2012... "The Year of the Insight"

[azaviator]

This is a bit of a cut and paste from another thread with a few new bits added at the end...

Originally Posted by azaviator

This is my first post in probably more than a year, so bear with me.[self edit of thread specific info]


Also, the main reason that I haven't been on this sight in a while is because my IMA threw a couple of codes at me (I believe they were p1447 and p1420 but not sure) and I knew that it meant a new battery pack, but haven't had the money to replace it. You could say that for the last year or so, I was 'ashamed' of my car... It still has a busted taillight from October 2010 when the hailstorm hit the Phoenix area... Hasn't been washed in (don't know but it's been too many) months... BUT... I digress...


I have decided that 2012 is the 'Year of the Insight'. I will be replacing the battery pack and the taillight. She'll get her bath. Also, I WILL get my lmpg back up (my current tank is ~64mpg, my best was ~98mpg). If (when) I have a 'new' battery, is there a benefit to having one of these grid chargers, or would it be better to 'leave well enough alone'? I haven't decided on whether I will use ReVolt (don't know the address but Surprise is ~5-10miles from me) or go with the BetterBattery from HBR. Could my decision on that make a difference? Maybe I should put this in it's own post?


Oh well... the 'Submit' button is just too tempting at the moment.

My best tank was actually closer to 94mpg(I HAD to check).

I can make the codes happen on command now, so if anyone wants them, let me know.

I might get a grid charger, but wonder if it would be useful with a 'new' battery.

Does anyone have experience with both ReVolt AND HBR? If so, I'd love a comparison of service and battery performance levels. Is the BetterBattery worth ~2X the price?!?(no offense meant HBR)

Would anyone in the local area be willing to help me with the install of the battery pack or grid charger? (This one goes out to GilbertGuy or Varak, any others?) I could spring for a few beers...

[Eli]

P1449 with the occasional P1447 would be my guess.

I'm going to sound like a broken record, but everyone should have a grid charger. Yes, it is useful with a new battery. If your battery is already deteriorated, it's too late. You can keep it on life support with the grid charger, but that's all you can hope for. It's theorized, but not yet known for sure since it hasn't been enough time, that regular grid charges(1mo, 2mo, 4mo, 6mo?) will go a long way towards extending and maintaining the life and health of the battery.

I don't think much is known about Hybrid Re-Volt, unfortunately.. but since they're so close to you, it's kinda a no brainer if you go that route. The added shipping expense from HBR probably isn't worth it, assuming both can do an equal job of rebuilding your pack.

The BetterBattery.. Well, only you can really decide if it's "worth it" or not. From a pure monetary standpoint, I believe that it is. $1000 for a used, but balanced feeble Honda battery, or $2000 for a brand new, higher capacity, more robust battery pack is a no brainer. That said, $1000 is a lot easier for some people to swallow than $2000, so I suppose it depends on whether it's an option in the first place. The BetterBattery has only been around for less than a year, but based on it's specs and behavior, we are hoping that it significantly outlasts the Honda pack. Only time will tell.

[azaviator]

I think you're right about the codes, the ones you mention sound familiar.

My real question (shoulda asked it like this in the first place) was: Should I go with the BetterBattery or ReVolts rebuild?

I see that Revolt will rebuild my battery for cheaper, but I will be out a car for a couple of weeks(I'm not a fan of driving without the battery installed... no FAS scares me!). For a little more they can rebuild another pack and I can make the swap in one day(maybe?) so little/no down time, plus more warranty(12 months on the first option, 18 months on the second). My third(best?) option is to get a BetterBattery from HBH: More power, longer lasting, NEW(ish), runs cooler (very important in AZ as I'm sure the heat is what killed my current pack), plus a 24 month warranty.

I'm not opposed to spending the $2000(don't tell the wife) if it is worth it. If: the rebuild will only last me 3-4 years(or less), dies just outside the warranty period or doesn't give me the same performance or better that I remember of my old battery VS; the BetterBattery lasting 6-8 years and gives me MORE performance and running cooler and all the other hype THEN; it IS worth it. But if it doesn't outlive the rebuild by atleast double, I'm not sure it will work for me.

I would LOVE to hear from anyone who has had a rebuild (preferably from ReVolt or HBH) that has failed. If so, how long did it last: months and miles, please?

It's late for me, so I will be turning in, but I am looking forward to the answers that may await me tomorrow...

Thanks All!

[azaviator]

Since no one has responded in a couple of days, I'll give it a little bump. Maybe the weekend viewers have some ideas...

[Calpod]

Before you consider a new battery get an OBDIiC&C, it will allow you to see exactly what's going on with the battery, second, get a grid charger (or at least a harness from Mike) then find someone in your area that has a grid charger, and Work with them to let you use their charger for a couple of times, this should help your battery and buy you more time.

Even if you get a new battery later you still need these 2 things so it would not be a loss.

[gilbertguy]

Wow, how did I miss this thread going around.

So here is my take on things since I had my battery rebuilt within the last year. My battery threw a code a year ago so I contacted Hybrid-Revolt and had him rebuild my battery. It ran great until July in the summer heat and threw another code, he rebuilt it again under warranty. Put in the second rebuilt battery in Aug and it was good but threw a code after a month, Matt had another battery that we put in and it has been running strong since it was put in.

Part of the reason I mention all this is for two reasons, anytime you use a "rebuilt" battery you are running the risk of early failure, especially since we live in AZ heat. Rush had his battery rebuilt at HBR and had similiar issues so it just insn't an issue with the builder. But unfortunenatly for Rush he has to deal with shipping his pack back and forth to NY where I just drive it over to Suprise, AZ. Also, all 3 times I've taken my pack over Matt had a loaner pack for me so I could keep driving my car no issues, actually I just pulled my covers off at home and drove my car over and within 10-15 minutes we took out the bad battery and installed the loaner. Once battery was rebuilt I'd drive over and we would repeat process and put good battery back in car.

If you can swing it I'd go for the Bettery Battery but like Eli said you'll still want to get a grid charger at some point to keep it healthy. I now have a good rebuilt pack and Mike's harness installed so I can keep it running good. When you decide what you want to do let me know and my garage is always open to help you either pull your pack for rebuild or install Mikes battery harness.

Sorry for the slow response.
Mark (gilbertguy)

[azaviator]

Tailight fixed (thanks Jeff!!), she's been washed, and replaced a couple of running-light bulbs in the front. Still have a few things I would like to do: repair scratch on dash(just another reminder of my old house...), my CARD switch needs to be replaced, rear hatch doesn't work without the key turned, the headlight assemblies are faded/yellowing and (may) need to be replaced. I'm certain there is more but can't think of them at the moment. At least she looks good and shouldn't be an outcast at the Phoenix Meet tomorrow.