12v Battery advice: recharge, replace, etc?

Hi. I'm considering what to do about my 12v battery. 2012 Prius v, approx 67k miles. Not been driven often, recently.

Never had battery related problems. Spent, about, a day looking at threads (here and on Reddit) to try to figure out the situation, before finally just calling AAA yesterday, while hoping it wasn't the hybrid battery and that a jumpstart could help--and it did. ..but, the service guy warned that we should get a new 12v, asap.

The threads I looked at got me to consider a few points, beyond just going to Toyota for a replacement. ..I am not technically competent when it comes to cars--I do have a helpful uncle who's a pretty competent DIY mechanic (tho with non hybrids). ..so I'm making 'barely-educated guesses' or theories about what might work, based on my limited research over the past couple days. Plus, a big factor is that we are financially struggling:

• analyze/assess current state of battery, and whether still viable if recharged/revitalized (idk the proper technical term)? ..based on assessment, how long could we 'push it to the limit'?
• tho I'd like to avoid nontraditional options (esp if they'd involve a learning curve akin to a pro mechanic): I saw a Redditor mention their personal experience (https://bit.ly/2NRQMsI) replacing his sister's Gen 3 Prius (same gen as mine) 12v with a 12v battery that's apparently for wheelchairs and, provided a still working link to buy it (currently $113). ..this brings up extra concerns, like: we'd be forced to DIY with the help of my uncle--could we make any install errors that affect the car or longevity of the battery (?); how long might it last compared to an OEM battery; plus anything else I may have failed to consider
• simply buy OEM battery and DIY install with help of uncle?

I also did price comparisons of 3 diff Toyota dealerships on parts/labor. They actly did vary a bit. Best of those was $359 plus tax (Idk if I called up more dealerships I could get a lower quote?--3 seemed reasonable).

And, I talked to a local LA mom and pop shop that works exclusively on hybrids (AAA guy recommended it--Electric Avenue) and, they told me $329 parts/labor plus tax--tho not OEM, 'Interstate' brand, who they say is as good as OEM. ..Not a drastic price difference. (And this shop's guy, was leaning more toward replace, rather than assess/recharge, etc).

Last concern: I noticed the car's computer likely needs setting up. Not sure what to do or how big of a problem this can be. ..Doing reverse in our driveway, the reverse camera's guidelines dont turn/work (there's a popup box saying they need recalibration).

Obviously any OEM route is what we favor but, with finances being tight, we are considering those extra options. What do you think? Thanks for reading.

 

hi. thx.... do you have any specific thoughts on the Interstate battery, or the wheelchair battery (not that i get what vented means but, i assume it's vented, since that dude said he installed one)?

 

thx. sorry but...not sure what you mean. ..are you offering to help install?

also: that duracell 'sounds' like a good deal. ..but, many ppl in priuschat seem to say they've had bad experience with non-OEM batteries. i wish i had more of a basis to make a comparison. ..bc to a know-nothing-noob like me, the wheelchair battery seems like a good idea, too, bc it's the cheapest--but i could be wrong

 

hi. thx for replying. i mean, i can see that it's not that difficult for someone that seemingly has plenty of experience, like you, so I'll take your word for it but, it may as well be brain surgery, for me, lol. ..like, having worked once as a food buyer for a catering company, i could tell you what looks like low quality vs lower quality ingredients and why. but, i dont have that perspective when it comes to batteries for hybrids (or non hybrids).

what if, i gathered more research on prices, and brought it back to you? (just a spitball-idea, not set in stone)
any thoughts on the two non oem batteries i mentioned?

 

thx so much!
well, i hope i can do some shopping around for prices tmrw...$150 would be great, if it's as decent compared to an OEM! ..today i couldnt rly focus on the car stuff. tmrw is sorta up in the air. ..was considering going to that shop and get the battery tested (the offered for free) and see what condition it rly is in (?)...idk if that's a dumb idea.

understood abt the exact match. ..now, granted, that wheelchair battery might not be vented--it was hard to be sure. did you happen to click that link tho? (direct link to the battery clerk store is in there) he said he did it himself for his sister's gen3 (same gen as mine)

 

wow, thanks!

hmm, im a bit comfused by that link, bc it says $200 w/ discount but, right below that, it says: "MSRP and price exclude taxes, installation, shipping, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price."

Idk abt tomorrow. i was considering getting my battery tested at that shop to see what the actual condition is and if they can tell me exactly how much life it has left. ..plus, im not even sure what model/brand battery to get, yet. i didnt have a chance to do car/battery related research today. ..also, i dont rly understand why it's a good thing, for me, that you have the techstream and foxwell. ...can you run the same tests on batteries that i want to do at the shop in SilverLake?

 

oh, and i also looked at their site and it says under specifications and footnotes "Battery is vented outside of vehicle." ..but, yeah, based off the picture, it's hard to tell if it's vented

 

oh, i see! thx for clarifying!

how do you feel abt your yellow optima so far? and how long have you had it?

also...by chance, did you click through that link i added? it has the battery clerk store link within. ...i couldnt tell if the wheelchair battery is vented or not, but the dude claims he did it for his sister's gen3.