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cut holes in battery casing for better airflow

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by DarioRAV4h19, May 17, 2022.

  1. DarioRAV4h19

    DarioRAV4h19 New Member

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    Good afternoon,

    I have a 2019 rav4 hybrid and I did a short research about maintenance of the traction battery. It turned out that excessive heat kills cells of the battery that are located in the center. That's reasonable. Did anybody here thought about cutting vent holes in metal casing and possibly installing a PC style fans in order to dissipate heat before cell degradation occurs?
    It seems like a lot but an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure ($5k battery).

    Prius hybrids has been for much longer than 5th get ravs that's why I am asking here.
    I would like to learn and pass on the knowledge about preventive maintenance of the traction battery so let me know about useful info and links to treads about this topic as well.

    thank you
     
    #1 DarioRAV4h19, May 17, 2022
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that may create a dangerous situation and void your warranty.

    some here run the cooling fan on high, others have made changes inside the battery box.

    most have done nothing with no ill effects. heat is a bigger problem in the south.
     
    #2 bisco, May 17, 2022
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  3. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I wouldn't translate PRIUS to RAV4 - much bigger battery, and different in the mounting.

    TOYOTA has a sophisticated Temperature control algorithm running, both with the Traction Battery, the engine and the Inverter. I'd be inclined to trust TOYOTA.

    TOYOTA put a 10 year warranty on their batteries, so they must have confidence in them. They're also - in most cases, fine for the life of the car.
     
    #3 alanclarkeau, May 17, 2022
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  4. DarioRAV4h19

    DarioRAV4h19 New Member

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    thank you for replies

    Where can I educate myself about maintenance of traction battery?
     
    #4 DarioRAV4h19, May 18, 2022
  5. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    They sold me a Prius with their battery warranty in south Florida. I bet it gets 140 degrees in that car at times, perhaps more. I'm not concerned.
     
    #5 Mambo Dave, May 19, 2022
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    just search prius hybrid battery and other search terms on google
     
    #6 bisco, May 19, 2022
  7. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Where can I educate myself about maintenance of traction battery?

    Best place could be owners manual. If nothing of significance is in the manual, well..........

    If I had a 2019 Rav4 hybrid. I would just drive it and enjoy the ride.
     
    #7 TMR-JWAP, May 19, 2022
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  8. Doug McC

    Doug McC Senior Member

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    For starters quit thinking that since it is in a hybrid vehicle it is “special”. Then learn everything you can about batteries in general (so you can decipher truth from fiction). Once you have that knowledge then go to sources that use the same battery technology (such as solar) and discern what you can from there.
    One final thought: assuming you paid going price for your vehicle, why do you not trust the engineers that designed it. I would think real hard before drilling holes in a decent car.
     
    #8 Doug McC, May 19, 2022
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  9. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Senior Member

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    Yeah, I wouldn't do it. If there is a problem with the battery later on, they could deny your warranty claim because of the mod, aka previous damage.
     
    #9 CooCooCaChoo, May 19, 2022
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it might also divert the cooling air in a way that would miss modules. it would have to be properly engineered
     
    #10 bisco, May 19, 2022
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  11. Doug McC

    Doug McC Senior Member

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    Perhaps the way it was done by some obscure company, maybe named “Toyota”?
     
    #11 Doug McC, May 19, 2022
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    some have measured warmer modules in the middle, those are typically the ones that go first.
    and some have enhanced the cooling there. afaik, it did not involve drilling holes in the case

    does it help with longevity? idk
     
    #12 bisco, May 19, 2022
  13. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    There is none required - it is likely to last the life of the car. As someone else mentioned - read both the Maintenance Schedule and the Owner's Manual.
     
    #13 alanclarkeau, May 20, 2022
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