Got a new UFO*: 2000 Honda Insight 5-speed (ailing IMA hybrid battery pack)

[Piwoslaw]

So it's been at least two weeks since you've turned the engine on? That's one loooooong EOC!

[MetroMPG]

No, just a long "EOP"! (Engine off, parked.)

It hasn't moved in about a week. But it sits outside, and lots of people walk by and look at it funny. A few ask questions if I'm around.

[MetroMPG]

This week I'll be putting the UFO away for a few months. The Firefly -- relegated to winter beater status! -- will take its place until spring.

This will give me a chance to remove the hybrid battery and measure the health (capacity) of the 20 "sticks" of cells that make up the pack. The aim of course is to replace the dead/weak ones and get it ready for service next year.

It'll be nice to flip the big battery pack breaker back to the "ON" position, and learn how to use the car's hybrid functions to best effect for my particular driving patterns.

My 3 fill-ups in the car -- without any hybrid functionality -- netted 2.8 L/100 km / 83.4 mpg (US) this year.

My goal for next year is to mod it further to expand the lean burn "window": to permit more lean-burn cruising @ 100+ mpg (US) indicated on the dash display, at the speed limit on the roads I use most often (80 km/h / 50 mph limit).

It's a very fun & interesting car.

[rmay635703]

I really wish I could find a good running UFO Honda Insight in the sub $2k area here in wisconsin, sadly as you go north in the USA the price increases exponentially.

Cheapest I've found are all near Florida-ish

[Daox]

So true. I've kept an eye open for one for quite a while and haven't found anything in WI area that are the kind of steals these guys are finding.

[MetroMPG]

So if & when a good one does comes up in WI, there will be fisticuffs between you two!

[silverinsight2]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

This week I'll be putting the UFO away for a few months. The Firefly -- relegated to winter beater status! -- will take its place until spring.

This will give me a chance to remove the hybrid battery and measure the health (capacity) of the 20 "sticks" of cells that make up the pack. The aim of course is to replace the dead/weak ones and get it ready for service next year.

It'll be nice to flip the big battery pack breaker back to the "ON" position, and learn how to use the car's hybrid functions to best effect for my particular driving patterns.

My 3 fill-ups in the car -- without any hybrid functionality -- netted 2.8 L/100 km / 83.4 mpg (US) this year.

My goal for next year is to mod it further to expand the lean burn "window": to permit more lean-burn cruising @ 100+ mpg (US) indicated on the dash display, at the speed limit on the roads I use most often (80 km/h / 50 mph limit).

It's a very fun & interesting car.

You should really put the Firefly away for winter...fewer corrosion issues w/ the Insight.
My battery's been disconnected since Thanksgiving Friday ...with lower temp, hills, snow tires, and winter gas I barely break 50mpg.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by silverinsight2

You should really put the Firefly away for winter...fewer corrosion issues w/ the Insight.

You're right, and I thought about that, but the Insight does have steel parts, and some of mine are already showing corrosion (many fasteners - can't get my coil packs off; etc.)

The Firefly is still pretty mint, but I also treat it every other year with an anti-rust coating. It'll probably outlive me.

My battery's been disconnected since Thanksgiving Friday ...with lower temp, hills, snow tires, and winter gas I barely break 50mpg.

Makes me feel lucky for the typical driving I do in the environment I have!

Though the crappiest part of the year is yet to come...

[deathtrain]

thats why im looking for one too. I am looking for a car to do a rebuild on. I think on early Insight would be best to do. Parts and dealer support are still available if i need it. I got the room and nothing on a car that I have not rebuilt myself before.

[MetroMPG]

FYI, for those who haven't seen yet, I have pulled the car's battery pack and started analyzing it.

I'm documenting the fun here:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...0-a-19975.html

.