2024 TRD Pro Battery Type

[TacoFreak]

Dang, just traded my diesel truck that was unreliable due to battery/charging issues and figured a Tacoma would be a good choice

Yeah, this is a problem for some trucks. My truck keeps its 12 volt at a low state of charge, but it always starts, even after sitting for a while in cold weather. That is not true for everyone though, so keep your fingers crossed.

I hope Toyota eventually comes up with a solution, but mine is to carry a jump pack for insurance. Then I will switch to an Optima Yellow top when my 12 volt needs to be replaced.

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[Independence Overland]

I have a Redarc charger installed for my lithium aux battery in the camper. This is not my parasitic draw, but the device does have a "backcharge" feature so I can run 20+ amps back to my starter battery for 15 minutes to jump start it. What I have noticed is all I have to do is turn that function on to give the truck a 12v signal, and then it starts right up. So the truck usually just needs to see a higher voltage to let the hybrid system start the truck.

The Redarc system charges the starter battery with my solar panels once the auxillary battery reaches 100%. Due to clouds and keeping it parked in a canyon it doesnt get much sun this time of the year. I need to get better at just starting it a few times a week.

 

[TacoFreak]

What I have noticed is all I have to do is turn that function on to give the truck a 12v signal, and then it starts right up. So the truck usually just needs to see a higher voltage to let the hybrid system start the truck.

That is a good solution and does the same thing my jump pack does. All you need is enough power to start the truck's electronics because the hybrid battery has enough power to easily start the ICE.

 

[trailhunger]

That is a good solution and does the same thing my jump pack does. All you need is enough power to start the truck's electronics because the hybrid battery has enough power to easily start the ICE.

Another wrinkle I noticed on my TH assuming this applies to all iForceMax is that running generator “ready” mode, the hybrid system will shut down the inverter around a 1/4 tank of fuel, and from there you’re drawing power off the accessory mode via the 12v battery. Was out at camp not far from Moab, night 3 engine didn’t cycle on when pulling inverter power & charging my power station… did some digging…top of your tank before heading out to camp

 

[shackley]

According to Optima's website a DH7(deep cycle H7) is a perfect match for a Tacoma hybrid.

As a side note, in the past three weeks my factory battery has been sitting at 11.4 to 11.8 every time I have tested it. It doesn't matter how long I wait to test it (1 hour, 1 day, 3 days). So, bad battery folks (I hope!). I have scheduled a battery test with my 10,000 mile service at the dealership coming right up.

What is the Optima type (i.e. 24, 94 etc)?

 

[shackley]

Very true about having enough power to operate the electronics. When my wife's Lexus BEV was just two months old it failed to even turn on after sitting only two days. I charged the battery and we took it to the dealer. They said the battery was fine, and that this was a known problem with no solution. They advised her not to use the app and it has not gone completely dead again. It usually sits at around 12.2 volts. I think that this is a problem in Toyota hybrids and electrics in general.

Not really. There are only two Toyota dealers within 100 miles of me, and mine is the one with the reputation for excellent service!

I love the hybrid but I am also partial to a truck that starts and runs. I don't know if I would chose the hybrid again, knowing about this problem.

And keep in mind the Toyota battery (we have a RAV4 Prime with the same issue) is $1500!

 

[shackley]

Dang, just traded my diesel truck that was unreliable due to battery/charging issues and figured a Tacoma would be a good choice

Me too. My 2024 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon would destroy batteries too. I guess I'll go to the Optima DH7 and hope it's deep cycle enough to survive longer, and run a maintainer as often as possible.

Toyota will take it in the shorts someday, when it cause injury, or pisses off a lawyer. They figure it's just part of doing business.

 

[shackley]

Another wrinkle I noticed on my TH assuming this applies to all iForceMax is that running generator “ready” mode, the hybrid system will shut down the inverter around a 1/4 tank of fuel, and from there you’re drawing power off the accessory mode via the 12v battery. Was out at camp not far from Moab, night 3 engine didn’t cycle on when pulling inverter power & charging my power station… did some digging…top of your tank before heading out to camp

Also, as on our RAV4 Prime, the 12V runs the cooler/heating fan to keep the hybrid batteries at an optimal temperature so they don't blow up like Musk's EVs. There's no way around that. On the RAV, I just charge/maintain it periodically. We've lost two batteries on it, including in the first two months when new.

 

[gpburdell]

And keep in mind the Toyota battery (we have a RAV4 Prime with the same issue) is $1500!

Source? It’s an LN3 battery, no? About $195 for the Toyota TrueStart version

 

[jackvz]

The manual says that charging the 12v battery must be done with windows open and in open air. Based on that I assume the battery is a lead acid battery. But that also means that attaching a trickle charger under the hood in your garage is not the right thing to do?

I wish I could hardwire an onboard NOCO charger with a plug in somewhere on the outside of the truck.

 

[gpburdell]

The manual says that charging the 12v battery must be done with windows open and in open air. Based on that I assume the battery is a lead acid battery. But that also means that attaching a trickle charger under the hood in your garage is not the right thing to do?

I wish I could hardwire an onboard NOCO charger with a plug in somewhere on the outside of the truck.

It’s a sealed lead acid battery.

Manual was reviewed/edited by the liability lawyers.

Unless you have a *really* crappy trickle charger you’re not boiling off any hydrogen. Stick with a known brand like Deltran or Noco and don’t use some crap Temu charger.

 

[jackvz]

It’s a sealed lead acid battery.

Manual was reviewed/edited by the liability lawyers.

Unless you have a *really* crappy trickle charger you’re not boiling off any hydrogen. Stick with a known brand like Deltran or Noco and don’t use some crap Temu charger.

Do you think it would be possible to charge under the hood? Not sure it is a good idea to set up a permanent connection to the + charging terminal under the hood

 

[TacoFreak]

I guess I'll go to the Optima DH7 and hope it's deep cycle enough to survive longer, and run a maintainer as often as possible.

I've had my truck for 17 months now and although the battery is never fully charged, it still hasn't died. When it does I will get an Optima Yellowtop and I know from past experience that those can easily handle the deep cycles a hybrid puts it's 12 volt through. They last a really long time and they have fixed other vehicles that I have had battery issues with.

 

[jackvz]

I've had my truck for 17 months now and although the battery is never fully charged, it still hasn't died. When it does I will get an Optima Yellowtop and I know from past experience that those can easily handle the deep cycles a hybrid puts it's 12 volt through. They last a really long time and they have fixed other vehicles that I have had battery issues with.

Isn’t that an AGM battery and therefor requires a higher charging voltsge

 

[TacoFreak]

Isn’t that an AGM battery and therefor requires a higher charging voltsge

I have swapped AGM batteries into multiple vehicles that came with regular lead acid batteries and I have never had a charging problem. In fact the Optima batteries fixed the problems I have had with more than one car/truck.

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