Optima Yellow Top Battery Replacement

welcome to priuschat, another thread said pep boys has them on sale and you get a $100. charger for free. make sure you get the model with the correct size posts and that it has a full charge before installing. all the best!

 

Also consider the Exide Amazon.com: Exide Edge FP-AGM51JIS Flat Plate AGM Sealed Automotive Battery: Automotive

IMO it is a better choice than the Optima.

 

double post

 

Elearnaid has two options available. The Group 51R yellow top is not an exact fit, but was available first, so elearnaid put together the installation kit (includes different battery cables) to adapt to the different-size posts of the 51R.

The direct-fit application came along later (Optima DS46B24R) and is also available from Elearnaid here:
Optima DS46B24R Optima battery direct fit replacement for Prius 2004 + , Prius V & Plug-in Prius with Instructions

It does not need an installation kit. This is likely also the battery in the Amazon listing you're seeing.

I'm showing the pricing at Elearnaid to be $166 including shipping to US states for either option.

I was originally going to go with the 51R, due to possibly better battery availability on the road, but went with the DS46B24R direct-fit instead, and am happy with it. The odds of finding a 51R in an auto parts store is still pretty slim, and with the direct fit, the original battery cables are retained.

We have done the DS46B24R replacement on three Prii in the family and they have been working out nicely. Two of them came from Amazon, and one came from Carquest with a special promotion. The DS46B24R is slightly taller than the original battery, so a washer under the hold-down clamp where it meets the floor makes for a good fit.

 

Do you know the amp-hour rating of the Exide? Also, a review on Amazon said it's not an exact fit.

Nexus 4 ?

 

Here are the specs from their website.

http://www.exide.com/Media/files/Downloads/TransAmer/Products/Edge%204%20page%20booklet%20non%20spread.pdf

I have put at least 10 of these in over the last year and they seem about the same size as OEM. The vent tube has to be pulled out and put on the other side. I have never had an issue with any of them.

 

Last year when I was shopping for a battery I didn't like the voltage of the one Pep Boys was selling. Their free battery installation offer does not apply to the Prius. The battery I bought from eLearnaid arrived fully charged.

 

I'd also second looking at the Exide Edge FP-AGM51JIS as strong alternative. The Toyota OEM battery is a good option over the Optima as well.

 

The Exide has a higher AH capacity at 45 AH than the Optima at 38 AH. The Exide also has a much better guarantee.

John (Britprius)

 

As mentioned in the comments for that review, the reviewer seems to have the non-SKS model which comes with a smaller tray (and battery) which can be replaced with the bigger tray (for the SKS model that comes with a bigger battery) for $13 or so.

 

Cool, I've already mentally committed to an Exide if I need a replacement.

Nexus 4 ?

 

I presume you meant to say "vent plug" instead of "vent tube"? Also, I gather from a different post the Exide comes with the elbow (that connects the vent tube to the vent port on the battery) taped to the side of the battery? If so, I would save the elbow that comes with the original battery for future use (may be just tape it to the side of the Exide that is installed?).

 

Correct, the vent plug elbow has been missing from several that I have ordered and the OEM does not fit in the Exide.

 

Was there a particular vendor that you received the elbow from and not from others? For those that didn't come with the elbows, how did you manage the installs? TIA.

 

Correct, the vent plug elbow has been missing from several that I have ordered and the OEM does not fit in the Exide.

I get them from a local auto parts wholesaler. I usually go back and get them later. One I modified the OEM but it didn't work very well. On the last one I looked into the vent hole and it looks as if it isn't actually a vent. It is just a hole that doesn't connect to anything. Is it possible that it doesn't actually have a vent?

 

That would be amazing if true.

 

Do you mean you get the batteries or the elbows from the auto parts wholesaler?

 

I heard it comes with a vent "plug" that you swap based on whichever side you connect the elbow to? If that's the case, I wonder why they would provide a plug for a hole that doesn't vent.... Perhaps there are some minute holes on the battery that vent into the vent hole?