leibold MVM join:2002-07-09 Sunnyvale, CA Netgear CG3000DCR ZyXEL P-663HN-51
|
[Help] Battery clamp for JIS pencil postEither I'm not looking for the right search terms or those are really hard to find.
I have a Prius which has this really underpowered 12V battery (most of the electric energy is stored in the high voltage battery pack). I'm planning to install some ham radio equipment but in order to protect the OEM 12V battery I'm going to install a second battery just for the added electronic equipment. To keep things simple and in order to be able to switch batteries if needed I'm going to buy a Optima DS46B24R which is specifically made for the Toyota Prius.
The only hurdle I'm running into with this plan is that the Prius battery (both the OEM battery and the Optima DS46B24R) have the narrow JIS standard battery posts (often referred to as pencil posts).
I was not able to find anybody selling battery clamps for JIS battery posts (not counting asian manufacturers that would be happy to sell those in bulk). So called "universal" battery clamps only work for SAE and DIN battery posts which are pretty similar to begin with. The only JIS - SAE adapters I found work the other way around: they allow the installation of a battery with SAE battery posts in a car with JIS battery clamps.
I did find someone selling shims (strips of lead) to install between the battery post and the clamp but I'm not sure how reliable such a connection would be. I would prefer to use battery clamps specifically made for JIS battery posts so that I don't have to worry about the connection getting loose.
Does anybody know a place that would sell JIS battery clamps (just one pair, not an entire shipping container) ? |
|
|
Does Toyota sell replacements for your Prius?
It wouldn't be the cheapest, but it shouldn't break the bank either. |
|
|
Cho Baka |
to leibold
Oh, I also forgot. There is a TSB that defines a kit to upgrade the battery to a larger one with normal sized terminals. » home.comcast.net/~dldorr ··· 4-03.pdf |
|
leibold MVM join:2002-07-09 Sunnyvale, CA Netgear CG3000DCR ZyXEL P-663HN-51
|
That TSB is for the 1st generation Prius (2003 and earlier). I probably should have been more specific and mentioned that I have the 2nd generation (2004-2009) Prius but I didn't think it mattered since I don't want to replace the car battery (it is still pretty new since it was replaced last year). I only mentioned the car to explain why I chose that particular DS46B24R battery (all other Optima batteries have SAE posts and/or side screw terminals).
I'm not sure that the battery clamps are available from Toyota as parts by themselves. I would probably have to order the battery wire harness. If I have to take that route I probably will look for a salvage yard to see if I can get used parts for less $$.
Lowest cost option so far would be the shims and a pair of universal clamps (under $20 total). |
|
|
All you have to do is call to find out pricing. According to this random Gen3 catalog I downloaded, the positive is available separately, the catalog does not show the negative. (page 54/138) |
|
neonhomerDearborn 5-2750 Premium Member join:2004-01-27 Edgewater, FL
1 recommendation |
to leibold
Have you read the latest issue of QST? There was an article in there about someone installing a ham radio in a Nissan Leaf (or some other all electric vehicle). I believe it also has a small 12v battery, and then the main pack. He just powered the equipment off the 12v battery directly, and then you just let the main pack recharge as needed. |
|
leibold MVM join:2002-07-09 Sunnyvale, CA Netgear CG3000DCR ZyXEL P-663HN-51
|
said by neonhomer:Have you read the latest issue of QST? So what you are saying is "what are you waiting for, go ahead and sign up for that ARRL membership" Your post might just be the kind of motivation I needed. |
|
neonhomerDearborn 5-2750 Premium Member join:2004-01-27 Edgewater, FL |
It's not a big writeup... Just one page on the considerations of putting radio gear in a electric/hybrid. |
|
|
OldCableGuy3 to neonhomer
Anon
2014-Apr-24 11:53 am
to neonhomer
Seems to me the common sense approach is to just run the HAM equipment off the cars 12V bus including the weak battery. The high to low voltage converter in the Prius is capable of supplying around 1000W of 12V power.
I've never had a single issue running a 600W 12V to 120V AC inverter connected directly to the golf cart battery in my Gen 3.
If you're really concerned leave the car on. The ICE will cycle on and off as needed to recharge the high capacity battery as it is drawn down. This is how we've powered appliances in my home during many power outages using the previously mentioned 600W inverter. |
|