Is this all normal for a Gen 1 Insight?

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Just a heads up on the clutch switch mod. In MY 2005 and 2006 Insights this switch only disables regen -- it won't disable assist like it will in the earlier models. (FWIW, the same years apply for the MT Civic Hybrid -- the mod works for disabling both assist and regen in the 2003 and 2004 models, then only regen in the 2005 model).

My understanding is that you'd have to install at least a stripped down variant of MIMA to disable assist with a switch in '05 and '06 Insights.

[JimGnitecki]

"Stopwatch, drive up the hill, keeping amps as constant as you can, and see how many amps for how many minutes the pack can produce until it stops giving assist."

Mike, how do I know how many amps of assist? Is each bar of assist = to "x" amps???

Jim G

[satchel]

Originally Posted by Mike Dabrowski 2000

Peters battery guage shows the information, so that may be easiest way to find out?
Stopwatch, drive up the hill, keeping amps as constant as you can, and see how many amps for how many minutes the pack can produce until it stops giving assist.
Peter, maybe you can include an AH capacity test in the gage?

You need Peter's gauge to read the amps.

[MN Driver]

Mike, Peter's gauge has a function that when activated with the switch(if installed) is setup for an imaginary 10Ah value(such as a parallel pack) which could be changed in source to whatever value desired. ...or one could also use the math with that function to find the capacity based on the percentage displayed as well. Considering that it is programmable, the capacity could be set or it could likely be programmed to count the Ah as well.

[ac7ss]

Originally Posted by JimGnitecki

I ALWAYS leave the AC set on "auto" and at 70 degrees, as my job requires crisp clothing appearance.

You can drastically improve your mileage in town by using ECON AC mode and press the fan button to set an air velocity. The engine will autostop, but this will keep the fan blowing across the (already cold) AC coil. You won't get too much warmer at a 1 minute light.

Try it for a tank and see what you get.

[TRI]

1+2: I also live in a mountainous area. First, I was tempted to use full assist in 5th uphill until I realised that the battery capacity is quite low. I then compromised on mpg and shifted to a lower gear to let the engine do more work and save the battery. I still use assist but only one segment of the bar but for a very extended distance (it goes about 6 miles uphill, half of it pretty steep). I use 3rd or 4th. This empties the battery much less but still to about half. It's not about not using assist at all. I just use minimal assist but with a great impact because the torque of the electric engine helps a lot. Avoiding assist would mean going in 2nd with 5k rpm.
The next 6 miles are +- flat where I avoid background charge as it goes 6 miles downhill after that where I charge/coast.
It's all about distributing the load on the whole distance. The more I used the pack going uphill the more I have to charge it downhill and the less I can coast with FAS/MIMA because I have to charge more.
Not using full assist going uphill sounds like wasting gas but you will be rewarded going downhill. I still get up to 76 mpg on that road. That's not much more than usual. Ok, I don't drive with A/C.
Save your full assist to the steepest parts and downshift if you have to accelerate. Your mpg will go up but it's only for a short distance.