Battery Maintenance - Revive your Dead or Dying 12v Aux Battery

Why is that exactly ?
Maybe you need to take a deep breath and reconsider your next moves.

Is this car REALLY worth fixing ?
Did the insurance company screw you over ??
Maybe you would be better off trading the wreck in on a low mileage used and making the modest payments that should result.

The 14 volts you read IS the aux. low voltage battery charging voltage and that's good. The propulsion battery is something like 300 volts.

So chances are good that your ONLY real 12 V problem is the battery itself.......probably.

I don't think you need any professional diagnosis of the 12 V problem; just getting the new battery fully charged and installed.

But, once again, I strongly encourage you to consider getting a different car, probably a small non-hybrid in your present situation.

Even if you end up getiing this one "fixed", if you don't pay a professional to do EVERYTHING that it needs, it likely will just be one frustrating problem after another as long as you keep it.

 

Consider getting a digital multimeter. For stop-gap, you can get one under $10. Or for better build and quality, around $50. And read up a bit on batteries. It'll free you up, from complete reliance on mechanics.

 

I'd like to thank DG Bear for his smart experiment & advice. Followed the instruction on my 2010 Prius and the car is starting fine now. Will try updating later on how long it lasts.

 

Have you considered the health risk of unsealing a sealed battery that is in the CAR CABIN with you? Despite the battery vent tube, gases can still escape.
Sulfuric acid is extremely irritating to skin, mucous membranes and to the upper airway and to the lungs. If you inhaled either droplets or particulates with droplets attached, you could experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, sore throat.
I think I'll be buying a new battery rather than trying to fix the old one next time my battery goes bad.

 

i'm just glad the adversarial one has gone his way. makes for a more pleasant conversation.

 

lack of basic knowledge and common sense is epidemic in this country.
1. lead battery "gases" are H2 and O2.
2. H2SO4 is not gas.

 

While there is always RISK involved in opening a SEALED battery, it's generally a safe thing to do. Do note there's a difference between "maintenance free sealed" and truly sealed batteries (like AGM style). The first has ports you can open and add distilled water to replace what's been lost. The latter really can't be opened without doing damage to the battery.

No matter how well most are made, heat causes liquid to evaporate out. This not only weakens the battery's output, but it concentrates the acid strength and causes faster "erosion" of the lead plates. Ensuring proper fluid levels extends the battery's life.

In all honestly, though, if I get 5 years from a battery and the fluid levels are correct and the battery starts showing signs of weakening, I just replace it. Too much trouble if it completely fails in a bad place. You might "save" some money by dragging it out, but it makes as much sense as waiting until your tires are completely bald before changing them. Too much risk of something going bad to justify the decision.

 

Thank you for this most helpful post.
Nice and excellent response to the goofy comments.
I've just filled up my 2006 Prius 12v and am charging it.
Will check back in with results.
Most appreciated.
Cheers.

 

Thanks again BMan! Been looking for the chicken dance thing for my new 2 me 2010. (Is there one? Barley just figured out my 05) Only halfway threw this thread. (some thing wrong with new 10. 44 MPG)

Just wanted to say thanks to DG and Bisco!
and forgive the OT, all.

 

i don't know, but if there is, i hope you find it!

 

My UK Toyota Dealer (Dealership) replaced my OEM battery that failed at nearly ten years with a regular unsealed battery. (I thought I was paying for an OEM or at least an AGM replacement. With hindsight it was not a great deal. See my other threads for details). At least with the new one I will have the option of adding some deionized or distilled water to extend the life, if needed -- the charging regime for a regular lead acid battery may be a bit extreme.

Thanks to the OP this seems like a reasonable option (if gases and vapours can be safely vented -- cars are not hazard free, but risks can be managed). [Oh, and your argument would have been a little more credible if you had said, 'cited,' not 'sited.' DG] Thanks for posting nonetheless.

 

Good you sighted that.

 

As my battery reached 12.3V I ordered OptiMate 5 Start/Stop charger, deionized water and will give it a go.
OptiMate 5 Start/Stop


@DG Bear thanks for sharing. Also, a few posters above said that they will update how long they extended the battery life. I ask out of curiosity.

 

"Revitalizing" a dead or dying 12 V battey is a MYTH.
Regardless of what has been said earlier in this thread.

 

Mine may be weak as it was never topped up but not dead completely. I shall see when the charger arrives.

 

A short term improvement often is possible just with a "plain" charger, meaning a few weeks or months.
But that doesn't hardly qualify as a "revival".

The charger you ordered probably is just an automatic smart charger with a fancy face.
Just don't expect a miracle.