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The Great Hybrid Battery Debate

669 messages,  Last post on Apr 06, 2009 at 2:32 PM

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What is this discussion about? Hybrid Cars


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#657 of 669
Zap battery replacement? by Inventor
Jan 17, 2009 (10:12 am)
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Tell me the less $$ options , thanks.
    
     We found that that some ev cars like Zap Xebra Pk for instance , can go 25 miles (albeit at 45- mph) on just 6 high capacity 114amphour lead acid batteries. The prius 04+ packs have really just 28 modules weighing 1.04 kg each =~64lbs so 6 of them would 384 lbs. We were thinking that 6 packs could be used to replace the zap batteries and could double the mileage? What say you?
   FYI: High Capacity lead acids weigh about the same , and are a little less volume than prius batteries. The power in the 28 modules is slightly less at 104 amphours (7.2v x 6.5 ah x 28 = 1.32 kwhrs vs 12v x 114ah = 1.368kwhrs). Obviously the prius batteries lifetime is much greater being NiMh which is the only advantage / value in them. (The ev1 and rav4 ev nimh large format batteries are a differnent animal with much higher power density than prius prismatic types).
#658 of 669
Correction; not double just replace for same miles by Inventor
Jan 17, 2009 (10:13 am)
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oops. mean to say replace only for same 25 miles range.
#659 of 669
Re: Zap battery replacement? [Inventor] by gagrice
Jan 17, 2009 (10:55 am)
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Replying to: Inventor (Jan 17, 2009 10:12 am)

A couple things to consider. The Prius battery is about $2500. Toyota may not even sell them as they are in short supply. 6 of them would be $15,000, more than a Xebra sells for new. Second you would need a different charging system to avoid over charging the NiMH batteries. You can replace the lead acid batteries for a fraction of what just one Prius battery sells for. If you are converting a car to electric I would look into the NiMH that are offered from overseas mfg companies. You would do much better than buying from Toyota.
#660 of 669
Prius Battery creates dilemma by gagrice
Apr 02, 2009 (5:58 am)
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My pastor friend with the new 2009 Prius has a real problem. He was planning to take his new Prius to Hawaii where he will be ministering for at least two years maybe 4 years. Toyota leasing will not allow him to take it out of CA for more than 30 days. He can store it and take a chance the battery will be ruined in two years. Take it and not be able to register in HI, or just let it go back to Toyota leasing and mess up his credit. This would not be an issue with a non hybrid. It could be put in storage and not have a problem with not running for two years. Toyota leasing is not very receptive either. Something people should consider if you plan to lease. I always considered leasing a rip-off. Now I am sure of it. NO one wants to finance what is owed. He would have to come up with $8k to refinance. Any suggestions. I told him to leave the FOB on the seat in a bad part of town. I got a sermon for that idea.
 
PS
He loves the car and was looking forward to having it on Maui to save on gas.
#661 of 669
Re: Prius Battery creates dilemma [gagrice] by larsb
Apr 02, 2009 (6:09 am)
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Replying to: gagrice (Apr 02, 2009 5:58 am)

Yes, here's a suggestion.
 
Tell him to convince Toyota to let him take it to Hawaii.
 
It does not hurt them one iota. They still get their money, and I bet they lease cars in Hawaii. He could cancel his "California lease" and get a new "Hawaii lease" when he gets there.
 
Kinda silly to blame the hybrid technology. If it was an Avalon, Toyota would not act any different.
#662 of 669
Re: Prius Battery creates dilemma [larsb] by kirstie_h HOST
Apr 02, 2009 (11:27 am)
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Replying to: larsb (Apr 02, 2009 6:09 am)

No, he wasn't saying that Toyota would act differently. He's saying that the friend would be able to store a non-hybrid vehicle for two years, no problem. But by putting a hybrid vehicle in storage for 2 years, you risk having battery issues.
#663 of 669
Re: Prius Battery creates dilemma [kirstie_h] by larsb
Apr 02, 2009 (12:18 pm)
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Replying to: kirstie_h (Apr 02, 2009 11:27 am)

Well, the simple solution is to get Toyota to let him take the car to Hawaii.
 
Number two on the list would be give the keys to a friend, pay them minimal fee to go start it once every two weeks or something.
 
There is nothing prohibitive about a hybrid battery that means it will "die" any faster if it's not used. Toyota states in the manual that if a Prius cannot be started after a long period of non-use, just call the dealer and they will get it going.
 
Extended Storage
 
Disconnect the small 12-volt battery.
 
It is helpful to disconnect the small, auxiliary 12-volt battery on the driver side in the trunk. With it disconnected, there will no longer be a drain from the alarm system. (Make note of the radio buttons you have programmed. You'll need to manually restore them after reconnecting the battery.)
 
Draining the 273.6-volt battery-pack while in long-term storage is never a concern. When you shut off the Prius, an electric relay is deactivated. So it isn’t even connected to the rest of the system until you turn the key again.

 
and another:
 
Long term Storage:
A number of people have raised the question of long term storage and its effects on the 12V and HV (High Voltage) batteries in the car. I have had some direct experience in this area. "Sparky" has been left in an airport parking lot for 14 days with no problems. Nothing was done except to park and lock her. Because of our bicoastal life, we leave the car for extended periods. Under this circumstance I disconnect the 12V battery and leave the car in the garage. She has been left for as long as 100 days with no loss of HV energy as indicated by the battery icon. In all cases of a lengthy storage, there were no problems starting the car after the 12V battery was reconnected.

 
Any car put into "long term storage" is better off getting started at the very least every few months. This is not new with hybrid cars.
#664 of 669
Re: Prius Battery creates dilemma [gagrice] by stevedebi
Apr 02, 2009 (1:01 pm)
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Replying to: gagrice (Apr 02, 2009 5:58 am)

" pastor friend with the new 2009 Prius has a real problem. He was planning to take his new Prius to Hawaii where he will be ministering for at least two years maybe 4 years. Toyota leasing will not allow him to take it out of CA for more than 30 days. He can store it and take a chance the battery will be ruined in two years. Take it and not be able to register in HI, or just let it go back to Toyota leasing and mess up his credit. This would not be an issue with a non hybrid. It could be put in storage and not have a problem with not running for two years. Toyota leasing is not very receptive either. Something people should consider if you plan to lease. I always considered leasing a rip-off. Now I am sure of it. NO one wants to finance what is owed. He would have to come up with $8k to refinance. Any suggestions. I told him to leave the FOB on the seat in a bad part of town. I got a sermon for that idea.
  
PS
He loves the car and was looking forward to having it on Maui to save on gas. "
 
Have your friend check out buying out the lease. He may be able to arrange a decent price. Then he will own the car and can take it anywhere.
 
I would not advise storing any car for 2 years, during which time you are making lease payments!
#665 of 669
Re: Prius Battery creates dilemma [larsb] by gagrice
Apr 04, 2009 (7:08 pm)
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Replying to: larsb (Apr 02, 2009 6:09 am)

Tell him to convince Toyota to let him take it to Hawaii.
 

He spent the day with Toyota finance and they would not budge an inch. No it would not make any difference if it was a Tundra or Prius. EXCEPT. You can leave a Tundra parked for 2 years without fear of the hybrid battery draining and being destroyed. While it would still be covered there would probably be a hassle and waiting for a replacement etc. They will not let you take the car out of CA for more than a month under their lease plan. He talked to the guy on Maui and got the same story. The problem is getting it licensed in Hawaii. We thought about buying it. I just don't want a red POC Prius for a $24k payoff on the lease. That is what I can buy a new one for. He got into the lease because he is a very poor preacher. Not one of the mega church guys that drive a Mercedes. He wanted the economy for all the running to visit the sick in the hospital.
 
My advice is be wary of Toyota finance. They seem to be crooks IMO.
#666 of 669
Re: Prius Battery creates dilemma [stevedebi] by gagrice
Apr 04, 2009 (7:23 pm)
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Replying to: stevedebi (Apr 02, 2009 1:01 pm)

I would not advise storing any car for 2 years, during which time you are making lease payments!
 
I agree. Then I would never lease a vehicle. It is a giant rip-off unless you can write the whole thing off. This preacher hardly makes enough in a year to pay any taxes. He leased as it was $200 per month less and he was planning to finance the payoff after 5 years. Why he likes the rough riding noisy little beast is beyond me. But he likes it. I feel for him and would loan him the $24k except he cannot make that big of a payment if I did not charge him any interest for 5 years. No wonder I despise lending companies almost as much as our Congress and government.

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