2000 Insight Build Thread

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Bummer about your room mate.

And: next on the list... coolant heater. Recover a lot of your cold weather efficiency loss.

I never bothered with the brake/regen switch mod.

Question though: what happens if you press the switch while also pressing the accelerator? Wouldn't that give you your "regen while driving"? Or does the car watch for accelerator position to prevent 2-pedal issues.

I made much more use of the gears with my Insight when I *wanted* regen -- downshifted often to ensure enough engine RPM so the generator could pump out lots of current. That means it was the first manual car I owned where I often downshifted (matched revs) through the gears while approaching a stop.

One nice thing is that by fully pressing the button, it FULLY charges. I have done what you described, but it only slightly charges- never full regen. I was able to keep the SOC near 50% the whole trip out today. And you are correct, the throttle with brake regen does nothing but light up the brake lights.

Under the dash there is a button that connects with the brake pedal. As the pedal is pressed, the button is moved and that is what activates the brake lights and regen- this cuts into that system and simulates the brake pedal being pushed. Nothing super fancy, but clever nonetheless.

I would have had my IMA on/off switch already done, but there is only enough wiring to go to the place the inventor wants it- not enough for where I want it. Also waiting for my equipment for the kill switch, although I still don't know 100% which fuse I want to use.

[UltArc]

Holy crap! I made the top 10 hybrids! There are only 31, so my excitement is manic, up and down, but still proud! lol

[nemo]

Originally Posted by UltArc

Holy crap! I made the top 10 hybrids! There are only 31, so my excitement is manic, up and down, but still proud! lol

Congradulations on the top ten!


Now if there were only ten........

[pgfpro]

Originally Posted by UltArc

Holy crap! I made the top 10 hybrids! There are only 31, so my excitement is manic, up and down, but still proud! lol

Nice work!!!

[UltArc]

WooHoo!

IMA light is on

I was worried it would last since it was replaced, and not go before the warranty (1 year, 16k miles), but looks like it has!

[UltArc]

And Honda confirmed it! New IMA for me( !!!!!!!!!!!!), and a car to hold me over- I politely requested a CR-Z, so I'm expecting a 87 civic...lol

[nemo]

Awful happy for some one who broke their car.

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by nemo

Awful happy for some one who broke their car.

Lol, one of the reasons I bought it! Either A) it works for the next year/16k, or B) it fails before the end of the year/16k, and I get a new battery!

It worked out in my favor.

[UltArc]

Friday, I am building my Fiberglass lower grille block, boat tail, and maybe an upper grille block. I may have to complete my kill switch, also. Inspector is coming out to review the damage, Honda says over 2k to fix it up, my new IMA is on back order, and they are going to try to have a CR-Z for me.

This past Friday, I visited the Insight graveyard.
I have a Honda S2000; steering wheel, shifter knob, and radio unit (WHICH FIXED MY 6 CD CHANGER!!!). A Honda Civic (Hybrid?) upper grille, a new map net, AC control unit (for selling my AC gear), a lower front fascia (destroyed, but for making a wicked lower grille block), a random flat panel to mutilate, the original Insight rear bag (instead of the net), a passenger headlamp (not really working, might have to use it since this claim is taking forever), a better driver Insight floor mat and more that I will update when I remember.

Original Plan:
1. Rear flat panel
2. Honda Inspection
3. Underbody
4. Partial air dam
5. Side skirts

2nd:
1-1. 2nd times the charm!
1-2. Images will be uploaded in this post.
1-3. Saturday, 0800-1400
1-4. After 3.
1-5. Is in progress, and pretty effective.

Under body is now on pause, I may try to use a local tune shops since drag season is almost over. Inspection was fantastic, the noise was my rear right skirt having a broken tab and clanking in sharp turns. No air dam. Side skirts are off the table for now.

I did have a stroke of genius, I think.

In all my reading of front wheel skirts, I noticed a flaw. Increasing frontal area. But I noticed something else about all the designs I've seen that seems to correlate.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...kirts-398.html
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-0-a-5462.html <Metro & AeroCivic

They all mount from the top. Why not mount flush and at the front? I may even have time to do my IMA on/off switch. A lot to do, a lot on my mind.

Game plan:
Get the mold started for the upper grille block, wax, wax paper, tape to line it. Fiberglass then resin in, medium thickness layer. Then, I take it inside to dry while I work on the boat tail. Wooden frame at the end, wooden frame at the base. Then, wood to attach the two squares. The plan is 11 pieces of thinner wood, and secured to the bike rack. When the frame is built, poly carbonate underneath, above, and on the sides. The rear will hold the tag, but be open so I can still see through the slick glass at the rear. As I get set with the FG drying, I will fill with great foam SLOWLY, in small amounts. The upper grille block will be assembled out of the Civic grille I have, but is pretty low on the list. I'd rather get my KS and IMA O/O switch done, first.

The front wheel skirts are pretty far out on my timeline, but the potential ease of fiberglass has inspired me. All in all, big plans.

[jedi_sol]

take lots of pictures!