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PeterB wrote:
[quote=mattkime]
[quote=PeterB]... just a little nervous about doing the battery swapout myself
Which step makes you nervous?
The mechanical aspects of getting into the compartment, getting all the stuff loosened up, etc.
This is the YouTube I've been looking at, which does make it clear that you need some specific tools for the task: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpxyXboW4Qo
(also commented on in the original thread)
Oh, and also nervous from the perspective of that some of the Amazon reviews suggest that the batteries can die early for no apparent reason, and that Amazon and the manufacturers will try to pawn off the responsibility onto each other; or if the problem isn't really with the battery but something else, and then replacing the battery doesn't fix it. I'm tempted to call the dealership just to see how much they'd charge for this, but on the other hand I do like to do stuff myself.
Given the age of your battery it's not gonna hurt to just replace it, no matter if that is the problem or not. It's time.
Call Advance Auto or whatever your local parts shop is to get a price. Then call the dealer to get the installed price. Judge if it's worth your time to install yourself.
Wrenching out batteries is not a big deal, they are made to be replaced without headaches.
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Gareth wrote:
If the battery itself is bad, a charger/maintainer isn't going to do anything, because even if fully "charged", the battery may not have enough cranking amps left to actually start the car. I.e. it might be at 12V but only at 10% of its original capacity.
In a Prius, the 12V battery is more like a PRAM battery, it doesn't do any "cranking", it just keeps the electronics alive to startup the systems to get the traction battery system engaged. The main thing that normally drains the 12V battery when the car is "off", is the keyless access system. I think it also keeps another rechargeable battery charged that is used for the brake system.
From my experience with a 2007 Prius, the need for jump starting became more frequent when the battery was about 6 years old, and stopped occurring when I replaced the battery.
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do you have a batteries plus near you? They might install. No reason to go to a dealership for something like this.
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space-time wrote:
Just move your hamsters in the car.
I'd like to issue a public apology, some people here found my commend very rude.
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PeterB wrote:
OK guys, returning back to this thread...
The voltage I'm reading should be the battery, as I understand it -- I use my Zus and also the procedure described in this YouTube, which gave identical results: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aXrofQmqeQ
(under the Vehicle Signal menu, I didn't use a voltmeter...)
A battery from Amazon is about $170, the solar chargers mentioned in the original post about $70. (I would want to use solar instead of AC since I don't have a garage.)
It is admittedly a 7-year old battery now, and I don't do a lot of driving ... so probably it just sitting around for long periods of time without being driven has maybe done the battery in somewhat? (I'd never had this problem pre-corona.) But as pointed out by some of you above, it shouldn't actually be necessary to drive around to power the battery?
Are you using a battery tester or a volt meter. If the later, this doesn't give a true indication of whether or not the battery is good. A battery tester puts a load on the battery while measuring the voltage. Big difference in the readings.
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Are the battery terminals and cable clamps free of oxide? It looks like $170 is a very good price for an AGM battery for a 2014 Prius III.
I am not sure about a Prius, but it typically takes 20 minutes to fully charge a 12 V battery with the gas engine running continuously at over 1500 rpm. Just idling at 800 rpm won't do it.
Did you use a Prius forum to get a recommendation on the solar charger?
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Filliam H. Muffman wrote:
Are the battery terminals and cable clamps free of oxide? It looks like $170 is a very good price for an AGM battery for a 2014 Prius III.
I am not sure about a Prius, but it typically takes 20 minutes to fully charge a 12 V battery with the gas engine running continuously at over 1500 rpm. Just idling at 800 rpm won't do it.
Did you use a Prius forum to get a recommendation on the solar charger?
Thanks everybody for information. The solar charger recommendation was from the original thread -- don't recall who made the suggestion, but I thought it seemed like a reasonable idea.
The voltage check -- as I said, done through Zus, but the Prius diagnostic screen is through the car itself, and I would assume the diagnostic is really measuring the voltage as load is put on it ... at least, one would hope so for a self-contained diagnostic!
I am tempted to try what Filliam has suggested, before I replace the battery. I was curious, so I Googled and found this: https://www.wildetoyota.com/how-to-jump-...pstarting/ ... which says to let it run for 8 hours (!!!) in Ready mode after jumpstarting ... I suppose I can do that, I have nothing to lose ... could just leave the car running overnight or something. Gas isn't really a problem for me at the moment. (Under non-corona conditions, I typically buy about $20-30 worth of gas, usually about 20 gallons, which lasts me 4-6 months.)
And yes, it may be time for a new battery. I know the manufacturing quality isn't what it used to be -- car batteries lasting 10+ years being a distant memory.
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space-time wrote:
[quote=space-time]
Just move your hamsters in the car.
I'd like to issue a public apology, some people here found my commend very rude.
Greatly appreciated, thanks.
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PeterB wrote:
I am tempted to try what Filliam has suggested, before I replace the battery. I was curious, so I Googled and found this: https://www.wildetoyota.com/how-to-jump-...pstarting/ ... which says to let it run for 8 hours (!!!) in Ready mode after jumpstarting ... I suppose I can do that, I have nothing to lose ... could just leave the car running overnight or something.
Wilde Toyota does mention that their procedure is intended to take into account Milwaukee Winter temperatures. Has it been snowing recently in NO? 
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AAA if you are a member will do it for $218 installed at your house.
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