5th generation civic hatchback - improving aerodynamics

[Daox]

Very nice Andrew! Time for coast down tests?

[MetroMPG]

I'm liking that 55 mpg lettering.

[Cd]

Hey Darin. I must have bad Karma or something as far as trying to copy your work.


My main snag has been getting the spoiler to slope downward. I'm using thin ABS plastic just as you have.
Whenever I attach the sides of the spoiler, the ABS has a natural tendency to bulge upwards in the center, and I loose all of the sloping angle.

I just can't figure out how you got the plastic to slope without having the sides bulge or vise versa.

I've completely ran out of time on my vacation and it looks as if I may have to even cancel doing any kind of tuft testing.

Family comes first and all

I'll post pictures of my ........ failed..attempts.

Your work has me envious. ( I was trying to imitate it, and as the saying goes, imitation is the sicerest form of flattery.

Looking very forward to the new results !

[Cd]

Did you have to slice the spoiler to get the sides to not bulge the center portion of the spoiler ?
That is the only thing that I can think of that might work. ( But I've ran out of ABS plastic and I am reluctant to slice it up.

I wanted to ask the same question that has been asked of Basjoos, and that is : Just curious as to why that you have the airflow directed straight into the path of the most resistance on your front wheel spoilers.
I would think having something that would direct the air to the sides would be more beneficial.

Thanks !

[Arminius]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I'm liking that 55 mpg lettering.

He'll have to make it a higher number soon.

[AndrewJ]

Originally Posted by Arminius

He'll have to make it a higher number soon.

Don't jinx it!

I've actually got a pretty good feeling about this tank. The odometer seems to confirm it....


Anyway, I just got off the phone with a guy who owns a golf-cart dealership in town. He said that on Thursday he's getting a load of 12 "used" deep cycle batteries from a ZAP electric car, and he'll sell me a few of them for whatever the core price is.

So, looks like I'll be using Darin's battery testing method and looking for a cheap 12v charger.

While I had the ECU pulled out trying to hook up my SuperMID, I also spliced into my "Alternator Control" wire.
And for all you curious folks with civics/integras/preludes, here's an ECU pinout so you can find it too. It's pin 16A (white/green wire)

Here's a nice article about Honda's alternator control circuitry.

This tells the ECU that the battery is fully charged and the electrical demands are very low. When this happens, the ECU will turn off the alternator. The voltage regulator puts approximately 8.5V (reference voltage) on the control wire, labeled "C" (WHT/GRN). When the ECU drops this signal to ground, the alternator will stop charging. If this wire is shorted to ground, the alternator will never charge.

Turns out that by grounding the Alt control wire, the alt shuts off. I tested it all out with my DMM and it looks to be true. 14.4v before, and 12.5ish when the alt control wire is grounded, and there's a noticeable difference in the sound of the engine at idle when doing this.

Here's a little list of things I'm trying to collect within the next few weeks:
-two 6v or 12v deep cycle batteries
-small digital voltmeter (to mount on the dash)
-interuptor switch (to ground the alt control wire)
-4awg jumper cables, welding cable or amplifier wiring kit.
-12v battery charger (around 15 amps)

[Arminius]

Originally Posted by AndrewJ

Don't jinx it!

I've actually got a pretty good feeling about this tank. The odometer seems to confirm it....

Sorry! I know what you mean. I just recorded my first tank. Looks like I'm really in need of some mods and a Scanguage! I thought I had at least 3 mpg more than I actually got in the end.

[MetroMPG]

Free batteries are good. And your alternator setup is enviable. As far as I know, the Metro ones are "dumb" - no control via the ECU.

[AndrewJ]

Had to go buy some new stickers from the hardware store today







And a little extra EM love.

[SVOboy]

Shoulda put the letters on reverse like the ambulances do,