FCD Mod?

[minako]

As I drive back and forth to work every day, I got to thinking... wouldn't it be nice if you could have a FCD Cruise Control? It could be used to help the driver stay within a certain FCD range (rather than mph range), but probably wouldn't activitate until you get over a certain speed (say, 40 mph).

Or maybe I'm just too obsessive about FCD because I'm constantly looking between the road, my mph, and the FCD gauge.

My guess is something like that would be pretty difficult to engineer, right?

[Insightful Trekker]

Not quite sure what your asking here.

Anything to "help" maintain a certian MPG (FCD, Fuel Consumption Display) requires energy, and a lot of it.

MIMA is all that is currently available. Or more simply raise your right foot when the FCD begins to complain. When it complains loudly you'll have to get out and push too

[b1shmu63]

It would only be difficult because it would require more than a knee jerk reaction to gas mileage for it to be of practical value.

It has been suggested that a combination of Mima and a cruise control could achieve the result that you desire, that is to automatically maximise fuel economy while cruising without the need for constant intervention. The Mima approach would keep the throttle at a set MPG range in lean burn while using electric boost or braking to keep the speed relatively constant.The concept works but rapidly depletes the IMA pack as the charge discharge cycle is relatively inefficient.

Some hypermilers use a cable or Velcro style throttle lock. This works on relatively flat surfaces due to the non linear force of air resistance. A nice touch would be to have an electric release mechanism which would be activated by the brake light switch. Meanwhile try wedging your foot against the floor to keep the throttle in a fixed position.

Ultimately a computer linked to a GPS and wind speed indicator with advanced learning capabilities could work. Until then the human brain must suffice.

[nemystic]

After reading a 2005 information page I wrote about the MIMA modification, a work colleague who is an expert in robotics motion control suggested that the best implementation of this technology should be an MPG “set point”.

While the laws of physics would indicate a limit that will vary with terrain and battery pack condition, I’d suggest that the concept of an FE “cruise control” built on the existing MIMA technology is not beyond reach for the Honda Insight. However, energy storage capacity in our lightweight vehicles clearly remains the limiting factor.

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Pima with the Map signal, is effectively a MPG setpoint, as Kip points out.
Since MIMA can not (yet) control the throttle, the driver still needs to stay in the control loop,.
MIMA and a good throttle based standard cruise control, allow both speed and MPG to be set. A la the Rick Reese system.
As Nemystic points out, the small capacity battery is the major limiting factor with that system. If we can get 20 AH of capacity in the car, that would change.