Budget battery reconditioning

best way is the $400. reconditioner sold in the prius shoppe. cheapest way is take it all apart and balance the cells yourself.

 

The cheapest way is to build your own grid charger and discharger. S Keith had a list of items you need to buy to do this but unfortunately, that list may have been deleted

 

This thread covers some of the earliest efforts at DIY. Gen II Prius Individual Battery Module Replacement | PriusChat

My suggestion for "best" is to buy a grid charger (sometimes ebay has used) and harnesses because reconditioning is not a one time process. Removing the pack(s) every 6-8 weeks to used a homebrew solution that only charges individual or groups of modules will be a major PITA.

 

You don't have to remove the pack on a homebrew solution. It stays in the car, the hv cooling fan in the car cools the pack.

 

Ahh, I must have missed that particular version within that massive thread. All the ones I saw have the pack out on a bench with multiple small RC chargers. Years later towards the end of the thread, it's all prolong or similar grid chargers being used.

 

Who ever said a rebuilt battery is $400? When the time comes, you'll find the cost to be closer to $1500 to a rebuilt.

$400 pays for a battery grid charger and some attachments....reconditioning options are at additional costs. This is used to recondition your current healthy battery before it fails.

 

OP said two Prii so $1500x2.

 

Funny thing about the "rebuilts". They usually are not all that good. There are a few GOOD rebuilders out there, and a bunch of wannabee's. Problem is knowing who knows what and who doesn't.

Way too many horror stories about folks being taken to the cleaner's when it comes to rebuilt batteries for their Prius. On the other hand, I have not heard one bad story from those who invested in a new battery from Toyota.

 

Not enough data out there out yet to prove or disprove grid charger technology. However if you want to discuss Dorman, you should refer to this string for more information.

Dorman Battery Experiences | PriusChat

FWIW, Toyota also offers a 3 year warranty on their replacement traction battery.

 

Where did you get the information about Toyota not accepting a Dorman? From what I've read, Toyota takes back anything that resembles 28 modules in a pack.....they could be any shape or form.

Dorman and other rebuilders however have rules that "only a rebuildable core" can be returned for full core deposit refund.

 

If that is the case, then why did this PC member post this information?

I have to have a Prius tech return my traction battery for core? | PriusChat

As it is, the battery I want to ship back was rebuilt by falconhybrid.com, and when I explained that it sounded like I was backpedaling from my claim that I had taken the battery apart. He said that even if it was taken apart by a professional rebuilder, they still might not accept the core, and it would still have to be prepared for shipping by a prius tech.

Since you question this JC, I have edited my post. It does appear to me that Toyota does have the last say on what they will accept as far as cores are concerned. YMMV

 

Toyota does not rebuild the cores they get back, they get recycled. However a rebuilder will need a rebuildable core, to sell again.

There is no reason Toyota needs anything but 28 modules in a complete pack back as a core.....nothing more to it. It just gets recycled

This information was provided by our friends in TX. They'll turn in all the bad modules they get back from rebuilding and get a new battery from Toyota. Sell the new battery and get another rebuildable core back.......rinse and repeat. An endless supply of rebuildable modules.

 

JC, I NEVER said that Toyota rebuilds, so please don't put that down in the context you did. Furthermore, if all Toyota is doing is just recycling, then why did the PC member @oldnoah have so much trouble trying to return his core?

It is pretty obvious to me that Toyota is particular about the cores they take in regardless of what the final outcome of said core is.

I have to have a Prius tech return my traction battery for core? | PriusChat

 

Sorry I didn't mean you said Toyota rebuilds......my meaning is they don't care what they get back, because they don't use it to rebuild.

I guess the correct thing to say is YMMV, different things in different parts of the country.

 

Buy one battery pack from a junk yard that does not require a core returned. They do exist but you'll have to search to find one. With 28 extra modules you'll be able to keep good batteries in your cars until the wheels the fall off. Of course you will get very good at testing and replacing modules.

Brad

 

One of the main benefits of our products is they allow you to easily recondition and maintain your own battery. Your battery has a known history to you. Why trade the known history away for an unknown rebuild that could (and often is) worse than the core you are giving away . . .

Yes, we hear these horror stories as well. People often buy our products after getting a rebuilt battery that is not lasting. I cannot stress enough that hybrid battery reconditioning is not a one time event. It must be done regularly to keep the battery in good operating condition. This is why our products are unique. They allow for quick, easy, unlimited, in-car hybrid battery reconditioning for the rest of the life of the vehicle.

We have sold thousands of our systems over the last several years. This technology has been in the Honda community for close to a decade. It works. Here is a recent example:
HybridAutomotive.com Charger Impressions | PriusChat

There are more reviews here on Priuschat, on our website, on our FB page, on Amazon, and on our eBay seller history. Several years of extended life is typical. The specific benefit depends on the condition of your batteries when you start using our products. The sooner you start using our products to maintain you hybrid batteries, the longer they will extend their life.

Feel free to email us, give us a ring at 800-589-0730, or send me a note here if you would like to discuss further