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Portable 12v Battery Jump Starters

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by ssdesigner, Aug 1, 2016.

  1. ssdesigner

    ssdesigner Active Member

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    With some of the recent posts about the 12v battery I thought I would research this. I'm not seeing anything specific to the 2016 Gen4 Prii, so because this is my first Prius I'm not sure the 12v batteries have been exactly the same since the Gen1 Prius.

    Does anyone carry a portable battery jump unit in their car? If so, does any standard model work without doing damage?

    Any other tips about the jumpers you may (or may not) use, hookup tips etc would be helpful to myself and other new Prius owners here. Thanks in advance.
     
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  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Gen 4 battery is in the engine compartment, so jump points shouldn't be a problem. Positive clamp on positive terminal on battery, negative clamp on a solid ground, usually a bolt in the engine compartment.

    Just about any jump pack will do since there's no starter motor to drive, just some relays, etc.

    The main thing is to ensure you don't reverse the polarity when jumping the Prius.
     
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I've used our Jump-N-Carry 660 (JNC660) a fair number of times, pretty dependable. The older ones you had to guestimate how much to recharge them, but now their charger automatically shuts down when it's topped up. Good solid case, slim enough that it fits in third gen hatch underfloor tray, but that's not going to work for you with 2016. It might slip under a front seat ok.

    Jump Starters - 1700 Peak Amp Volt JNC660 | Call us at 1-800-328-2921 |Clore Automotive

    Everybody's going to be chauvinistic towards what they've bought, myself included, lol. There are some very compact jumpstarters too, as long as it's for light duty like the Prius could be just fine.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Aug 1, 2016
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2016
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  4. ssdesigner

    ssdesigner Active Member

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    Thank you to both of you, I appreciate the information.

    I'm in Minnesota, so I feel like having a jump start option is an absolute must with our winters (no offense to the Great White North...but it's damn cold here, lol)

    I just want to be sure I learn HOW to jump it before I need to do so, and that I'm buying a charger that won't harm my car.

    Also looking into 12v batteries.....yup. I'm a HUGE plan ahead kind of guy. And I like the idea of buying an Optima when the time comes if they have a 2016 option. Email sent to them :)
     
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  5. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    I've used mine once on my 2009 Gen II, and numerous times on neighbours' vehicles (anything from Jeep Cherokee to divers Chevys), also I've used mine to recharge my SmartPhone and Tablet, and once or twice I've used the flash-light - details see threads passim (search is your friend!) Good luck! - hope this helps - Wil
     
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  6. dandeman

    dandeman Junior Member

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    Concur with the Clore Automotive choice... I have the Jump-N-Air model which also includes the air compressor for the tires... I got used to traveling in my Toyota 4Runner 4x4 which I've added dual batteries and a 1/3 hp air compressor for off roading.

    Over the years I've had a battery that tested good at the start of the trip... going into failure in a remote area in South Dakota and.. picked up nails in two tires on another trip..

    I feel naked going on long trips with out extra battery power and an air source for the tires.. Batteries and tires are the two most common failures that strand people . The Jump-N-Air goes in the Prius on any extended trip.
     
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  7. ssdesigner

    ssdesigner Active Member

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    WilDavis....when you say "one", do you mean the same model charger, or a different model?
     
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  8. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    Sorry, where did I say "one" - I think I mentioned the model I bought last year from batterymart.com in one of the previous threads, and I'm sure I could find it by using the "search" function, but I've no need since I already have mine (and I bought a couple more for friends) and I didn't want to spoil the fun for you by removing the need for you doing your own search! (…it really is very simple!) ;)
     
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  9. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    image.jpeg
    Since Prius just needs enough power to boot up the computer system, I am carrying this small lithium-ion battery pack. It is much lower weight than the lead-acid versions I have had, but I have not had to use it on the Prius yet. I carry a full sized spare, and that is already an extra 12 pounds or so, and I am tying to not weigh down the car unnecessarily with the emergency battery pack.
     
  10. ssdesigner

    ssdesigner Active Member

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    My apologies for not adhering to semantics. ;)

    I stated that I searched, and your post of "mine" needed more info. So, please let me substitute the quoted language to push my point that I am in need of further info.

    Look, I get it. I'm on dozens of forums where new people come in and ask stupid questions. Questions that may be found in 30 seconds of searching.

    THIS IS NOT ONE OF THOSE FORUMS. It's clunky, unorganized and difficult. So, yes. I do my do diligence and hit search first.

    Now that I've got my scolding and explanation of "I get it" out of the way....thank you for the help. As always, it is GREATLY appreciated. ;)
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    The 2016's battery looks to have regular (North American style) posts, and since it's in the engine compartment, maybe not even AGM??
     
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    could be. keep in mind the gen 4 12v is vastly improved over the past gen's. you may want to research the differences before investing a lot in past gen problem solvers.
     
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  13. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    How so? Won't it have to tolerate a much warmer environment?
     
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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Could someone with a 2016 maybe post a picture of the labels on their 12 volt battery?
     
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  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    they were able to put a much larger battery in. no idea how engine bay warmth affects the life of a typical car battery, but the prius 12v problems all stem from not being able to withstand a deep discharge without significant capacity loss.
     
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  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I'm wondering if it's even an AGM. Either way, being in the engine bay would seem to negate the need to stay AGM, which should open the floodgates for reasonably priced replacement batteries.
     
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  17. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Here is a photo of the GS-Yuasa 345LN1-MF battery in my 3 day old 2016 Prius. It appears to be a "Maintenance-Free", flooded cell, 45 AH lead acid battery.

    Jeffd
     

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  18. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    IIRC 45Ah is a bigger capacity than the Gen 3 had.
     
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  19. ssdesigner

    ssdesigner Active Member

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    That's interesting. When I emailed Optima about the 2016 battery they said this:

    Thank you for your interest in Optima Batteries. The DS46B24R is a direct fit auxiliary battery for 2004 and newer Toyota Prius models. This battery uses the OE style pencil post and vent port.
     
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  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    That sounds like they don't fully understand, inserted a "boiler plate" response. With the 2016 there's no need to vent, and the posts look to be regular North American diameters.
     
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