Prolong Battery Systems. Extending the life of your hybrid. – Hybrid Automotive Is it worth it? I know the principle should work, but anyone try it?
yes, there are quite a few threads here. seems to be a good product, but the biggest stinking point is when to do it. it's a bit of an unknown, but most advice is to start when your battery is good, not after you are having problems.
my 2011 has 108,000 miles and what does the group think about the life of the battery pack and has anyone purchased and used the charger and discharger?
I have it installed. The science behind it is sound (long-accepted fact with rechargeable batteries). I doubt anyone here’s had theirs long enough to compare against Prius owners who don’t have it.
We have a 2010 with 228k miles...still on the original traction battery...the science behind Prolong is good, and from what people say it seems to work, but with a full set of 28 (refurbished/reconditioned) replacement cells available on eBay for $600, with a 1-year warranty, vs $683 for the full charge/discharge Prolong system, I keep going back and forth between the eBay cells vs a Prolong system. I'd love to have access to the Prolong user database so as to be able to share the system easily (each person buying/installing their own wiring harness)...of course that's not exactly what Prolong would want, which is understandable. Hmmmm....
Well, how old are those replacement cells? As old as yours? You just don't know. I think it would be a safer bet to get the prolong system and take care of YOUR battery. You are taking a huge chance of those used cells. You can get new cells for $1600 from newpriusbatteries.com. You will have to change them yourself though. But it's not really that hard of a job. Just time consuming. It depends on how handy you are. Either way, it wouldn't be a bad idea to get the Prolong system and recondition yours, now. Then save up for NEW replacement cells for the future. Then you can use the Prolong system on the new cells to keep it at maximum. Or rent it out, sell it, whatever you choose.
If you're willing to come north a bit, in the Bay Area there are a couple of members who share the Prolong equipment. I used to be one of them until I got a Prime. Maybe PM @SFO and @The Critic and see what they say.
And if you own more than one older Prius as we did, then having the Prolong is a bit of a no brainer.
