Throttle Conditioning Circuit on ebay

Expertfabricator · 06-04-2009, 01:58 PM

This is the throttle conditioning circuit that makes it much easier to stay in lean cruise mode. This circuit actually works and makes it much easier to stay in lean cruise. Lean cruise is when you see the FCD display 75 MPG or more and you'll also notice a charge being put into the IMA battery. http://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotor...%3AMESELX%3AIT Hopefully the link works,if not the item number is 220424975576.

Expertfabricator · 06-04-2009, 02:00 PM

Honda Insight Gas saver Circuit Actually Works!:eBay Motors (item 220424975576 end time Jun-09-09 12:17:01 PDT)Try this again.

joecvt · 06-04-2009, 11:01 PM

Couple of concenrs on your ebay ad for the smoothing circuit.

In your ad you say:

This is a circuit to help keep a Honda Insight in lean cruise mode. Lean cruise is when you see the FDC (fuel consumption display) read 75 MPG or higher and youll see 3 to 4 green charging bars on the charge indicator. Lean cruise is really what makes the Insight special.

It does not seem reasonable that you are only in lean cruise when the FCD is 75 MPG or greater AND 3 to 4 regen bars. Those 3-4 bars are either a force charge no matter if your device is attached or not or you changed the TPS voltage to a point whereas the ECM "thinks" that your foot is not on the throttle at all (giving the regen bars).

It doesn't seem that lean burn can be extended for longer periods of time while performing a forced charge all during that time.

Also, your ad says that it will work on CVT models. Two points of interest on this. USA CVT models do not have lean burn equipment to enable lean burn. Second point is that the TPS voltage will also goto the CVT controller (called the TCM) and may change the timing of the ratio changes in the CVT. A long delay in the "smoothing" could make the CVT controller delay a ratio change that could affect efficiency. I created a circuit to automatically modify the TPS voltage curve to adjust the ratio a bit. I have not posted this mod yet but will soon so I have some experience in how the TPS voltage affects the CVT in certain driving conditions. The CVT mod I made does not modify the voltage going to the ECM though. Here is a picture of the circuit:

http://74.92.0.194/misc/insight/cvt-ratio/circuit01.jpg

It is so small (about a 2 inch square) that is fits inside the TCM cover.

Anyway....Hope this helps in what you may what to say in your ebay ad.

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

Expertfabricator · 06-05-2009, 12:48 AM

Joecvt,
You have some valid points. I did choose the wrong way to say a few things. BTW nice ckt lay out! The important thing is what I am making and selling does work and work well. I will edit my listing when I can find time but I think they may have already been spoken for. At this point its a matter of who pays first. I did spend a good deal of time testing and writing very detailed install directions with color pictures and diagrams so anyone with any wiring experience should be able to install it with no issues. I hate people who sell junk and are not honest. Buy I can say that the lean burn is absolutely extended even with the small charge and I cant find any drawbacks to installing this or I wouldnt sell it.

joecvt · 06-05-2009, 12:34 PM

I have no doubt that the smoothing circuit works for those who have a nervous (twitchy) foot (in that case the car goes in and out of lean burn due to the driver). This helps the ECM see smooth transitions of the TPS voltage so while the car is in lean burn, the circuit helps maintain lean burn longer without a twitchy foot being a reason to come out of lean burn.

It is really your description of how you know that you are in lean burn that caught my attention in the ad (plus your mention of CVT models).

I have been around this forum for many years and many people over those years have tried to describe when you are in lean burn. Most people seem to say something like as you ease off the gas a little, once the MPG indicator makes a leap towards 100MPG, you are in lean burn. While you are in lean burn, every so often a purge will need to be performed that will drop you out of lean burn during the purge.

I do not recall any mentioning the requirement of 3-4 regen bars to be lit as an indication of being in lean burn. From what I understand, lean burn only usually happens under light throttle and light engine load conditions (like maintaining a certain speed without additional acceleration).

The 3-4 bars of regen would put an additional load on the engine while cruising and you you think, making it hard to maintain the lean burn window.

These 3-4 bars that you mention either seem to be because your battery SOC is low enough to induce a "forced charge" while driving or the ECM is somwhow reading the TPS voltage as near 4.5v (typical foot off accelerator voltage) so the 3-4 bars of regen show up on those occasions.

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

Expertfabricator · 06-05-2009, 12:40 PM

I guess its more difficult than expected to tell when you are indeed in lean burn or not. Im just thrilled when I can stay in it as long as possible. How does the Insight hold up in New Hampshire weather? I noticed mine has no undercoating and a lot of bare exposed aluminum underneath. Mine is silver,I couldn't find a blue one like I wanted. Just curious about corrosion.

joecvt · 06-05-2009, 12:48 PM

You shouldn't have to worry too much about the lack of undercoating on the Insight since it will not rust anyway

(although it may have helped a little with road noise)

It has been able to handle the New England snowfalls as long as the roads are only covered with a few inches but sometimes tough to get out of parking lots with a foot or more of snowfall and not plowed yet.

But many other cars would have problems at that point as well.

Are you in the New England area?

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

Expertfabricator · 06-05-2009, 12:59 PM

I grew up in Upstate NY very use to waking up to a foot of snow...or trying to leave work with and being plowed in the parking lot. I recently relocated to N.C. mainly because I was tired of NY's four seasons. Those seasons are winter,winter ,still winter and road construction! Your right aluminum wont rust but it will corrode. Sounds like its holding up well for you which is great. It seemed while living in NY about every 5 years you had to replace your car before the rust became visible. So I am a yankee relocated to the south. I will however absolutely never develope a southern accent.

Expertfabricator · 06-06-2009, 11:03 AM

All the throttle circuits sold. I will be making more and relisting within the week. I will be changing the way the listing goes per Joecvt's suggestion. Also I have made the circuits smaller and will be listing a larger quantity next time.

Expertfabricator · 06-10-2009, 03:02 PM

I have made more of these circuits and relisted them on ebay. I made them smaller so mounting the box is easier. I also fine tune each one by checking the resistance because resistors vary quite a bit. Some now have 2 resistors some more. I make them all the same,exactly like the one installed in my car that I have tested and determined to be the best value. Here is a link to the auction. Honda Insight Gas saver Circuit Actually Works!:eBay Motors (item 220432138393 end time Jun-20-09 09:43:39 PDT)