Is it likely that sometime in the next couple of years that we will start seeing "after market" batteries for Prius? And hopefully, bring the price down to something a bit more reasonable.
Right now there are companies like Hymotion getting ready to market plug-in batteries to give you usable EV range but we're talking $10k for the conversion. Some folks around hear (Cheap! and at least one other guy) are doing their own add-on projects using relatively inexpensive but heavy lead-acid batteries for a whole lot less money. (Couple grand maybe?) Who knows what's next. Toyota doesn't seem happy about people converting their cars to plug-in so it's going to be a tough market to grow, especially given the prices.
I'm betting he is talking of the 12V one. It's a little overpriced, at $250 and up. For what it is. Haven't seen one yet, but there may be a close enough one made for motorcycles. Or one of the motorcycle battery manufacturers may do that size soon. At the Toyota price, I'd go the Optima route (size 51 Yellow top). You get a much higher capacity sealed AGM battery. Just have to do the fitting/hold-down/connection conversion. They cost around $220.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Jul 22 2007, 10:32 AM) [snapback]483134[/snapback]</div> Is an adapter kit available? I'd rather buy a well-engineered solution than cobble something together.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Jul 22 2007, 01:41 PM) [snapback]483180[/snapback]</div> I had Oriley auto parts in Augusta, GA call optima to order me a size 51 optima yellow top. Optima told the guy at Oriley's that the Optima 51 yellow top was discontinued and NLA (No longer available). I was considering this for my car as an upgrade so we are back to the drawing board or Hobbit's post on battery removal and pics and measurments. Sorry for the bad news. You are willing to do the call on your own and do your own DD on this issue. Please post if you find a great inexpensive way to make this happen. D Rock
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(D Rock @ Jul 22 2007, 02:55 PM) [snapback]483212[/snapback]</div> The Optima 51r battery (reversed terminals) was pulled by Optima when many of them started to exhibit early failures. There is a Duralast 51r (Autozone) which should be fittable and, of course, you can buy a kit on ebay consisting of a decent miata-sized battery and adapter parts which was originally put together for the classic Prius. JeffD
My recommendation is Odysseybatteries (Heavy-Duty and Miltary Grade, AGM (Dry Cell) Batteries, which can be put on there side and they are used in these industries: car audio and racing (on and off road vehicles), ATV's, Watercraft, Motorcycles, Marine, and especially commerical use. Global Headquarters EnerSys P.O. Box 14145 Reading, PA 19612-4145, USA Tel: +1-610-208-1991 Toll-free: +1-800-538-3627 Fax: +1-610-372-8613 Regional Sales EnerSys Energy Products Inc. 617 N. Ridgeview Drive Warrensburg, MO 64093-9301, USA Tel: +1-660-429-2165 Fax:+1-660-429-1758 EnerSys Limited Rake Lane, Clifton Junction, Manchester M27 8LR UK email Tel: +44 (0)161 727 3952 Fax: +44 (0)161 727 3805 EnerSys Australia Pty Ltd 7 Walker Place, Wetherill Park, NSW, Australia 2164 Tel: + 61 (0) 29756 1870 Fax: + 61 (0) 29757 4537 Toll-free: 1-800-550-153 ------------------------------------- 1a) Enersys Corporation http://www.enersysreservepower.com/ody_b.asp?brandID=5 1b) Enersys Corporation - Factory in Warrensburg, MO http://www.odysseyfactory.com/ 1c) ODYSSEY Battery Specs http://www.odysseyfactory.com/specs.htm 1d) ODYSSEY Sales http://www.odysseyfactory.com/odybuy.htm 2) Master Distributor of Odyssey Drycell Batteries: West Coast Batteries Inc. 410 Le Roy Drive Corona, Ca. 92879 Toll Free (888) 379-2555 http://www.odysseybatteries.com/
Try the Kinetik HC 1400, it is 60 AH, used alot on the sound-off circuits. E-bay has them all the time. Wayne
