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Hot climate average 12V Battery life

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by skiddlebob, Jun 14, 2020.

  1. skiddlebob

    skiddlebob New Member

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    In a very hot climate (Tucson, AZ), what is the average life of the 12V battery of my 2017 Prius Two?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    i think the average is 4 years. it depends on a lot of factors. personally, i'd buy a jump pack before replacing a perfectly fine working 12v
     
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  3. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

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    Bisco, the theory is good... but it's not practical. In places like Vegas and Tuscon, car interior temperatures can reach 145F. Anything over 135-140F is really, really bad for the Li Ion batteries in jump packs. So storing one in your car isn't necessarily the best idea.
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i retract my recommendation :p
     
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  5. pianewman

    pianewman Active Member

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    I am always pro-active re: battery replacement, since my 40 year ownership of VW/Audis. They did NOT handle low voltage well, and would shut down w/o any warning, or have bizarre electrical issues. ALL current cars are also vulnerable to spontaneous battery failure, without any warning of any kind.

    I resorted to replacing batteries by the calendar, every 3.5 to 4 years. NEVER went beyond 4 years. I figured a new battery ($80-160 over the years) was MUCH cheaper than the inconvenience (a failed battery is ALWAYS an inconvenience!) of being stranded with a failed battery. I'm not an electrician, but I've been told by some that a low battery will also put a strain on electronics.

    Just my opinion, of course.

    Ford actually has a map in their service department, showing life expectancy of 12V batteries in the US. Your (also my) region says 32 months, on average. Yes, it's Ford, not Toyota, but I'll wager timing is similar.
     
  6. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Semi-tropics here - mine has had it's 4th birthday, still going strong.
     
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  7. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    If it ain't broke, don't fix it. ;)
     
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  8. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Here is the map.

    Screenshot 2020-04-26 at 10.41.23 AM.png
     
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  9. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    What specific car does it relate to?
     
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  10. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Not car specific. It is a generalized map for automobile battery expectancy in the US strictly based on the average temperature.
    Source: Batteries Etc. - Home

    The figure I posted is just an example. You can find similar maps all over the internet.
    Shop Genuine OEM Car Batteries for Your Toyota
    What No One Tells You About Car Battery Life - CAR FROM JAPAN
    Battery Testing | Interstate All Battery Centers
    Interstate Batteries in Bethlehem PA, Allentown PA | Austin’s Auto Service
     
    #10 Salamander_King, Jun 16, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2020
  11. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    Can confirm - was shocked when my replacement battery (in a pickup truck) lasted 2 years. OEM batteries seems to do better than the replacements.

    For here, it's so hot that I take off and throw-away the thermal blanket (a fiber covering) on new vehicle batteries - for vehicles operated mostly here, they really don't need any help retaining heat.

    I honestly have not looked to see if my 2019 has a battery cover / blanket, but if it does I probably will be taking it off.
     
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  12. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Very much depends on the vehicle. I had 2 VW Microbuses - rear engine, air-cooled, the battery was in the draft of air heading to cool the engine etc - and kept cool. The batteries lasted "forever".

    I replaced it with a Mitsubishi Starwagon ('91) - batteries didn't last 2 years, as they were tucked into a hot corner underneath the Driver's seat.

    VOLVO 244 - battery behind front headlight, in airstream - don't know how long battery lasted - was still same one after 5 years when I sold it.
     
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  13. pianewman

    pianewman Active Member

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    My experience with TDI "Clean Diesel" ownership, and TDIClub, led many members to conclude that modern 12V battery QC is rather poor.
     
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  14. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    Unfortunately in this throw away society, like many modern things, made to minimum specifications, not over engineered or made to last, controlled by accountants instead of engineers.
     
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  15. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    We saw this with my GF's Mercedes SUV - battery was tucked under the passenger's seat IIRC, accessible from within the vehicle only. Black SUV, south Florida sun and heat in a closed-up vehicle - battery didn't last long. It was probably a good winter and Northern-climate design, but was not that impressive here.
     
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