Battery storage

So in the case of batteries such as this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories___Toyota-Prius-2001-02-03-hybrid-battery-pack_W0QQitemZ220250384950QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQddiZ2811QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item220250384950

what are the odds the battery is actually still useful? Do these things die if their charge is not maintained? If so, can it be “reconditioned” or anything? Obviously new batteries are better but the cost of used OEM parts is so cheap…

[QUOTE=no7fish;3667]So in the case of batteries such as this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories___Toyota-Prius-2001-02-03-hybrid-battery-pack_W0QQitemZ220250384950QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQddiZ2811QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item220250384950

what are the odds the battery is actually still useful? Do these things die if their charge is not maintained? If so, can it be “reconditioned” or anything? Obviously new batteries are better but the cost of used OEM parts is so cheap…[/QUOTE]

actually looks like a great deal. You may be able to use most of the batteries in there. NiMH doesn’t have memory like Nicad… so you should be fine. its a 2003 car? should be fine.

whats it going in?

Well I’m not sure I’m even building anything yet but I’m working up a component list based mainly on used OEM parts such as Prius or Civic motors and batteries, etc from junkyards. I can get a civic hybrid motor for $800 from the scrapper nearby!

Anyway, if everything does work out I’ll be plannign to build a hybrid out of my '95 Integra. I haven’t quite decided what to use as the IC motor but most likely it’ll be a B-series 1.8, maybe a D-series 1.6.