Another battery question

4333 Views 6 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Magnus, Apr 16, 2003

Magnus

Discussion Starter · Apr 15, 2003

After some reading on the web I understand that there are a few issues related to the "motorcycle battery" and it's capacity. A co-worker of mine talked to the dealer about replacing the battery a "high capacity" battery, the dealer (Toyota in Sweden) claims that it can be done for a small fee ~ $500. Sounds a bit expensive to me, a "normal" battery for a car is less than $100; du you have any comments or info on this?

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mrv

· #2 · Apr 15, 2003

Magnus said:
After some reading on the web I understand that there are a few issues related to the "motorcycle battery" and it's capacity. A co-worker of mine talked to the dealer about replacing the battery a "high capacity" battery, the dealer (Toyota in Sweden) claims that it can be done for a small fee ~ $500. Sounds a bit expensive to me, a "normal" battery for a car is less than $100; du you have any comments or info on this?

The issues with the 12v accessory battery are that it's easy to flatten the battery (run it down) by either not driving the car for 2+ weeks, or if you leave the headlights on overnight or a door ajar overnight. Once the battery has been flattened once, the lenght of time it can sit unused (undriven) shortens to maybe a week or less. (You can still jumpstart/boost the battery like any other car battery in this situation, though.)

If you feel like replacing the battery here is the instructions someone else already posted:
http://www.mindspring.com/~dparrish/Pri ... Mods2.html

I think the battery leads (cables) are different on the Prius compared to most other cars, so you'll have to modify the ends a bit for a different battery.

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Magnus

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 15, 2003

mrv said:
If you feel like replacing the battery here is the instructions someone else already posted:
http://www.mindspring.com/~dparrish/Pri ... Mods2.html

Cheers, I take it that the extra $400 is for labour then.

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Henry

· #4 · Apr 15, 2003

12v battery

$500---yikes! I just looked into this battery topic the other day. Exide/Champion make a lawn & garden battery (the GT series, price range $30-40) that should fit the Prius battery compartment (the OE battery measures 5"W x 8"L x 8"D). The problem is the terminals, which on the OEM are one centimeter (3/8"+) in diameter: considerably smaller than in the standard American automotive battery. Plus the terminals on the Exide battery are not your standard automotive either, but "L" shaped with a hole in the vertical part of the "L". With a couple of sets of 3/8" nuts/bolts/washers from the hardware store, you could probably use the Prius battery cables with the "L" terminals.

The top of the line Exide GT series is rated at 380 CCA (300 CCA @ 0 F.), which should be plenty enough to nudge the hybrid system into ready state.

Exide batteries are carried at your local KMart if it's still open.

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Magnus

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 15, 2003

Re: 12v battery

Henry said:
Exide batteries are carried at your local KMart if it's still open.

To bad we don't have KMart in Sweden :lol:
I'll have a go tomorrow at a local hardware store. Thx for the information.

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Henry

· #6 · Apr 16, 2003

Magnus,

Check out http://www.tudor.se/Sv/start/index.htm . Tudor is part of the Exide group world-wide and they might have what you need.

Henry

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Magnus

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 16, 2003

Will do, thanks Henry.

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