This article is based on Toyota and Lexus NiMH (Nickel technology batteries) as Lithium batteries cannot be reconditioned in the same way and only benefit from a process known as smoothing where essentially the battery is top balanced where cells which a beginning to fall out of balance are brought back into line by low current trickle charging.
TOYOTA /LEXUS NIMH CELL MODULE RECONDITIONING
When the warnings such as the master warning triangle, check hybrid system, ABS (anti - lock brake system) and VSC (vehicle stability control) ECB Electronically controlled brake, engine management light and check hybrid system are triggered on your Toyota or Lexus, hybrid/electric vehicle, it can be by as little as a few bad modules in the entire high voltage battery when all the others are still going strong. The best option is complete battery reconditioning. This gives an opportunity to gather data on the charge and discharge capacity of your battery. When using diagnostic equipment such as Techstream (Toyota's own diagnostic equipment) and other high-end diagnostic equipment such as snap on, autel, launch etc although this equipment can measure data in block pairs (2 modules in pairs) and identify weak blocks they are incapable of give any individual module data or give any indication of exact charge and discharge capacity of your battery modules. At Eutierria LTD trading as Hybrid Repair Service we offer a collection recondition and return service, during which, we dismantle customer hybrid batteries test and recondition all the individual battery modules using a method know as deep cycling, this process breaks down the dendrites (crystalline structures which forms in the inside battery modules) thus, improving battery performance and usable capacity leading to improved fuel economy. (Please note this process is not suitable for end of life batteries). .Using this processing method with parameters we have developed over time enables our company to match any replacements modules/cells exactly to the rest of the battery pack to achieve improved capacity retention and long lasting repairs with greater battery run time. We have processed batteries which are still going strong after 30,000 miles and giving great miles per gallon.
In many hybrid vehicles such as Toyota Prius or Lexus GS450H each NiMH module contain 6 individual cells, these modules are connected by bus bars in series configuration. Each modules nominal voltage is 7.2 volts (6 x 1.2 volt cells) In a Toyota Prius there are a total of 28 modules so in total 168 cells, where as in the Lexus GS450H there are 40 modules so 240 cells.
At Eutierria LTD trading as Hybrid Repair Service each replacement module is load tested and tested for capacity to ensure they are suitable for the job. New modules are available but it is not advisable to fit single brand new modules in older high voltage batteries as they will not work so well in balance with older module/cells.
Another factor can be the oxidation of the copper bus bars, the copper links which connect the modules within the battery in series. This is not problem you are going to run in to on a brand new vehicle, but on older models or well used vehicles most certainly. Over time, corrosion can build up and can cause increased resistance, generating heat and inhibit the copper bus bars within the battery's ability to conduct electricity as it once did, reducing battery efficiency and in turn make for worse fuel economy and in the very worst cases could be at the very least, a contributory factor in battery warnings.
Nickel plated bus bar are available, which works well to combat corrosion and although Nickel is only 7% conductive there is a thin coating of Nickel to 99.9% pure Copper, they have been seen to improve fuel economy is some vehicles when fitted.
Another option is to have a brand new complete replacement wiring harness including new copper bus bars.
So in short, our company provides high quality and reliable servicing options when it comes to servicing or repair your high voltage battery system, to make sure you get the most life from your vehicles HV battery lightening the load on the environment.
At Hybrid Repair Service every single bus bar (connection between module/cells) are changed for anti corrosion nickel plated ones, where possible even with our, top quality, low price repairs. For details of our services, Please contact Mark @ Hybrid Repair Service for more information using the contact details at the bottom of the page.
Using state of the art equipment and processes Hybrid Repair Service will recondition NiMH technology batteries, processing them to regain lost capacity. This process breaks down the dendrites (crystalline structures which forms in the inside battery modules) thus, improving battery performance and fuel economy. Please note this process is not suitable for end of life batteries.
Get the best from your hybrid vehicle's battery by contacting Hybrid Repair Service to arrange the reconditioning of your battery today, using state of the art equipment and with a our collection recondition and return service included in the quoted price.
Tel: 07307893333
Why not check out our customer reviews for our high voltage battery repairs, reconditioning and replacement taken from Google, Yell and Wix review system by clicking the link below
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