Analyzing, refurbishing/repairing a dead hybrid battery pack (2000 Honda Insight)

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Artric

On a side note, I've built a lot of simple 350mah chargers for a lot of Insight owners, and all have been happy with the results so far, in regards to bringing packs back to life. Just mentioning for those that might not see a pack disassembly in your future.

I'd definitely recommend trying grid-charging as a first step for anyone having problems with a battery pack they can't afford the time (or $) to tinker with at the moment.

[user removed]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

*raises a hand*

I haven't been spending much time on the forums, but I do have some sticks for sale. So does Hybrid-Battery-Repair.com. You could try a WTB thread here or on InsightCentral, because I'm sure I'm not the only one parting out a pack.

Good to see you are back Robert. I was wondering what had happened to you and your information packed posts were missed.

Sadly I missed the Insight I wanted to buy. It was a 2000 model with less than 36 k miles. Just a little more than I wanted to bid on the auction.

It's OK though, am working on an 89 CRX hf right now, with some rear end damage, nothing near as bad as my old VX was. We will see how it goes.

regards
Mech

[koolkev]

Originally Posted by Artric

Disconnect the junction board from the battery and replace it in the battery box, connecting everything as if the battery were there. Works fine, but keep the 12v battery charging so you don't ruin it!

One Saturday I pulled my battery pack and believe that I put the junction board in correctly. I drove to the store and back no problem. But the 12v died on the way to a party that night, wife not amused/hates the insight. I put everything back in and it ran ok till I left it sit for a wile and then the 12 was bad so I replaced it.

What do you mean by "keep the 12v battery charging so you don't ruin it!"? Just rev high or keep charging it every time I stop on wall power?

[navguy12]

Use a DC-DC Keep alive mod to be able to run indefinitely without the IMA battery.

Hello from a newbie with warranty still remaining on a dying IMA battery; reading all this great info....what is DC-DC Keep alive mod?
Thanks
Cheers
Mike

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by koolkev

One Saturday I pulled my battery pack and believe that I put the junction board in correctly. I drove to the store and back no problem. But the 12v died on the way to a party that night, wife not amused/hates the insight. I put everything back in and it ran ok till I left it sit for a wile and then the 12 was bad so I replaced it.

Was the dashboard 12v battery idiot light illuminated that night? In my car if the DC-DC converter is not sending output to the 12v battery, that light will be on.

[FXSTi]

Originally Posted by navguy12

Hello from a newbie with warranty still remaining on a dying IMA battery; reading all this great info....what is DC-DC Keep alive mod?
Thanks
Cheers
Mike

Try this, but I don't know if it applies to the Civic or InsightII.

Kirk

*either the link was edited out or I forgot to put it in. I'm not going to risk the wrath of the mods to find out which. It was a link to a cleanmpg thread explaining the keep alive mod.

* Edit Part Duex: Darrin informs me that I am the dummy and forgot the link.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25558

[navguy12]

Try this, but I don't know if it applies to the Civic or InsightII.

Sorry, not following you. Try "what".
Thanks
cheers
Mike

[koolkev]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Was the dashboard 12v battery light illuminated that night?

I don't remember if the light was on. The battery was dead. I got it recharged and it worked for several months.

Could more people who run without the battery pack chime in. Can the car be run indefinitely without the pack? I would be very happy to get a battery conditioner so I could get the pack analyzed/balanced/charged. However I need the car to be running during that process. Without the pulling the pack I can't fix the pack and don't see this particular car getting a new pack or going to the dealer.

If the issue is that the DC-DC can't fully charge the battery but extends the charge, I now have a 12v charger so could keep the charge up at night. I could even add another 12v battery for more capacity or one of those solar panels with a trickle charge.

[Daox]

Guys, if you need assistance with insight 12V issues please start a new thread. This one is about the high voltage pack, not the 12V.

[koolkev]

I'm talking about the 12v only because if I can remove the pack and drive without it I can then tackle the HV pack at a slower pace. My car is running with a bad HV pack.

I started a new thread today 1/11/12.:

"Running An Insight Without the NiMH / High Voltage Battery"

Could people please go there and chime in if they have run with the HV pack out for an extended period? I would get the charger/conditioner and find out what is going on in the pack if I could run HV free for a few weeks.

I think it would help a lot of people if they could get at the battery but have time to work and use the car. This might expand the input/knowledge in this forum and demand/supply for parts and extend the life of insights.