No, it was actually very simple.
The car key was accidently left in the 12 position during the day while the Insight was being displayed. That killed the 12v battery. His 144V system was fine.
I simply did a regular jump-start to his 12v system, except that I could use any one of 13 batteries in my car.
I jumped it from one of my high-voltage system batteries, because it had better and bigger posts than my 12v system battery does.
It really did start up instantly.
The driver looked a bit uncomfortable, having to idle his car for a bit to recharge his 12v battery. Just think of all that gas he wasted. I bet he got a little less than 70 mpg that day.
No guesses on who the Insight pilot in the video is?
It's our very own Eric Powers, founder of
HYBRIDFEST.
He swings through Ecomodder every once in a while. Say hello! if you see him!
Better yet, come by HYBRIDFEST July 17-19, 2009 in Madison Wisconsin!