Which 12v battery is the best?

[baja454]

I need to replace the 12v battery in my '01 but not sure what is the best battery. Should I go with the Exide, Optima or the Toyota? Are there any advantages or dis-advantages to them besides having to use a kit to make the non Toyota batteries fit?
Thanks

[Patrick Wong]

I do not think that the Toyota dealer parts counters carry the Classic original equipment GS battery any longer. You'll most likely have to buy the replacement Panasonic battery as well as the battery conversion kit that contains a new battery bracket and cable connectors.

I had installed the Panasonic when I owned my 2001. It is a tight fit into the available space. The trunk trim cover goes over the new battery bracket and bulged out a little.

I think the Optima is a reasonable choice, as long as you are aware of the need to install new battery cable connectors and adjust the battery bracket to fit.

I'm not aware that you can purchase an Exide which is AGM and will fit the available space. Good luck with your choice.

[orange4boy]

I don't have an Optima in my Prius yet but I use them on other vehicles and they are excellent batteries. The beating they can take is astounding and they last longer than a conventional floodie. Having a deep cycle there would be extra insurance against a door left ajar and the like. It will probably outlast your car.

Gels like the Hawkers are best suited where high current flow is needed which does not apply to the Prius.

There are regular aftermarket batteries that don't need the kit so that's the cheap way to go. That's what is in mine now.

[baja454]

What did you use for an aftermarket battery? The local dealer has an orginal style for $138.

[jk450]

Originally Posted by Patrick Wong

I do not think that the Toyota dealer parts counters carry the Classic original equipment GS battery any longer.

If you are using the word "carry" to mean "keep in stock", then that will be dependent on each dealer's inventory level.

However, the original spec battery is indeed available, although I don't remember whether or not GS Yuasa is the supplier these days.

Some dealers won't know whether or not the battery they are selling is the larger one, and I've seen dealers mistakenly sell the original spec battery as the "upgrade".

Last I checked, the larger battery went for about $200.

[bwilson4web]

Hi,






Installed January, 2009, no problems.



Bob Wilson

[orange4boy]

The one in mine was installed by the last owner. Brand is Battery direct. part numbers and everything on attached photo.

It is a normal maintenance free flooded lead acid. No kit needed. Don't know the cost.

Group B20L. Ask for this type at your local parts store.

[jk450]

From the last photograph of bwilson4web's modification, it appears that the battery terminals are positioned in such a way that they could both short against the right rear frame rail if the vehicle takes a hard hit to that corner. Vehicle manufacturers normally design battery mounting locations so as to avoid such issues.

In my opinion, that flaw—in addition to the tie wraps, the wooden blocks, the need to fabricate adaptors for the cable connections, and the lack of any significant advantage to this installation—render it undesirable. Unless, of course, it's a temporary fix, and the only choice between walking and driving.

Not everything in the world needs to be redesigned. I'd recommend a Toyota battery.

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by jk450

. . . a temporary . . .

Yea! You got it right! We'll call the Odyssey battery "temporary". <GRINS>

Bob Wilson

[jk450]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

Yea! You got it right! We'll call the Odyssey battery "temporary".

Regarding your handiwork, I didn't say that it was a temporary fix. I only recommended to readers of this forum that such an installation be considered only as a temporary solution. I'm sure you are happy with your work. Proud, even.

And not to put too fine a point on it, but I posted only because I saw multiple problems with your installation, and because I believe the readers of this forum deserve to know about those problems. Remember that the original poster asked for the best solution to 12V battery replacement. In my opinion, your "solution" falls short. If you disagree, please tell the forum why you disagree.

While I have no doubt that you mean well when you post, many of your recent posts have been riddled with misinformation. That in itself is not your fatal flaw; to err is human. And please know that I have not pointed out every error that you have posted; I simply don't have the time to do so.

The problem, as I see it, is that you now seek to impede corrections to those errors. At first, you raised objections to my observations. Yet you have not successfully countered a single one. And lately, rather than acknowledge the misinformation that you have posted, you have resorted to sarcasm and condescension. Not exactly the hallmarks of someone who is seeking knowledge.

With regret, I am forced to conclude that when faced with a choice between (1) providing accurate information to readers of this forum and (2) protecting your ego, ego trumps information.

Why is that?