Followup to Prius battery woes

[PeterB]

https://forums.macresource.com/read.php?...sg-2592926

... seems like the battery is maybe having trouble holding a charge? I can jump it, but after jumping it and driving around a short time, then letting it sit for about a week, it needs a jump again. What's weird is that once it's jumped, it's showing a charge of 14.2 - 14.7V ... which would seem to be good. (I've measured this using both my Zus and also the Prius' internal diagnostics screen.)

So... question is whether I'd be better off buying a new battery and installing myself, or perhaps getting one of those solar trickle chargers mentioned in the thread.

[ztirffritz]

I assume you're talking about the lead acid 12v battery?

You need to run your car for a while for it to recharge. There's probably a bit of phantom drain from various electronics in the vehicle. Some vehicles keep the 12v accessory ports powered even if the vehicle is off, so you might want to check if you have anything plugged in there. I'd probably just get a good battery charger to maintain it if you have a way to plug it in.

I recommend something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-865-Autom...O7W2NRLRAH&dchild=1&keywords=ctek+us+0.8&qid=1612982114&sprefix=ctek+us+%2Caps%2C261&sr=8-5

[Schpark]

Also the 14.2-14.7V is the alternator not the battery.

[space-time]

Just move your hamsters in the car.

[ztirffritz]

space-time wrote:
Just move your hamsters in the car.

miley-laughing001::goodone::agree:

[btfc]

Jumping and driving for a short time is usually not adequate to fully recharge a dead battery. Put it on a charger. The way the charger acts will tell you a lot about what shape the battery is in. Also, clean/tighten battery clamps and ground points.

[Microman]

I replaced my Daughters trunk battery , 2014 Prius. Its the same size as a normal battery, but costs more. I think I went dealer, and 10% off or something...

[macphanatic]

Using a voltmeter is not the best way to test a battery. There are testers meant for just this purpose. They create a load on the battery. Autozone or similar should have them.





As suggested, check the cables to make sure that they're clean and tight.

[Paul F.]

Stop overcomplicating it... replace the battery.
You have a dead battery... It's an EX-battery. It has shuffled off this mortal coil. It's pining for the fjords. It has EXPIRED.

If a good cable-check, cleaning, and tightening, doesn't do it... buy a new battery, install said battery.

[ztirffritz]

Paul F. wrote:
Stop overcomplicating it... replace the battery.
You have a dead battery... It's an EX-battery. It has shuffled off this mortal coil. It's pining for the fjords. It has EXPIRED.

If a good cable-check, cleaning, and tightening, doesn't do it... buy a new battery, install said battery.

That may or may not solve the underlying problem. If he's only driving a short distance/time then a new battery will likely result in the same problem eventually.