Life Expectancy of OEM 12 Volt vs Optima(LearningAid)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by dorf, May 9, 2009.

  1. dorf

    dorf Member

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    I've read the prior posts on the 12 volt life expectancy but nothing posted on the Optima life expectancy.

    I'm used to purchasing a 60 month battery and then just replacing it in about 36 months.

    That seems to provide a measure of safety,of not getting stranded with a inop battery.

    I'm assuming that the OEM 12 volt should be reliable for about 36 months and the Optima should last longer, but the Optima web site claims free replacement for 36 months nothing further ????


    Anybody have actual and factual comments to share ???
     
    #1 dorf, May 9, 2009
  2. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    Over last weekend my dome light got left on [cause uncertain,
    not going to point fingers] bringing my Yellowtop down to about
    7V for the first deep-drain since I installed it. I hooked up my
    small UPS to the parallel Anderson connector to boot the car.
    After having the system powered up for a while the battery seems to
    have bounced right back; no perceptible diminished IG-ON voltage or
    capability seen so far. And I'm pretty aware of subtle changes
    in these areas...
    .
    _H*
     
    #2 hobbit, May 9, 2009
  3. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    *BUMP*

    Has anyone had an Optima Yellow top battery fail? This is one of the most popular, if not the most popular mod. The claim is that the Optima is a high quality deep cycle battery that can be discharged many times, while the stock Panasonic or GS battery will sulfate and die after just one visit to long term airport parking.
     
    #3 seilerts, Oct 1, 2010
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I've noticed a very few posts having to do with Optima failure.

    Further, consider the possibility that a Prius owner will allow the original equipment battery to discharge for whatever reason, such as leaving cabin lights on, etc., not realizing this is a problem.

    Then, after a new battery is installed and the owner is ~$200 poorer, s/he may be motivated to not allow the battery to discharge. To the extent that the replacement battery lasts longer, this may be due to better owner behavior and not necessarily to the characteristics of the battery itself.
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, Oct 2, 2010
  5. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    The Prius is all about Owner Obedience Training. ;)

    If we are ever forced to drive other cars, they going to get better gas mileage than with other owners, who have not been through the course.
     
    #5 JimboPalmer, Oct 2, 2010
    MizzzC likes this.
  6. mlbumiller

    mlbumiller Junior Member

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    what part number for the Optima Battery?
     
    #6 mlbumiller, Apr 15, 2011
  7. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    #7 KK6PD, Apr 15, 2011
  8. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I think Patrick nailed it. Whether or not the Optima lasts longer than the OEM battery is up in the air but the Optima provides insurance against unexpected battery drains. The Optima can handle repeated drains whereas the OEM battery cannot without losing capacity.
     
    #8 F8L, Apr 15, 2011
  9. dacatz

    dacatz Junior Member

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    can anyone take a pics for me w/model number of the battery....i want to get the kit....but it will be 2 expensive just to ship to canada!
     
    #9 dacatz, Apr 20, 2011
  10. Rest

    Rest Active Member

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    An Optima battery's life is like any other wet battery, some fail early and some last beyond their rating. The main selling point to an Optima is that they are not liquid filled, so they won't leak and can be mounted in any position.
     
    #10 Rest, Apr 21, 2011
  11. pachai

    pachai Junior Member

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    I was just wondering if anyone has follow-up on this thread? - About 2 years ago, I replaced the battery in my 2004 which I bought used. When I got the diagnosis (from this list :), I did not have the time to do anything fancy, so I bought an original replacement.

    It's almost time to worry about a new one.
    And my kids are not interested in any more
    DVD-in-auto-parts-parking-lot instead of
    doing a real activity, so planning may help.

    Thanks
    Seth
     
    #11 pachai, Jan 9, 2012
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