the drain associated with leaving a door or hatch less than fully closed (with all lights off).
     
    #23 CR94, Jun 23, 2015
  4. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    I just ordered an Exide rebranded Rural King group 25 AGM battery. Once all the parts have arrived, I'll do a write up. I can't wait.
     
    #24 cproaudio, Jun 26, 2015
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    where is that made?
     
    #25 bisco, Jun 26, 2015
  6. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    This is the battery for the Prius Rural King Automotive AGM Group 51JIS Battery RK-AGM51JIS by Exide Technologies for $119.99 : Rural King It's a rebranded Exide AGM
    This is the battery I ordered Rural King Automotive AGM Group 25 Battery RK-AGM25 by Exide Technologies for $129.99 : Rural King I had to order $20 worth of junk to make the order enough for free shipping. There's a $20 MIR til Aug 31st. The fine print states "Distributed by Exide Technologies" http://www.ruralking.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/r/u/rural_king_automotive_agm_group_25_battery_rk-agm25.jpg
    I went to Pepboys and checked out the Bosch Platinum line (also rebranded Exide AGM) I put it against a 51R battery. I'm 99.95% sure it will fit. It's exact same height, slightly narrower and just over 6.5" wide. I also ordered a new Toyota positive terminal. It's the exact same version as the Prius terminal except SAE post. The gray colored plastic on the original terminal won't fit but I'm not planning on installing that anyway. The OEM positive terminal cover should also work. The only thing not OEM is the ground cable. I'm thinking of using a generic negative terminal with cable. I've also looked at Toyota ground cable. The only one that will work is the 2001-2003 Prius Ground cable. I can't source it for less than $20 so I'm going aftermarket.
     
    #26 cproaudio, Jun 26, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2015
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    great work cp!(y)
     
    #27 bisco, Jun 26, 2015
  8. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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    only 30 days warranty /
     
    #28 StarCaller, Jun 26, 2015
  9. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    30 days ruralking warranty. After that it's warrantied by Exide. That 30 days warranty is useless to me anyway as I can't return it at the store.
     
    #29 cproaudio, Jun 26, 2015
  10. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Further about alternative batteries, which Britprius discussed in some detail in post #9 of that interesting old thread :

    "Mobility" batteries may be a British term. (?)

    One can find batteries similar to the Ritar RA12-55 and RA12-33 he mentioned by using a search engine to search for "universal" AGM batteries, wheelchair batteries, scooter batteries, storage batteries for home solar- and wind-power systems, or various other categories. There are many other brands, most made in China. I bought one similar to the RA12-33. It's rated 35AH, slightly lower capacity than the OE Yuasa battery, but a lot less expensive, and disproportionately lighter. Harbor Freight sells the same battery under their own brand name as a solar-power component .
     
    #30 CR94, Jun 27, 2015
  11. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    I've read that thread and have considered going that route. Wheelchair batteries and industrial batteries are great but their warranty sucks. Almost all of them will be out of warranty within 1 to 2 years. Also mail ordered batteries pretty much have no warranty. The cost of mailing the battery back and forth negates any savings.
     
    #31 cproaudio, Jun 28, 2015
  12. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    My experience has been that automotive battery warranties are generally not worth much anyway. Unless the battery is abused, or is grossly defective (which is fairly rare), the pro-rata warranty usually will be worth little or nothing by the time the battery fails.
     
    #32 CR94, Jun 28, 2015
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  13. prius4-me

    prius4-me Member

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    Just curious, how did you check out the battery and what determines that it is fine? Thanks.
     
    #33 prius4-me, Jul 7, 2015
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the car still powers up.:cool: tomorrow, who knows?
     
    #34 bisco, Jul 7, 2015
  15. Joe-G

    Joe-G Member

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    Thanks for this great post and figuring out how to mod the battery hold down. I'm amazed how Toyota gave us extra threaded holes on this car - I had two extra threaded holes to mount the other two horns on my 4 horn Cadillac system. No drilling required.

    Anyway, did you figure out an alternative battery that doesn't cost $175? Today when I had my recall done the dealer said my battery was weak - and it does take a long time for my brake system to pump up each morning I've noticed.

    Appreciate your help!
     
    #35 Joe-G, Jul 7, 2015
  16. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    As for cost, this is what I've found out about the Prius battery. Due to the battery being mounted inside the cab and near right rear quarter panel, for safety reasons, it absolutely requires a non spillable type of battery. The only non spillable battery is either AGM, dry cell or gel cell. This requirement alone almost doubles the price of a conventional lead-acid battery. However, if you compare all of the AGM battery groups from the same brand, surprisingly, the battery that's designed for the Prius is among the cheapest.
    Unfortunately, for safety reasons, we are not able to use the cheap lead-acid battery even after we mod the battery tray. You can install one at your own risk. Just hope that you don't get rear ended. However, once modded, you can install a more powerful AGM battery than what the original calls for. Currently the most powerful battery we can install is the Odyssey 25-PC1400T. I think it has 65AH, 130 minute reserve capacity and 900 CCA. The cheapest AGM battery you can install after the mod is still the ones from Rural King.
    I just received the battery I ordered from RuralKing and all the necessary parts. I will install it tomorrow and do a write up soon.
     
    #36 cproaudio, Jul 7, 2015
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  17. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Powerfulness, and therefore CCA ratings, are pretty much irrelevant in a Prius, because the battery is never called up on to supply high power. Ampere-hour ratings are very much relevant if the car will be unused for a long period or if a door is left open a little too long.

    Interestingly, 130 minutes reserve capacity equates to about 54 ampere-hours---but at a much higher drain rate than the 20-hour rate used for standard ampere-hour ratings, which is why that figure is less than the 65AH rating.
     
    #37 CR94, Jul 8, 2015
  18. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    As I've said in the first post, MCA, CCA and CA ratings are irrelevant for the Prius. Unfortunately you can't talk about car batteries without mentioning CCA. Even some of the OEM battery plaster 45ah 325CCA on the battery label. I'm just listing all the specs given by Odyssey.
     
    #38 cproaudio, Jul 8, 2015
  19. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    Success!! I just installed a group 25 AGM battery in my Prius. I will do a write up later. I'll move all the large battery infos in post 1 to that thread and keep this thread for S46B24R replacement only. Here's a teaser pic.
     

    Attached Files:

    #39 cproaudio, Jul 8, 2015
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Here's a pic of of the stock battery installed, for comparison:

    IMG_2222.JPG
     
    #40 Mendel Leisk, Jul 8, 2015
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