Insight Batt: drops 5 bars in 1min, only 1/3 regen at 60% - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

bobmutch · 11-22-2010, 11:20 PM

Insight Batt: drops 5 bars in 1min, only 1/3 regen at 60%

Ok so I took this 2000 Honda Insight 1st Gen for a test drive. The battery was about 50%. So I got it in 5th fast and put it to the floor to get high assist. It dropped from 7 to 2 bars inside of 15 sec and in another 20 sec it dropped the last 2. I have done this same thing to my own 2000 insight and it never drops that far.

To charge it back up I would speed up to 70km and then touch the brake to get full regen. At 60% it would only give me 5 or 6 bars of regen when I touched the brake. In my 2000 sight it would always give me 100% regen when I touche the brake all the way up to the top minus 1 bar.

What does this mean?

SVOboy · 11-23-2010, 12:05 AM

Sounds like the battery is old and sad to me.

bobmutch · 11-23-2010, 12:22 AM

Yes I figured that much. I was looking for something more than the obvious?

RobertSmalls · 11-23-2010, 06:01 PM

The battery is old and sad.

Based on the absence of the CEL, it's not old and sad enough for Honda to replace it under warranty.

If I owned that battery, I'd refurbish it so as to enjoy the benefits of a healthy battery.

Old Mechanic · 11-23-2010, 08:41 PM

If you want a CEL just keep using boost and then coast in neutral, but don't allow any regeneration. Check your in service date which is when the warranty begins. If it is after 10 years before the current date and the car is not a salvage title, you should be able to get a rebuilt battery from Honda.

regards
Mech