TexasLeaf said:
Every time I read one of these threads about cell swaps I sounds like whoever is doing the swap is trying to back engineer the battery pack. But every thread I've seen on battery replacements under warranty indicates that the new pack comes completely assembled and just bolts and plugs right in. Replacing battery packs is a standard procedure so there must be a service manual from Nissan that tells you exactly how to install the new battery pack.
TexasLeaf said:
The service manual for Leaf battery pack replacement should be easy enough to get ahold of and it's hard for me to believe that no one on this forum has a copy. So what does the service manual for Leaf battery pack replacement say??? Does it say you have to do any reprogramming when you install a replacement battery?
The pack (which has a BMS module inside) must be paired to the car.
See
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=497035#p497035
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=464858#p464858
If it's not paired, the car won't got faster than 25 mph.
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=21997&p=500684&hilit=mph#p500684
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=21997&p=464829&hilit=mph#p464829
And, an entire pack new from Nissan is expensive ($7K+). There's also the issue of the kit needed for newer packs to be used on '11 and '12 Leafs: http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=17168&p=374490. And, you can get a pack with the battery warmer or not. Most '11s don't have the warmer whereas all '12 thru '17 packs should have the warmer. And, '13 to '17 packs have 1 less temperature sensor.
There are also some differences between versions of packs.
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=21997&p=488712&hilit=modules#p488712
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=21997&p=500684&hilit=modules#p500684
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=21997&p=500698&hilit=modules#p500698
Please go thru that thread and read the posts by Cor.
If the dealer is going to to a pack swap that's either customer paid or warranty, they will NEVER do the above. They will simply order the correct pack, an adapter kit (if needed), swap packs and pair the new one. There's no reason for them to go thru all the steps that Cor is going thru.
Also see posts by a well-known dealer tech (Aaron) on packs and pack differences. Example: https://www.facebook.com/groups/seattlenissanleaf/permalink/1926260927405335/?comment_id=1926268064071288&reply_comment_id=1926303147401113&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D.
100% no not interchangeable. The 13-18 Packs have a additional H/V port at the front that will not let the vehicle engage the system main relaysnunless the port is plugged in. The only way to make this work is swap internals but use the older cars bus bars and H/V wiring.
He elaborates further. Search for posts on FB by him in the various Leaf groups.
Often, when someone has a pack that's too degraded and they want another, they have an '11 or '12 (see above differences) and want one that's newer because it has had less calendar loss and likely has a much better chemistry since all the ones built before 4/2013 seem to have a crap chemistry. Ideally, you'd want a model year '15 "lizard" packs from a crashed Leaf that was in a mild climate. 2nd choice would be a 4/2013+ built thru model year '14 pack. But then there are the physical compat problems in both cases.
If someone had a '13 that was past 5 year/60K capacity warranty and down too many bars, then a pack from a '13 thru '15 in a mild climate (so it has less loss) should be suitable. Probably most or all '13s have just recently passed their 5 year/60K capacity warranty. (They were mostly built starting 1/2013 and I think built thru ~12/2013.)