New battery problems

I have a bad battery. I went to the iQ two days ago after leaving it on the driveway ready to drive (neg cable attached and no battery charger/maintainer connected). Trunk would open doors would unlock but engine would not turn over. I got out a 15A battery charger and charged it. Then I got my NOCO jump starter and jump started it. I drove around with the jump starter. First time I tried starting again the engine turned over slower like a weak battery, so next three times I used the jump starter. I started smelling rotten egg smell while driving around. I need a new battery...

Suffices to say there are two sizes that fit per Toyota, BCI 51 for us in the USA/warmer regions, and BCI 25 for those in Canada/cold climate package.

For BCI 51 an alternative is 46B24R with JIS to SAE terminals. For BCI 25 Toyota lists two close Japanese sizes 50D20R or 55D23R (possible cap clearance issues). Attached is a reference file I Googled Toyota battery application chart to find it.

There are regular flooded lead acid, I think the cheapest is Group 51 Interstate from Costco (if you can find it) for $84.99. Group 25 is $89.99. They come with a 3 yr free replacement warranty.

For Group 51 AGM I found a Champion battery listed at Pep Boys website for $209.99 four year replacement warranty:


I like the 4 years just a little nervous whether Pep Boys will still be in business as they've appeared to have sold off their retail stores to Advance Auto and only kept their service department as "Pep Boys".

On eBay I can find 46B24R lithium batteries and 65D23R lithium batteries. There's one 46B24R with 5 yr warranty. (I hope it comes with JIS to SAE terminal converters I kept one set from my first purchase of one which happily is still a good battery after nearing 4 years this October if I'm not mistaken).

To be continued...

View attachment 03_Batteries2020_hi.pdf

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Here's the 5 yr battery. (I have not confirmed it comes with the JIS terminals and adapters of just straight SAE terminals it claims to be a drop in fit for BCI Group 51):


There are others which have "dual" or "emergency" backup/cell. If you find it dead push a button on the battery and it activates the "backup battery" and you can start your car. Here's one:


For those with Group 25 batteries (or those considering converting like me) here's one 65D23R battery with backup:


I attempted to find the best deal of each but may not be, please be forewarned. 5 yr warranty is unusually long 2 years is the norm. The backup battery versions I linked come with a 2 yr warranty.

If you do go eBay take pictures of the packaging (especially the "bar code") for any warranty related concerns later!

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Yes, I'm not going run around trying to find a battery at the various Costcos around us. (Although if you ask nicely Azusa's customer service will check stock for you. I think the others around here do as well. My friend noted up north that they don't)...

It turns out Google (shopping) search is good at locating batteries. I've used it in the past for finding an AGM H8 at Walmart, and I was able to find a BCI Group 51 and 25 Champion at a specific Pep Boys this time. Google lists the mileage from your location to the shop with the battery. It's up to you to figure out exactly which store has it. I used Google Maps, then selected the store(s) that were closest distance wise. Then you could order it on the Pep Boys website.

I have a confession: I know tensions are running high between the US and China right now, but I ended up ordering a 65D23R LiFePO4 battery (with emergency cell) from eBay. I figure I'll never have to replace it. The 46B24R that I bought for my parents' Prius v is still going strong just over 4 years now, and I've never needed to use the emergency starting function. FedEx says it should arrive today, but looking at the tracking, it should arrive by tomorrow at the latest. I have been driving with my NOCO jump starter whenever I need to go out with the iQ...

I ordered the BCI 25 tray and hold down from parts.toyota.com (from Puente Hills Toyota), and went to pick them up locally. They discount their parts if you or anyone needs something and are reasonably near.

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nis350 said:

First time I hear about this type of car battery. I am curious if it is 100% compatible with the charging system in the car?

Click to expand...

They include a BMS which to my understanding monitors conditions and protects/maintains the cells. (To my more recently updated understanding there is also a "BMS" added depending on engine displacement. Above 2.0 L and below 6.2 L they ask you to "buy an extra BMS". I suspect this is some sort of capacitor, ($16 or $20 depending on which listing you buy from). The "BMS" does it's job by balancing the charge among the cells, and also protects against charging above 15 V and disconnecting from the circuit below a certain voltage. (Per your point they do not want you to use a lead acid battery charger to charge them, but a specific LiFePO4 charger that runs at 14.6 V. BUT at the same time they claim the battery works in a vehicle, which technically has a lead acid battery specific alternator!

My family has been using one in a 2012 Prius v (wagon variant) for 4 years now. In that vehicle the 12V does not provide the cranking power to start the motor, so the smallish 46B24R battery kind of has an easy life so to speak.

This will be my first use in a pure ICE vehicle, meaning it has starting an Internal Combustion Engine duty. I will definitely update this thread as the years go on. For now if you're curious I have a 4 year old thread on it's use in the Prius on PriusChat:


On a positive note for my back, I expect it to be very light. (I have an old BCI Group 35 battery just outside the front door. I will weigh the two and provide comparison. I thought for sure it would arrive yesterday but it says "out for delivery" this morning....

Got it in but couldn't find my battery terminal cleaner so I did not connect it yet:

BCI Group 35 (quite dirty I'm afraid though I tried to brush off some of it before weighing): 36 lb 3.9 oz

65D23R (30 Ah + 8 Ah backup): 12 lb 11.8 oz


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