So we replaced the transaxle, it was a bit of a nightmare. a) used transaxle shifting cover was missing some bolts, which we did not discover until after installation (by puddle of oil). So it had to be dropped and re-installed. b) replaced inverter coolant pump - brand new from Toyota, was defective. Had to purchase a second one. And Friday will hopefully get a refund. *** So task was done, all seemed well and then the dreaded "error alert" appeared. However, the vehicle appeared to drive fine. My thought is that after sitting nearly a year undriven, that the AUXILLIARY BATTERY has failed; and requires a replacement. I am curious, the AUX battery is a 12 volt unit. So why can't we use a standard 12 volt car battery? It seems crazy to pay $160 for a much smaller deficient battery. (And I am open to suggestions for cheap places to purchase AUX batteries.)
Yea... It's a hot debate on PriusChat... Many of us more logical folk point out how absurd the Prius battery recommendation is, especially because Prius doesn't have a starter that runs off the 12volt battery, which means a really bad battery could keep functioning on a Prius when a non-hybrid car would of replaced the same battery years earlier. The only real limitation is finding a battery that fits and mounts securely... And vented, AGM style 12 volt batteries help address some of the more ridiculous fears of the more paranoid non-logical PriusChat leaders. Both BrittPrius and I are advocating getting wheelchair, or mobility batteries... See our most recent battery battle here: Another 12v Battery Option: O'Reilly's Super Start Extreme AGM | PriusChat
Assume you will go to WalMart to buy a new ground cable and a parts store for a B+ clamp that can replace the original ... if it is still the small diameter one. It may have already been converted. As for the battery, you have lots of choices and others have already made excellent suggestions. Bob Wilson
Perhaps PriusCamper is a bit harsh on folks who assert that external venting is essential in this application But in any case, both options exist. If you have a 'vented' and you don't run the tube out through the designed hole and you don't assure that tube remains unblocked, you really don't have a vented battery. Just sayin' I would also vote for U1 'wheelchair' batteries. Economy of scale. Several sizes of standard car batteries can probably be made to fit the hole. Disadvantage = weight , advantage = takes a lot longer to get yourself into a dead battery situation. If I had gone to the big battery, I could have made campground coffee (110 vac inverter) w/o starting the engine. I believe this would more than have made up for the small mpg penalty of always hauling around a block block of lead.
The Miata group 35 battery fits but I had to build a little wooden frame on my 2001 to keep it from sliding around-because it was smaller -more AH than std though and vented to outside . Paid about 110 w/ 3yrs free 8 years pro-rata; AGM I think. There was lots of room, if I had thought this out a little more I would have looked for something that fit better without too much extra weight. Fitting better (bigger) would have likely meant a little more AH but the 35 seems resilient so far. A little hard to measure with the battery tray in use...
The Costco I work at has the 51r batteries. the same size as the optimas but the costco ones are 600 crank amps 525 cold crank amps. 3yr warranty 100 month prorated. lead acid though, but for $ 69.99. cant beat that.
