Trollinsight Modding Thread (2000 Honda Insight)

[minispeed]

Originally Posted by HyperMileQC

Interested on your IMAC&C project.

Cost so far, $55 US forthe PCB
$52.60 CDN for LCD
$23.08 CDN for Pic Programmer
$68.76 CDN for parts from Mouser (that includes $8 shipping through USPS/Canada Post which usually never gets charged duty) or it would be $20 shipping duty included through FedEx/UPS

Grand total with all shipping $199.44 (without converting the $55 USD to CDN)

I omitted the screws for the terminals on Mouser that were $3 each and 6 of them needed, I figured I could find them from old computer conectors or just go to Home Depot and get the right size bolt.

I'll probably have to buy a new soldering iron too with a finner tip.

[HyperMileQC]

Finally took my appointment for my winter tires. Just before december .

Also, the IMA inhibit switch is doing some good! Before the switch I had to charge every week. Now I can do 2 weeks on the same charge. The switch is a cheap but really good way to use to electric motor only when you wan't it, and stop it from working when you don't want to.

Its just sad I didn't do it earlier... I could see if it helped on MPG. But with falling temps and lot more wind, its very difficult to detect to difference. Saving the battery and some gas at the same time .

EDIT : I will probably don't do a killswitch because it seems you can't bump start when you kill with the switch.

[UltArc]

Why can't one bump start when killing the engine by switch?

I thought Metro said it could also start by the IMA, too.

[HyperMileQC]

So far I have seen 2 types of killswitch for the insight 1st gen. The FAS system from M Dabrowski, which keep the dc/dc running while EOC, BUT, When you put it in gear it restarts automaticly with the IMA motor. No bump starting here. There is also the spark switch which IIRC is the one Darin made. But this switch, in combination of a clutch switch, simulates auto start like the FAS and it restart automaticly if you go in gear. This switch is not as good as the injector killswitch because when you cut the engine, there is a small amount of unburnt fuel that goes in your catalyst and this is not good on the long term.

If you don't have a clutch switch, when you kill the engine with the killswitch, the Insight restarts automaticly when you depress the switch even after pushing it 3-5 seconds. So this is why there is no way to bump start when you kill the engine with a killswitch on the Insight, and that's why I'll probably won't do a killswitch.

[UltArc]

I love learning. I imagined if I pulled it out of gear, and killed the engine, it would stay off until put back in gear. I'll have to look for that "M Dabrowski FAS." I am not familiar.

[HyperMileQC]

Link for FAS on 99mpg.com... http://99mpg.com/mima/thefassystem/

[Insight for life]

you can bump start when you kill with a switch. (edit), Never mind I thought you were saying you cannot start the car without turning the key again, but what i think you are saying is that instead of spinning the motor with the trans to start it you have to start it with the ima motor.

[HyperMileQC]

You just have no choice. When the engine is killed with a killswitch, if you try to bump start, it will automaticly start by the electric motor. That is what my understanding of the killswitch is.

[Insight for life]

Originally Posted by HyperMileQC

You just have no choice. When the engine is killed with a killswitch, if you try to bump start, it will automaticly start by the electric motor. That is what my understanding of the killswitch is.

why would you want to bump start it?

[HyperMileQC]

Because when the engine starts by the IMA motor, there is some energy used from your 144v battery. There is also a small amount of fuel used to help start. When you bump start, there is only kinetic energy used. When doing my commute I can bump start 30-40 times. If every time I restart I do it with the IMA motor, it will be significantly less efficient. Bump starting is the reason why I drive stick.