There are quite a few videos available now on hybrid battery reconditioning. Often times, people are forced to replace a few or more modules, which begs the question(s): 1. Are we entirely dependent upon the pool of modules from totaled vehicles or retired batteries from vehicles that went the K or Li route? 2. If so, why hasn't anyone tried to manufacture these modules from scratch? How hard can it be to make NiMH cells? 3. What is Toyota doing with the core returns on their battery packs? Conventional wisdom and some commentary on forums I have read suggests that they are ensuring recycling of hazardous materials. What is the likelihood that their new packs are simply recycled/refurbished core returns? And perhaps only the new vehicles are getting batteries with completely new modules? In other words, are you getting your money's worth when spending at least $2500 in parts and anywhere from $500-1500 in labor, especially since the warranty on even dealer installed packs maxes out at 3 years.
Not being helpful. The intent of my post is not snark, but genuine curiosity. May be you can share some of your wisdom answering the questions I posed instead of snarking.
Yes I am being helpful. You want someone else to do it. It was your idea, then YOU should do it. It was not "snarky", it was a genuine response. I shared my wisdom. You just didn't like the answer. You only want answers that please you, when they make you work, you can't handle it. Man up and except both sides of an answer to your question. Why don't you research yourself and see what is involved in starting from scratch and building a battery. Use your money and time, don't expect anyone else to do it if you are not willing to put forth the work yourself. If you can't handle any answer you don't like, don't ask the question.
I would read "how hard can it be to make NiMH cells?" as something sort of like "how hard for a business with appropriate metallurgical and plastic-molding and manufacturing tooling?" and not as, say, "could I make them in my garage?"....
That's exactly what I was aiming for. I mean look at the range of aftermarket parts we have available for any vehicle for any year that are "exact" replicas of the OEM. So why not battery modules? I understand this is the internet and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but there is absolutely no need for toxicity on this forum. I have put him on "ignore" so hopefully I don't have to deal with him again. I am here for one reason and one reason only. To learn and to share.
I think it's more to do with ownership. No one is going to manufacture the Toyota modules due to fear of getting sued. Maybe shops in China don't care, who knows. But there are new designs you can buy that are the same chemistry, just look at the cylindrical packs as an example.
There are copy right laws. But there are different manufacturers you can seek out. But new tech's are going to the sodium-ion battery technology. It costs less to produce, it's less dangerous, you don't expose children to the dangers of mining lithium, it's doesn't shut down when it gets below freezing, and can be charged in cold weather, and doesn't explode when exposed to water, it's lighter too. Manufacturers are starting to move toward Sodium-ion technology.
You can buy brand new individual modules, but mixing new batteries with 15+ year old ones isn't ideal. Neither is putting in an old battery that's less worn out than the rest; but people do that and can't figure out why the traction pack keeps failing. It's pretty obvious to me. You can lead a horse to water - but you just can't make them drink if they refuse to...... IMHO: That's a common sense, critical thinking issue....
Good point. How does one tell if a module purchased from ebay is too old to be put into a pack that's being reconditioned?
Expensive battery test and exercise equipment. There's a date/manufacturing code stamped into the battery plastic. Usually month and year produced and run code - for QC and recall purposes.
Yea; while Chrisfix videos earn him money - those packs don't last like the OEM ones. I've heard some failing in as short as two years. While initial mpg improve when installed; they drop back off in about 6 months - but they don't throw a battery code, so NO warranty.
Well - keep in mind there are several varieties of those cylindrical cells floating around. The cheap ones definitely don't last as long, I don't know what the quality is of the pack that chrisfix used. In a couple of the reviews I saw of these they were not the same pack as that one (or for the 3rd gen Prius for that matter).
He more than likely got it for a steep discount or free for placing it on his channel. That's how marketing and advertising works. That's the same reason retired ball players and actors end up selling stuff on commercials. YMMV
Oh I'm sure he got it for free. He even said he paid some absurd low price for the Prius itself which looks pristine. Even with a dead traction battery car would be worth far more so I didn't buy that at all. Anyway, going off the topic there...
