Does anyone have any feedback on the Dorman refurbished HV battery for Gen 2 or suggestions on which refurbs to avoid or which ones to look for? My 2007 has no codes but I did the Dr. Prius check and it says about 49 percent capacity in bad conditions but will still run. All IR normal and no codes but temperature abnormal (was between 124 and 127 during a recent drive) and upper voltage and bottom voltage balance issue. It seems to get around 50 mpg at highway speed but overall is around 36 to 40 mpg.
How many miles, and is the current HV battery still a virgin? Have you considered reconditioning the existing HV battery before one or more of the modules fails?
"Refurbished" batteries are used modules that have had "who knows what" done to them. Might last a few months or a few years- nobody knows. Look at the warranty and understand it- because you'll likely need it. Decades of experience have shown to me that Dorman is synonymous with "sketchy quality". It's to be used when there is no other option. If you want reliability, then plan on a new battery pack. Otherwise let it ride til it codes. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
My concern is that my daughter will take the car to Maine for the school year in a week or so. I guess if codes during that time, I could just get a refurb put in by someone up there. If it was here at home, I don't mind just picking one up and putting it in myself.
I'm definitely fine installing it myself. I also wouldn't mind reconditioning it myself but have no real experience on that end of things. If the car is up in Maine during the next school year when it kicks the bucket, I'd probably have a reconditioned one installed somewhere with a warranty.
finding a good refurbished battery in maine on a timely basis might be daunting. i agree, you should put one in now. unfortunately, with any refurb, it's hit or miss, and new batteries don't seem to be available due to back orders. how many miles on the 07?
@PriusCamper can point you towards the DIY grid charging threads. How many gen2s or gen3s do you have now?
Have your daughter drive through Madison Wi on the way to Maine. Eric Becky a PriusChat member can install a refurbished battery in a couple hours. Maybe an hour out of the way if Eric meets her halfway between Chicago and Madison. Eric has done that before, maybe check with him. just a thought, Google maps shows the route to Maine passes just outside Chicago. Very well recommended by fellow PC members, you will get a quality rebuilt hv battery pack. EV Powers | Hybrid Battery Service & Repair. Prius Insight Civic. 56 Corry St, Madison, WI Search for @ericbecky postings https://priuschat.com/search/319182465/
224K on the chassis but unknown on the ICE or the HV battery. Those are both from crashed gen 2 cars in the junkyard. I do notice that Green Bean has replacement service in Maine where she would be in school. I probably wouldn't go with a new HV battery as that would be close to the value of the car...for sure if it was professionally installed.
I just have the one Gen 2. I have done some work on a Gen 3 for a friend also. Poor car...he drives it like a NASCAR driver but at 185K, it still goes down the road. Has been in the ditch at least once. Blown head gasket, bent piston rod, etc.
I would install myself because I think I'm more likely to do it correctly (although I'm not formally trained) unless it was a warranty question because many of the refurbs don't seem to extend the warranty when installed by owner.
if green bean is there, might as well wait and see how it goes. they respond quikly and mobil service iirc
