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Replace Hybrid Battery Questions

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Mike Carambat, Feb 9, 2015.

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  1. Mike Carambat

    Mike Carambat Junior Member

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    Gonna run by the salvage yard this afternoon and check out that used battery. Anyone have any tips on what to look/test for? I mean, should I bring my volt meter, snap in the orange plug and just check for voltage on the HV terminal bus?
     
    #21 Mike Carambat, Feb 10, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    we could have a club, where each member uses it as needed, then ships to the next one on the list.
     
    #22 bisco, Feb 10, 2015
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    not much you can test on a static battery. best thing is to know the mileage and type of accident.
     
    #23 bisco, Feb 10, 2015
  4. Mike Carambat

    Mike Carambat Junior Member

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    Assuming this salvage battery is totally dead from non use, but still functional and chargeable, do I simply just put it in the vehicle without any kind of pre-conditioning? I mean, is there a chance I could smoke the car's charging system when I put it in my car? I mean, a completely dead battery of such a high capacity would tax the hell out of any charger initially. I don't know how intelligent/flexible the Prius is when it comes to this. In a worse scenario, can it handle dead/shorted cells?
     
    #24 Mike Carambat, Feb 10, 2015
  5. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    If it is discharged, you will have to charge it before installation. This can be done in several ways:
    • Buy Jeff's (not me) $400 HV battery Charger.
    • Build your own quick and dirty charger (search PC)
    • Use a hobby charger (eg: Supermate DC6) one at a time on all 28 individual modules.
    The BMS in a Prius requires that the engine is running to charge the HV battery and the HV battery needs at least a minimum charge to spin the engine.

    JeffD
     
    #25 jdenenberg, Feb 10, 2015
  6. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Nice idea. Or Danny could rent the thing out for a week at say $50 a go.

    I'm not convinced just how much the charger makes a difference, but I'm willing to pay $50 to see. $400 -- no way.
     
    #26 SageBrush, Feb 10, 2015
  7. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Some fairly decent variable power supplies can be had for within the hundred-dollar range on Ebay or AliExpress. By fairly decent, I mean they are good enough for battery-charging, but lack some of the refinements of more expensive models, such as quieter fans and excellent voltage-spike protection.
     
    #27 GregP507, Feb 10, 2015
  8. Mike Carambat

    Mike Carambat Junior Member

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    Gotcha! That's what I suspected.

    Probably my last question for you guys, but from what I've seen in the dismantling videos, am I right in assuming I should be able to just pop the orange plug back in, then simply test if there's any remaining charge in the pulled salvage battery by testing at the two terminal blocks the high gauge power cables run into? Does the battery pack need anything else besides snapping in the orange plug to show voltage on that bus?
     
    #28 Mike Carambat, Feb 10, 2015
  9. Mike Carambat

    Mike Carambat Junior Member

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    UPDATE.. oh well, the salvage battery is no longer an option. I went to the yard to check it out and the guy had pulled out the Inverter thinking it was the battery. After going to the junked car itself, I showed him where the battery used to be (someone had already beaten me to it and pulled it long ago) and showed him a pic of what they look like and how to safely remove them in the future. Without this knowledge, he's lucky someone had already pulled the battery before he disconnected the inverter! Oh well, at least I know he's got a replacement Inverter :)

    So...I believe my next step is to wait for my TechStream cable to come in, figure out how many cells are failing, then order replacement cells. I really can't see spending $2000+ on another full battery with so many miles on this car. I mean, just about any new or even remanufactured battery will probably outlast the car at this point. Changing out cells, although time consuming, is relatively simple and inexpensive from what I'm seeing.

    -Mike
     
    #29 Mike Carambat, Feb 10, 2015
  10. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    If I thought the car was good for another 4-5 years with a new battery, I would spend the $2000 happily. You might also consider that a new battery will markedly improve your lot if you decide to sell the car in the future.

    Best to not be penny wise and pound foolish.

    If you find a couple weak modules and replace them without more extensive full battery conditioning and balancing, your repair will likely last but a couple of months, and weaken the rest of the battery as a free bonus.
     
    #30 SageBrush, Feb 10, 2015
  11. Mike Carambat

    Mike Carambat Junior Member

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    So I have read. I was planning on using a DC6 to balance and recondition each cell. This type of repair is pretty inexpensive to try, and even if it fails, I'm only out by the cost of the cells, unless I do something stupid and fry the Inverter. I can always buy a new pack later if this doesn't work without being out serious bucks. I've done this sorta risk/cost thing before with the stupid LED brake lights. I actually replaced the individual LEDs in mine...I'm that cheap... haha Here's my writeup on that fun little project: $1 Prius LED Brake Light Repair | PriusChat
     
    #31 Mike Carambat, Feb 10, 2015
  12. Mike Carambat

    Mike Carambat Junior Member

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    Whoa... scratch all that. I just found a local hybrid repair place through HomeTown Hybrids that will drive to my house and install a remanufactured battery with a one year warranty for just $1300. This is just cost effective enough for me to justify :)

    Zero complaints from the BBB, and been in business for over 3 years. Anyone have any experience with these guys?

    UPDATE: Geez, also NAPA sells a remanufactured battery with a 3 year warranty for $1389! I should probably go this route and install it myself
     
    #32 Mike Carambat, Feb 10, 2015
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2015
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    are they nation wide?
     
    #33 bisco, Feb 10, 2015
  14. Mike Carambat

    Mike Carambat Junior Member

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    #34 Mike Carambat, Feb 10, 2015
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    huh, formerly houston battery repair. i wonder if that's member
    'Houston Hybrids'?
     
    #35 bisco, Feb 10, 2015
  16. Hometown Hybrids

    Hometown Hybrids Junior Member

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    Why yes it is!
     
    #36 Hometown Hybrids, Feb 10, 2015
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hey, congrats on the new name, i like your website, looks like things are going well! all the best.(y)
     
    #37 bisco, Feb 10, 2015
  18. ataylorracing

    ataylorracing ataylorracing

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    This place in Scotsburg, IN sells rebuilt battery packs for $849...add $120 for install. They also sell rebuilt Prius and a few other models. Prius limos and pickups too.
    Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle PHEV
     
    #38 ataylorracing, Feb 10, 2015
  19. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    I think it's a fair assumption that anyone established in the business of rebuilding these batteries should be fairly reputable. At least it's worthwhile to give them the benefit of the doubt. However, buying one from an unverified source online is just asking for trouble.
     
    #39 GregP507, Feb 10, 2015
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  20. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Autobeyours is one of the most, if not THE MOST, reputable rebuilders one could hope to find. It is very telling that they charge $44 a month for a warranty past 12 months, and only offer a pro-rated warranty for months 6 -12.

    This does not mean they are expensive, it means that rebuilding simply does not last very long.
     
    #40 SageBrush, Feb 10, 2015
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