Winter Storage of my I2

**Touche'** · 12-05-2011, 10:46 AM

Has anyone stored an I2 for 4 or 5 months?

I have a smart charger and don't know if I need to lift the 12v battery leads. I plan on putting it on jack stands and then can possibly start and run it in gear to charge the 188v battery. Is that stupid or (pardon the pun) insightful? I don't know much about grid chargers, and have not gotten down into the battery compartment yet. I know driving it occasionally would be best, but I will be storing it in my detached garage which is not paved up to the door. We get a crap-load of snow up here so I don't want to count on being able to drive it.

I have a 4 wheel drive that I feel is a better winter driving option in spite of the crummy mpg. I prefer the sure-footed-ness of 4 beefy tires in snow.

The I1 Forum guys have much more experience, and posted threads, but I'm not sure if I can apply all their recommendations for my situation.

Any and all comments will be appreciated

**Hybrid-Battery-Repair** · 12-07-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Touche'

Has anyone stored an I2 for 4 or 5 months?

Cool! Insight-IIs are going to be coming in for repair soon!

Not driving a hybrid car is very bad for the hybrid battery. Please don't store it.

**Jayemtee** · 12-07-2011, 07:08 PM

While running it in gear will help move the drive train and keep it somewhat alive, that's not a good way to treat the battery.

Cobb · 12-07-2011, 08:06 PM

Just read the faqs for the g1 and ignore the part about pulling a fuse. Otherwise get a grid charger for the ima system and some fuel stabilizer.

Sent from my Autoguide iPod touch app

**Touche'** · 12-13-2011, 10:21 PM

OK I'll try what you suggest Cobb.

What's needed to connect the charger?

Can I buy a set of plugs already made up? Or will I need to make them?

Any links to where I can get one?

I haven't researched that yet. I'm trying to get a new family room finished. Next is cutting, staining, and polyurethaning red Oak for 11 windows and 2 doors...

So much to do - and dong it myself

**Hybrid-Battery-Repair** · 12-14-2011, 12:07 PM

Eventually grid chargers for I2's will exist, but for now you have to build it.

Your pack is seven 12-cell sticks, or 84 cells which is a nominal 100V, with a max charge of 117V and a terminal trickle charge of 122V.

In other words, build a charger with a 48V Meanwell power supply (LPC-20-350) and two 48V Heng-fu power supplies (HF15W-SPL-48 ) in series.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Touche'

OK I'll try what you suggest Cobb.

What's needed to connect the charger?

Can I buy a set of plugs already made up? Or will I need to make them?

Any links to where I can get one?

I haven't researched that yet. I'm trying to get a new family room finished. Next is cutting, staining, and polyurethaning red Oak for 11 windows and 2 doors...

So much to do - and dong it myself

**Touche'** · 12-24-2011, 01:22 PM

Maybe I'll Get some time to build one soon. It's looking like the lack of snow here will turn out to be a blessing for me and I'll still feel comfortable driving my I2. I've been doing all my driving in it so far, so no concerns as of yet anyway. I will just have to drive it when the roads are not snow covered if I'm just too busy to build that grid charger. Or maybe I can just order one from Mike out in CT. He seems to be the Go-To-Guy on them.

Living up here in the boondocks and driving on country and county roads 35 miles to work just has such a high degree of uncertainty due to the drifting and big-time winds... Thanks for the input and I appreciate your advice.

Merry Christmas to you All!