Life Span of Battery - the cheaper one

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by sheilac, Apr 11, 2007.

  1. sheilac

    sheilac New Member

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    I don't drive my Prius every day and sometimes, if it sits a few weeks, or if it is very cold out, or both, I have to jump the car. I bought a portable battery charger because this happens fairly often.

    After owning the car less than one year, the svc dept at the dealer replaced the battery (in Feb '05). They didn't charge me.

    Now, Apr '07, the battery has a dead cell again and it cost over $200 to replace it.

    Is it normal that this battery needs to be replaced every couple of years? Is it normal that the car won't start if you don't drive it all the time?

    Thanks.
     
    #1 sheilac, Apr 11, 2007
  2. ServoScanMan

    ServoScanMan Member

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    I can't answer your other questions but if you leave it parked for an extended amout of time, perhaps you can buy a trickle charger for it.
     
    #2 ServoScanMan, Apr 11, 2007
  3. Tyrin

    Tyrin New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sheilac @ Apr 11 2007, 08:03 PM) [snapback]421777[/snapback]</div>
    Hi Sheila,

    I can't find it right now, but do a search for threads on batteries dying, dead battery, etc. I remember reading somewhere on here that there is enough juice being pulled to the computer even when the car is off that it will drain the 12v battery after a few weeks. If you do this all the time, you should disconnect the battery when you know that you're not going to use the car for a while.
     
    #3 Tyrin, Apr 11, 2007
  4. sheilac

    sheilac New Member

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    Thank you both.

    I will research what a trickle charger is and also learn how to disconnect the battery and where it is. This may save the battery life. I'll look for the posts you mention too.
     
    #4 sheilac, Apr 11, 2007
  5. etyler88

    etyler88 etyler88

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    There is also a button under the steering wheel area to shut off the smart key if it will sit awhile. If you are not doing that it could explain the drain and need to charge or jump start. I don't know about the big battery, ie if the long sit time is causing a problem there.
     
    #5 etyler88, Apr 12, 2007
  6. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sheilac @ Apr 11 2007, 11:05 PM) [snapback]421857[/snapback]</div>
    Make certain that you buy a Battery Tender not a trickle charger. You don't want to ruin your battery by overcharging it. For example:

    http://www.amazon.com/BatteryTender-021-01...4527&sr=8-3

    JeffD
     
    #6 jdenenberg, Apr 12, 2007
  7. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    Also don't get a batter tender that plugs into the power outlet as they are shut off when the power is off; unless you've modified it so it's hot all the time.
     
    #7 aaf709, Apr 12, 2007
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