New Optima Battery DOA (almost); And Getting Worse

I have a 2008 Prius with 80K miles. The original battery voltage has been on a slow decline for several months. In December, 2011 (last month!) I ordered an Optima Battery Kit from eLearnaid.com. This is my second battery from them; the first was in my wife’s 2006 Prius, back in December 2010.

The battery arrived in its usual protective shipping container. After unpackaging, I checked the voltage and it was 11.1 volts and 44% of charge. I went ahead and installed it and put it on a 2 amp charge overnight. I send eLearnaid.com an email and explained the battery’s condition upon receipt.

Bernard Littman responded to my email and said that “You are the second person who has reported this to me. I am not sure what is going on.†He requested that I send him the serial number off the sticker, located on the side of the battery. The sticker was not visible and would require removal of the battery to view it. I advised Mr. Littman that it would be several weeks before I would have the opportunity to remove the battery, get the number and reinstall the battery…

I was able to pull the battery this morning. I took some pictures that show the static voltage in the 11’s. I also put the Prius into diagnostic mode to use its onboard voltage/signal checker. There are two readings, 11.4 with nothing turned on and 10.8 with the headlights on (they are HID, so they draw less voltage than a halogen system). I failed to click a picture, but when applying the brakes the voltage dropped to 10.4.

After removing the battery, I attached my load tester and got 11.8 volts static. With a load it dropped to 9.5 volts.

I sent Mr. Littman an email a few minutes ago, with pictures attached. I explained that this is not acceptable and that I needed another battery. I will update this thread as I receive info from him.

 

Thanks Steve,

I just got a phone call from Mr. Littman at eLearnaid.com. They are shipping me a new battery! YEA!!!!! That is what I call excellent customer service.

I would recommend to anyone purchasing a new battery to check the voltage and state of charge before installing. Had I not done that, I would not have known that I was starting with a defective battery, albeit a new one!

 

Have you checked your voltage after it has sat overnight? The Prius battery can really be in sad shape and as long as it has enough power to start the computer...you may never know. Well...until either it won't start the computer or other strange things start happening.

 

You can check the voltage through the MFD. With everything off (including the lights) push the start button two times (without using the brake). Hold down the Info button and turn your parking lights on/off three times. That will bring up a menu. You are looking for the Vehicle Signal Check (I think that is the correct wording). When finished, his hit the Start button again to shut it down.

 

Geezer,
I think the first one I bought (year ago) was around 12.6 when it arrived. Excellent battery! ...except mine!

 

Red,
12.4 should be fine. Most strong batteries will be between 12.4 & 12.7 after being off charge for a day. ...some a little more, some a little less. Then there is exactly how accurate the meter is, etc, etc. Had mine been 12.4 I wouldn't have even given it a second thought! Go for it!

Oh, me personally... I like to put a new battery on a slow charge overnight before putting it into service. Not necessary... just me.

 

Patrick,
Thanks for correcting my numbers. I was not aware the AGM type batteries would hold a surface charge that high. That's good to know. ...appreciated!

 

Jim,
Thank you for your concern. Since eLearnaid.com is a reseller of your product...I will have to say it again... I was very impressed with their level of customer service. My original email to them about the battery's condition was met and responded to in a very prompt and professional manner. That level of service is hard to come by these days.

When my new battery arrives I will post it's condition on this tread. Thanks again!