How to Charge a Hybrid Traction Battery

We have a new project in the shop. A 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid. It sustained some damage and the hybrid/traction battery charge is too low to get the car to turn on and display "Ready." This is not a plugin hybrid so the only real way to charge the battery is with the engine, but with the hybrid battery too low, the engine won't start. Thanks to the knowledge from another youtuber Mécanique Auto MF8, I pieced together a method to get the car back alive enough to test. Here is the method I used to charge a hybrid/traction LiON battery. Hope it helps.
Here is the video I found that helped me:
• Comment recharger une...
• Comment recharger une...

[@revlis240]

Ive had a dead optima on my hands for over a year, your solution will help me get it back on the road. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I will report back when I get this done. Awesome work

[@AZExpert]

Good luck! I hope everything goes well, generally there is a reason why the battery goes dead though so have a scanner ready.

[@revlis240]

@@AZExpert it was my fault. The engine had an issue and I moved the car using battery power. Never thought a modern day car would be dumb enough to kill it's own battery beyond a safe level. I did find a 29.6v 1a lithium battery charger for $49. Would it not be possible to use that? What do you think?

[@arturomorales9331]

@@revlis240 did you faund why it wasn't charging the battery ?I have the same problem Thank you!

[@revlis240]

@@arturomorales9331 In my case the motor was bad. We replaced the entire engine and that was my solution unfortunately. The 2.4L is a junk motor thats going bad in a lot of cases unfortunately.

[@arturomorales9331]

@@revlis240 ok so you replaced the gasoline engine what about the hybrid starter generator ? Thank you so much in advance

[@philw7174]

Interesting video, thanks James. Happy trails!

[@AZExpert]

LOL thanks Phil

[@TheHandyman1313]

Feel bad about short, hopefully the assistant learned to double check his work, but as an instructor sadly you have to double check too. Be safe and thanks for your helpful video✌️👍

[@AZExpert]

Very true

[@mv5590]

Thank you for your video it really helped me. 👍

[@AZExpert]

you're very welcome!

[@syedfarhan5]

Thank you for sharing the information. I have a Sonata Hybrid and bought a spare hybrid battery for $80 but no issues with current battery....Can you please send me model # of the battery charger? I would appreciate it 😊

[@ateshnarayan9769]

Wonderful work. Its amazing. I love it. I learnt what I always wanted to learn. Keep it up genius man

[@AZExpert]

Thank you so much 😀

[@samspade8830]

​@@AZExpert Do you happen to live in Georgia by chance? My hybrid battery is low. It's a 2012 Kia Optima hybrid. I don't have the means to charge it myself. If you don't live in GA, do you know anyone who can do the job in GA. Lol thanks.

[@AZExpert]

@@samspade8830 I am sorry, I am in Arizona.

[@samspade8830]

@@AZExpert Okay, thank. Lol I should've notice your profile name. I wasn't paying attention. Lol. Thanks for replying.

[@alexazar2990]

Hi , My 2013 Sonata hybrid sat for a while and the battery cells are 20v now . What charger do you recommend to charge the cells? Did the charger you showed in the video work for you? Thank you so much for the video!

[@tonyfisher712]

I applaud your video

[@tiagodonascimento9208]

Hi, I have problems for my car, this you fix stater good

[@rohanboswell5408]

Interesting, video,i have the same battery on a 2012 Hyundai sonata with cell at 27 and 26

[@dathanodell695]

Great video. Thank you for making it. How did the car perform once you put the battery back in?

[@AZExpert]

So the car engine started and ran, but sadly the hybrid drive/charge system was bad too. :( Thanks!

[@crispoulson8830]

@@AZExpert How did you determine the drive/charge system was bad? When you drove it did the display show energy going from the engine to the battery, or the wheels to the battery?

[@AZExpert]

@@crispoulson8830 when the engine was running it was not charging the battery and the battery depleted very quickly. It also sounded terrible

[@BehzadEghtesad]

Thanks . 1.Why it’s dead? 3 phase generator not worked? 2. As long as this battery is down, there is no other way to crank/start the car?

[@rohanboswell5408]

Wow i noticed its been 4 years ago ,so im just seeing this August 2023

[@mrmudstud5980]

Interesting, well done.......

[@AZExpert]

It's fun to try something different. Thanks!

[@mastermonitor76]

@@AZExpert good afternoon.. how did you modify the cable to the charger so the jumpers could hook up.... never mind lol I got it!!!

[@andrewevans6309]

Hi could you charge a Honda Civic hybrid the same way ?

[@rohanboswell5408]

So did it work in the car ???thanks

[@brandondelahoussaye299]

I did the same thing but i used the Imax b6 universal hobby charger, worked like a charm & only cost $40 on amazon

[@AZExpert]

I figured that would work too, but I was outside my comfort level for sure with this and didn't want to test a theory on someone else's battery. Thanks!

[@matthewcallnan8822]

I tried the hobby charger, but it only went to 22 volts...(6 cells). each section of the battery is 7 cells. www.Powerstream.com has chargers specifically for 7 cell Lithium batteries. I got one for $70 including shipping and alligator clips and I'm back on the road! The Kia dealer couldn't even charge the damn thing!

[@mh-we7wq]

@@matthewcallnan8822 how long did it take for each module to charge. And did you have any issues. Do you have the exact model number?

[@mh-we7wq]

Was it this one ? www.powerstream.com/lithium-ion-charger-7-cell.htm

[@DarrelllCampbelll]

Thats not a 30v battery x 9. Its a battery pack. It has 8-3.75v batteries in it. If there is one bad cell in the battery pack it throws off the balance of the entire battery pack.

[@AZExpert]

Thanks

[@alecajebola525]

Hi there will it still start if each cell measured 24v

[@galaxyfelipe]

It just works if you have a dead battery ? I have a 2011 Optima Hybrid is loosing some MPG so is probably because the Hybrid batteries is losing their capacity. You think if I charge them all will increase my MPG again ? I try to take a look online for this Hybrid batteries but I just found used ones. Should I invest on this charger that you mention and try to charge them ?

[@AZExpert]

no, this will not restore a battery capacity at all.

[@AustinCoulson]

That's a sweet charger. Haven't seen one like that. do you know if the charger will tell you if you have a bad cell?

[@AZExpert]

That's a great question. I've never tested bad cell to check. But it won't charge if the circuit is open and I think shamefully it will tell you if you hooked up revese polarity. Likewise, it would detect a shorted cell

[@AustinCoulson]

@@AZExpert based on other chargers I would assume that it would either indicate that the cell wasn't accepting the charge, or it would just keep trying to charge forever with no increase in voltage showing up. I have been checking out your videos, they are quite good. Your editing is top notch. Keep up the good work

[@AZExpert]

@@AustinCoulson Thank you so much that is great to hear I don't get much feedback. I'm barely comfortable with any of the videos I've put out but I keep trying.

[@nooretautaya]

Hi. Is the charger really helpful to charge the hybrid batteries..can it cycle the batteries? Was it possible to re balance the batteries? It has a connector that can connect to a computer for the discharge curve analysis, did you try it? It can charge any batteries NI MH too

[@AZExpert]

This is not a permanent solution, only a means to charge the traction battery for diagnostics as the car is dead without a traction battery. The factory method is quite different. Thanks

[@robvlob]

At 11:20 you say you think there is possibly a problem with the hybrid system. Did you resolve this? I had bought a 09 that does not run the code is p0afa. The previous owner described something similar the noise followed the next day by a dead traction battery. I was going to swap the battery from another running 09, I'm glad I found this video before doing that otherwise I may have 2 non running 09

[@AZExpert]

I did not. There was definitely a huge battery draw

[@robvlob]

@@AZExpert So the Kia also drained the battery that you charged in this video?

[@beerninja7671]

What wires do I need to purchase with the cycle charger to hook up to my battery. Please and thank you. Great video btw

[@AZExpert]

Well all I used were 24awg jumper wires, I guess it depends on how often you will be doing this.

[@beerninja7671]

@@AZExpert how often do u think I would have to recharge after this 1st time. I plan on selling the car after I recharge the battery. Also thank u for taking the time out to answer my question. You rock

[@beerninja7671]

Can I use 18 awg by any chance

[@AZExpert]

@@beerninja7671 of course

[@beerninja7671]

@@AZExpert Thank you so much. You have saved me so much money, and right now is definitely the time to pinch back as much as possible. Thanks again

[@followersofthelamb5890]

Hey, hello how are you doing buddy ,loved the video... anyways could you please give me the profile to charge a Chevy Tahoe Hybrid battery...it would greatly appreciated. We would need it thank you bye.

[@AZExpert]

I'm really sorry, I don't know the charge profile of that battery. I would just google the battery size material and cell voltage and make a profile for it.

[@Space-ny3uy]

Great movie! What happen when the hybrid battery drains totally?

[@AZExpert]

The car won't start if the hybrid battery is dead....it seems like a very bad idea.

[@bambinojr14]

@@AZExpert I just bought a pre own 2017 hybrid which was parked for a while so now the hev battery need to get charge. Please drop some tips on how to get the system fully charge. Thanks

[@mh-we7wq]

Did it workout? Is there any other cheaper option for a charger? Could I just use a 24v 2 amp electric bike charger and just check it with a multimeter

[@rccorcoles7082]

I tried the bike charger at 56v at 2amp the charger goes into protection mode

[@chuckbehm]

Are there any other chargers that would work? I have the battery out and most packs are 27.5 two of them are 26.3 but the car wont start with a new 12v battery installed do I need to have them at 30 volts to turn over the car?

[@AZExpert]

some use RC plane battery chargers too

[@richardsypert5993]

Did you ever figure out what was wrong?

[@rohanboswell5408]

I have the same exact thing measurements and all ,tell me if you got a solution I will tell u if I get mine sorted out

[@husseinsalah2921]

Hi do you have the final result? A mean the car start up? Thanks

[@AZExpert]

Yes, the car started just fine, but the engine had a bad noise and the inverter was not charging it, so all that work for nothing.

[@husseinsalah2921]

@@AZExpert Wow, One question Is necessary charge the 9 batteries cell to 30 Volt? A mean do you know what is the Nominal voltage on that batteries. Because I tried to charge mine and take around 12 hours to charge just 1 volt. And I had 22.7 V in Few Cells 😬 it’s Going to take me around 2 weeks. ( I using a regular lithium charger) thanks for your help you just literally save my life!!

[@gabrielgreenham]

Hi I have the same issue with my hybrid Hyundai. How did it work out for you charging the battery?

[@AZExpert]

No, the engine would start and the car would run but would not charge the battery and it went dead very quickly unfortunately

[@crispoulson8830]

Did you ever get the Kia running? I replaced the internal combustion engine on a 2012 Sonata Hybrid (look up Theta II engine lawsuit) but I can't get it to start because the traction battery is too low. The dealer can't even charge the battery!! Hopefully this will allow me to save an otherwise useless car. Thanks

[@AZExpert]

Yes, once the battery was charged the eninge fire up.....however, I think the engine had issues or the hybrid drive system did. It was loud rattle and the traction battery depleted very quickly less than 5 minutes but the car would move. I don't think the owner wanted to go further with it, which is a shame as it was a very nice car.

[@crispoulson8830]

Also - found a small (aka slow) 33.6V charger for 8S LiPo cells on eBay. Not as nice as yours but it should allow me to save the battery from dropping below the 15% threshold.

[@AZExpert]

@@crispoulson8830 definitely, the charger I had was somewhat difficult to use too.

[@merlin186]

shouldnt the car charge these automatically

[@rohanboswell5408]

I subscribed,

[@rccorcoles7082]

29.2v normal?

[@ibrahimkarabulut3688]

battery how many kwh. Is the hyundai ionic's battery the same?

[@AZExpert]

I believe they are very similar, but definitely do a quick search on your battery first. Thanks!

[@ibrahimkarabulut3688]

@@AZExpert can it be used on electric bike? will it be efficient? How many kWh of energy does it produce?

[@user-cg9nn9ho6x]

Hello where a re you please i need you for my kia optima hybrid 2014

[@thuycko]

Can you help me! Can i use battery secondhand sir

[@AZExpert]

you should be able to use a salvaged battery for sure

[@jennifercunningham2763]

We have 19.6 battery life left in ours, car will not start. Could that be the problem ? Those battery charges are pretty pricey. Is each cell is 30 bolts? Just wondering if I replaced cells, how many I would need vs buying a charger?

[@AZExpert]

Yes, it would keep it from starting. Salvage yards may have them too, but you'll likely have to charge it either way

[@alexg.labastida1939]

Can you charge a Insight 2019 hybrid battery?

[@AZExpert]

It would charge it.....but a 2019?

[@alexg.labastida1939]

AZ Expert I bought it salvage and it set for a while and the battery die I want to know if you can charge it or does it need to buy new one it a 2019 Honda Insight

[@AZExpert]

@@alexg.labastida1939 I dont usually have a hybrid battery charging service. I was just showing it could be done with this charger. Something that new I would guess charging it first would be my first option as refurbished ones might be difficult to find.

[@daautowholesale6277]

I have 2015 Kia Optima the car don’t start. On the cluster show stop vehicle to charge battery can you help me

[@AZExpert]

I cannot help too much, the engine should be the charger. If the battery is so dead that the engine won't start, this is the process I used to get the engine started so I could troubleshoot the car. Thanks!

[@daautowholesale6277]

AZ Expert I replace motor I put new battery 12 voltage shop before code p0a0d

[@AZExpert]

@@daautowholesale6277 what does the traction battery gauge show not the 12volt battery it doesn't start the engine.

[@daautowholesale6277]

AZ Expert I put new hybrid battery Still the car don’t star only show stop vehicle to charge battery already put different hybrid battery

[@AZExpert]

The traction battery should show some voltage on the dash gauge if it is charged even a little bit. Sorry I can't help more.

[@jasonmartinez2363]

Could you provide link to the french youtuber video please

[@AZExpert]

It's in the description.

[@BehzadEghtesad]

you did not need to pen the orange connectors to charge each cells.

[@thuycko]

Pls can you help me

[@wendellgreenidge3362]

I thought Kia (and most manufacturers for that matter) used toyota hybrid tech so it’s pretty much the same thing

[@AZExpert]

that's what I thought too. I think it is licensed.

[@merlin186]

you gotta be kidding me you cant charge them all at once