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2010 gen III hybrid battery

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by barnabas, Dec 1, 2009.

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  1. Tom183

    Tom183 New Member

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    I have seen as low as 2 bars, after running down the battery with a short electric-only drive, then parking it for an hour in cold weather (20F), then restarting and covering the same short electric-only drive. While the ICE is warming up, the system leans heavily on the electric motors unless you really stomp it, and apparently that means it will go low on the charge if necessary.
     
    #21 Tom183, Feb 8, 2010
  2. sguerra923

    sguerra923 Junior Member

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    Just out of curiousity, what is the life span of the prius battery? Would it eventually need to be replaced after awhile?
     
    #22 sguerra923, Feb 9, 2010
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    "Life of the vehicle" according to Toyota. The oldest Prius cab is a 2001 model with over 500,000km (he hasn't updated in years so he might be closer to 1,000,000km but who knows). Newer ones (05-06s) are closing in on 500,000km as well (they do 100,000-160,000km per year in my city).
     
    #23 Tideland Prius, Feb 9, 2010
  4. sguerra923

    sguerra923 Junior Member

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    Yeah that's what I thought it would be the "Life of the vehicle" people now are tripping saying that it would have to be replaced after so many miles.. Must be the recall that is bring up these false rumors
     
    #24 sguerra923, Feb 9, 2010
  5. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    The NHW11 batteries, 2001-03, are a weaker design than the NHW20. So far, the NHW20s have very seldom failed so the ones from crashed NHW20s are starting to be used to rebuild worn out NHW11 batteries.

    The NHW11 prismatic batteries, 2001-03, have relatively weak terminal seals. When they get hot and have a heavy charge put on them, part of the electrolyte is converted to oxygen and hydrogen gas under high pressure. Over time, small amounts leak out of the seals, drying out the electrolyte and forcing the current through smaller battery areas ... raising the temperature at parts of the plastic-fiber separator. When a little bit of the separator melts, the cell is shorted, a permanent failure.

    In contrast, the NHW20 modules are very well made with substantially improved terminals. If not stressed by heat and high charging currents, there is no known life limiting chemistry. The plastic case is probably the life limiting factor and protected from light, they should continue to work for centuries.
    It is more likely that the car will be lost in an accident and then someone will remove the traction battery to be used in any remaining NHW11s.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #25 bwilson4web, Feb 9, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    lol. It's always been around. We've always heard "every two years" or "every 5 years" and at a cost of anywhere from $2k to $10k. I'm not sure if I've heard mileage-based rumours.

    A new battery runs $2k plus labour and tax if you're curious.
     
    #26 Tideland Prius, Feb 10, 2010
  7. neergh

    neergh New Member

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    Does the Prius charge the traction battery at the same rate in 'B' mode as normal 'D' mode?
     
    #27 neergh, Feb 10, 2010
  8. sguerra923

    sguerra923 Junior Member

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    WOW Bob thank you for your detailed response! Good to know that the battery will last for a long time..
     
    #28 sguerra923, Feb 10, 2010
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