Upgrading the 12-volt battery in a Classic

I replaced the 12v battery in my 2002 about a month ago. Had a few problems that I think were unique to my car. Everything worked out in the end. Here is the discussion:

http://priuschat.com/forums/care-ma.../44676-12-v-battery-replacement-wont-run.html

 

For about a year my accessory battery was in steady decline. I first noticed that when the Prius was powered on the computer display and the LEDs in the dash display would go dim, then brighten and the engine would start. Sometimes it would not start at all unless the heat/AC switch was turned off. Then after a weekend of not being driven the car would not start, then just overnight it would not start. I suspected the accessory battery; after all, if it was the original it was eight years old.

I read the article about the Miata battery conversion but in the end elected to shell out the $170 for the OEM deep-cycle battery. I was afraid the Miata battery (a starting battery) would not last long in deep-cycle service. I tried three parts places but discovered Toyota somehow still has the market cornered.

My local Toyota dealership got the battery in one day. They are delivered fully charged and it instantly solved all my electrical issues.

Cool!
.......MontyMan.

 

I have a 2002 Classic with 123,000 miles on it.

I needed to replace the Battery (accesory) last Feb 2008.

I live in Minnesota, Because of our weather extremes -20 f in Winter
95 + summers, we normally get 3 years or so on a battery.( i got 5)

I tried a of brand and it didn't work out so I got the 145.00 one from
Toyota. They did offer me a stronger battery modification for 195.00.

This Modification would use a normal sized post bigger (amp size)
and convert my old connectors to the larger size needed.

I decided the old size worked for 5 years so I just replaced it with the same
battery from Toyota.

Tom

2002 Prius
and
2005 Prius

 

One of the first things I'm going to do once my G1 actually gets delivered to me is see if I can squeeze an optima red top in there (I already have a spare). They are a gel type ventless battery that may be a good application for this car. A lot of performance car enthusiasts relocate their batteries from the engine bay to the trunk anyway to make more room for intercoolers, air intakes, etc... and don't seem to be concerned about battery venting.

Which also makes me ponder.... can we do the reverse relocation and put the battery back the engine bay (especially if it is that small....)?

 

If TSB EL014-03 was done on your Classic, you have a larger, higher-capacity battery with standard (for US) size terminal posts. The dealer will have replaced the tray, hold down, and cable clamps so the larger battery and standard posts fit perfectly and look perfectly stock.

That still doesn't help much with finding a replacement, because even this battery is an uncommon size (there is a low clearance to the traction battery vent duct) and still needs to be a spill-proof technology with a hose attachment for the relief valve. The TSB upgrade battery is a Panasonic S55D23L.

A thread with this information and the battery dimensions is here:
https://priuschat.com/forums/prius-technical-discussion/46026-aux-battery-specs-nhw11-post-tsb.html

The fuse is 120A. You are not likely to blow it in jumping another vehicle as long as you *only* use the jump connection to charge the other battery, and *remove* the cables before trying to crank the other vehicle. That's an especially good idea because the fuse is really an attempt to protect your DC/DC converter, which is more money on the line than the price of a fuse.

-Chap

 

Uhh ... looked under the hood yet?

-Chap

 

Uh, kinda hard to on account I don't have the car in my possession yet. I can dream can't I?

 

Did you ever do this? I too have an extra red top and would like to replace the OEM battery before winter arrives.

 

I upgraded my (2nd) Westco Replacement battery with an Optima Yellow top a few weeks ago. I didn't need to convert that much since the Westco had been in there previously. It was easy to install and works great.

For those keeping track, yes, my 4th 12V Battery. My wife leaves the inside lights on occasionally, usually all day or overnight in the winter. And with kids, the occasional door open all night, too. I wish it didn't happen, but going through only 3 12-Volt batteries in 8 years is pretty good in our household. original-2yrs, Westcos-3yrs each. We're going for 4 or more years on the Yellow Top.

I would suggest looking at Prius parts for decent 12V battery prices and easy kits with nice instructions on getting it done yourself. They even provided custom instructions for me when switching from WestCo to the Optima Yellow Top.

P.S. Keep the original vent tube connector from the original Toyota battery, you'll need it for the Yellow Top.

 

Hi; could I get clarification on which side in trunk?

Some sites say far R; some say far L; I have an '01 -- which side is it actually? I have stuff in trunk I'm going to have to move. Also, I swear I replaced battery less than 5 yrs ago. How much of a warranty do batteries usually have?

Boyfriend ordered replacement from AutoZone; I don't think my b-friend realizes it's in the trunk and I don't think he's going to be able to put in himself. Probably Autozone people won't put it in, either.

So what's the recommendation on type of battery to get so that it doesn't go bad in less than 3-5 years?

I don't think a jump will do it (I believe I left map light on) as for about 3 weeks - a mo. I'd be listening to an audio c.d. and when I stopped the car, about 1 minute later the screen (with the mileage, time, temp etc.) would go blank.

Never any problem starting car, however.

Any help appreciated, but mainly for sure need to know what side!!!!!! (If you could say driver's side/pass side, not just R or L bc might depend where you're standing)

Thanks!

pp

 

I'm also interested in recommendations for 12-volt batteries. Last time I replaced mine I went with an OEM one from Toyota (Panasonic brand I think) which probably wasn't the best deal.

The battery is on the driver's side. Looks like they moved it to the passenger's side in the Gen 2, hence the conflicting information.

 

For this exact reason, a car's left or right is always referenced standing behind the car looking forward, or sitting in the driver's seat facing forward.

 

I replaced my 12 V battery with one that I got here on the website I believe which was e-learning and they happen to offer the GEN 2 optima battery along with the conversion kit, which was changing the battery terminal ends to the larger size that the GEN 2 uses. There were a little bit of modifications to have to be made because of the larger size of the battery but everything was very simple to do. My question now is my app. My battery seems like it needs to be replaced and I am wondering if anybody has used a different manufacturer for the 2002 GEN 1 Prius?

 

I have replaced a bunch of Gen 1 OEM batteries with Group 51R from InterState, including refitting the original (small) battery connectors with US Standard size connectors. Some woodworking is necessary to get a 2x4 or comparable bit of lumber under the battery so it fits stably in the space of the original battery. A 7 year(+/- 2 years) lifespan can be expected.

 

What dabard051 said. I currently have an Interstate 51R installed in my '02 since May 2017, and it's still going strong. Located in the trunk, the 12V is spared the stresses of heat and cold exposure under the hood. The OE Panasonic 12V lasted about ten years, then I converted the clamps to US standard so I could use domestic brands. I shimmed underneath with a piece of high-density board from the scrap box, to raise the battery case about an inch. The original hold-down was replaced with a rubber cargo strap, and a new ground cable installed. I did not bother with venting, despite dire warnings from certain individuals on the old Yahoo Prius board, and have had absolutely no problems in that regard, recalling that I drove a '64 VW Beetle for many years with the (unvented) 6v battery under the rear seat! Replacing the positive (red) clamp is literally a snap, as it bolts right onto the existing connection; the hardest part was getting the original bolt loose. All of the described mods were non-destructive and are totally reversible. The entire procedure makes for a very satisfying DIY project, and at minimal cost.

P.S. When the Interstate battery fails, I'm going with this one: https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/battery/lawn-tractor-and-mower/sliu1rxhd
It should be perfectly adequate to boot the hybrid system, et al. I already have the bolt-on conversion terminals to fit the US standard clamps I installed (see above).