Most people buying a used Prius or any hybrid car for that matter, do not realise that the HEV battery in the vehicle will need replacing. The battery is designed to last about 7 years. The greatest shock is when they are told that a replacement battery cost between $5000 to $12,000 installed. In most cases this is more than the vehicle is worth.
They will also get another shock when they go to trade in their cars and are docked up to $6000 on their trade, to compensate for a new battery.
The good news is that with our hybrid battery reconditioning expertise coupled with our patented Power Jockey, the same HEV battery can be used for the life of the hybrid vehicle. This will bring hybrid technology to within the reach of the masses.
Problems With Your Prius Battery
With the development of the Power Jockey HV battery augmentation system the scenario of a dead battery turning the value of your car to scrap metal is a thing of the past.
The power jockey will make even very weak faulty Hybrid batteries operational. It will work even better with a healthy Hybrid battery.
The Power Jockey significantly improves fuel economy as well.
Preserving Value of Series1 & 2 Prius
Prices of used series 1 and 2 prius have been declining, selling for as little as $1000 because owners believe that the HEV battery cannot be repaired.
We now have the S2000 scan tool, and can now repair and recondition the HEV battery, clear all trouble codes enabling these vehicles to perform as good as new.
Our efforts and assuarances will enable these vehicles hold their value. They are economical, good for the environment, and also mechanically reliable.
Reconditioning HEV Battery
Rebuilt NIMH Battery Pack:
Up till July 2010 we were reconditioning customers batteries. However we found that this led to inconsistent results depending on the condition of the battery presented for reconditioning.
We are now rebuilding all our battery packs and using these to replace your dead battery. This enables us to have the confidence that all 240 D cells in he rebuilt pack are in working order. This also means that we can replace a battery pack on the same day.
Reconditioning:
There are 40 X 7.2 volt tubes (6 X D nimh cells ) in each series 1 battery. To rebuild battery capacity we first remove dead cells and put the remaining cells on a very slow charge over 3 to 4 days. This rebuilds the cells capacity by cancelling out memory effects built up over time.
We replace rejected cells and recharge the battery to equalise the capacity and voltages. This battery is now as good to go and we expect it to last another 5 years.
As these tubes are not availiable as spare parts, we have started rebuilding our own tubes. Good D cells are taken and repack as a new tube with a spot welder.
Servicing and Maintaining Your Hybrid
Being a specialised vehicle most mechanics ans service centers do not know how to correctly service and maintain these vehicles.
Having reconditioned in excess of 200 HEV batteries we understand these vehicles an are able to offer a complete service and maintenance schedule for these vehicles.
Well maintained these vehicles will keep running for a very long time.
Driving with a low capacity battery
You can still continue to drive the series 1 prius with a low capacity battery. The battery level will go down to yellow and the turtle will appear. The engine will rev faster and there is a loss of power especially on high hill climb.
The battery will recharge to green when you start downhill. You can continue to drive the vehicle in this condition but you must be careful not to over discharge the battery.
When the turtle appears slow down and ease off on the trottle, The battery will charge even going uphill by controlling the acclerator.
Important : If you put your foot down on the accelerator you will force the battery to discharge. If your batteries are low or weak it will discharge until a cell fails. If the battery is weak putting your foot down will not give it any more power! Back off the accelerator to half way and the computer will control the charging and discharging even when going uphill. This will save your battery. Only ever put your foot down on the accelerator in short burst.
Buying a battery pack from a wrecker
This is seems like a good alternative as a new Nimh battery could cost more than the car is worth. However you do not know the condition of the battery. You will get at most 3 months warranty but as the battery is already 8 years old or more, problems are just around the corner. It is a sure bet that the capacity of the battery is not optimum as memory effects would have set in.
