I found a 2002 prius with 56k on it. looks like a good deal, I can pick it up cheap. The kicker, it has a bad battery, I know the dealers want like 3k for one of those puppies. So expensive, but should last forever with new batteries. So some questions come to mind. First I used to be an electronics tech in the army, so I have worked on lots of high power setups, so I am not shy of pulling the batteries out and working on them. I figured I would pull it out and test the voltage on some cells, and look, into replacing some bad cells or whatever. If 1 or 2 are bad, I figured I would pop for a couple of em and hope for the best. I am sure there are a lot of things I will need to read up on before going there, like charging and such. but saw some threads on that. Suppose that most of the cells are bad, I have noticed there are numerous GEN II batteries for sell out there on ebay. Is it possible to buy a complete GENII and install it ? or am I stuck with refurbishing the GEN I ? Am I totally out of my mind for buying one of these ? 4k seems reasonable for low mileage, and worst case 3k to put a battery in it, but thinking I can put in all new cells myself for around 1200 if I have to. thoughts ? thanks so much in advance.
Reinvolt sells refurbished traction batteries for $1,300. That assumes you will give them the old battery. The web sites gave the details. Dorman Hybrid Drive Batteries GreenTec Auto Hybrid Battery Replacement | Specializing in Honda and Toyota Hybrid High Voltage Batter Batteries Dealer is very expensive, after market guys are reasonable
Great thanks, that helps put my mind at ease. It sure seems hard to find Gen I batteries only a 12month warranty. wonder how long people have been getting out of them.
Depends on environment and driver. 10 years is not uncommon. Some fail in a few years. You are not in the desert so batteries should last. If you garage the car should last longer
I saw some GenII packs on ebay for around that cost, can a person put one of them in the older gen I cars ?
Yes they have a network of installers and they also take the old battery away with them. It is a quick repair. Greentec seems to have a bigger network Is LA we have Avi garage that is an independent shop that does the work also. Avi's Advanced Auto Homepage I have heard of people buying salvage batteries on eBay but if they have been in the car outside they may be completely depleted which can be trouble
