About Our Process

What is a Hybrid Battery

Most hybrid batteries are high voltage batteries made up of multiple low voltage nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) cells. Depending on the year, make and model the amount of cells can range from 28 to 50 cells. Some manufacturers are starting to use lithium-ion, but the vast majority of hybrids are NiMH.

Why Your Light Comes On

Different makes of hybrids use various ways to monitor the cells inside the high voltage batteries. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the main computer for the car, monitors the voltage of each individual cell of the battery. Some companies pair the cells together and read the voltage, while others read them individually. In either case the manufacturer compares the cells to one another to determine if you have a bad cell.

What’s different about our process

There are a lot of companies out there selling rebuilt batteries. Unfortunately most of these companies are just replacing one or two cells after checking the voltage, or replacing all of them using cells that were purchased online and tested by someone else. In either case these companies aren’t testing the battery cells to an extent that they know their capacity (Ah) or how much energy they are producing (Wh). At Atypical Battery we run each cell through a process that slowly discharges and charges the cells. The process will increase the capacity of each cell and it will give us a final Ah and Wh reading so that we have a better understanding of how to balance the cells together. In addition to increasing the capacity of the battery cells we also upgrade the batteries with parts that will increase the life of the battery. Depending on the make and model the upgrade might include new nickel plated bus bars or new insulation in the battery.

Installations

Every installation is performed by an ASE certified technician. Once we have verified with you that the hybrid battery does need to be changed we will send a certified technician anywhere in Austin to replace your battery with an Atypical Battery. We will take your battery back to be reconditioned for the next customer.

How Do I Verify I Have A Bad Battery

The first step is to have the codes checked. You will have to get the codes in the hybrid module checked, unfortunately to check the hybrid system a fairly high level scanner will be required. Which means it will need it to be evaluated by a mechanic. Getting the codes checked from a parts store won’t provide you enough information to determine if the battery is bad or if there is another problem. If you have any questions feel free to contact us to determine if you really do have battery issue.

Is Austin Your Only Service Area

We service Austin and surrounding areas. If you live in a neighboring city, give us a call and we can discuss if its possible to install a battery where you are. We are an Austin company so if it is within a derivable distance we will be willing to serve your area.

Warranty

All our batteries come with a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty. The first step is to get the codes checked by a mechanic. Remember that we need the codes from the hybrid module so you won’t be able to get the codes from a parts store. Then give us a call. Don’t schedule online or you will be required to pay again. If you had the codes checked and your still not sure if the battery is bad give us a call. We have years of real world automotive experience. If the battery is bad we will schedule an appointment ASAP. We understand that having to deal with a warranty is very frustrating and we want to make the process as easy as possible. There are a few things that can void your warranty but they’re common sense things. You can see those here.