Re-Involt has a Li battery replacement for the Civic Hybrid that will be available in March of 2011. It comes with its own battery management computer and is supposed to last 3X longer than the Honda NiMH battery. Does anyone have any opinions on this? Has the Li battery been tested in the real-world?
Depends on the chemistry of the battery being used. The auto manufacturers (GM, Ford, Hyundai, and Nissan) believe in LiMn. Most EV enthusiasts believe in LiFePO4. Tesla is sticking with LiCo until Panasonic is ready with their new cells with Ni in them for added energy density.
Has the Re-Involt's Lithium battery been tested in the real world? Not sure, do you know what they are using? I'm not seeing any info on their site.
i would be interested to know if they would also be offering this for the insight, since it's batteries are the same, and the IMA system is very similar to the 1st gen civic hybrids.
__________________
2002 Silver MT 225k miles LMPG - 60.8
Best Tank Distance = 722 miles @ 74.2
I called Re-Involt and talked to the owner David. He said that the NiMH battery is rated for 900 cycles, whereas the Li is 3000 and that the Li battery should outlast the vehicle. The battery is managed and balanced on the individual cell level, which, from what I have read, is an improvement over the Honda BCM which does not manage the battery on the individual cell level. The battery is rebuildable, and individual cells can be replaced and will be readily available as new. He said that if a better Li battery became available in the future, that the circuit board is flashable and new software can be installed if you wanted to upgrade just the battery. I did not ask what the Li battery chemistry is, but it may be possible to find out by calling David. He is knowledgable, and I think this battery is the solution to the battery problems in these vehicles. I think he has experience with these batteries because I read that he developed a plug-in Prius that won an award for best fuel efficiency at an auto show. In terms of whether this battery would work in the Insight, it should, but it would probably need software developed specifically for that vehicle.
That's laughable. We'd have batteries lasting two years. Even regular NiMH cells can be charged/discharged 2,000 times.
And the idea that 3,000 cycles would last the life of the car is also laughable.
I always welcome new battery solutions for the IMA system though.
__________________
Insight #1 - Silver '01 5MT @ 158,388 as of 7/11 - Best Tank: 84.5MPG over 807mi
Insight #2 - Silver '01 5MT @ 450,000 as of 1/12 - Best Tank: 86.0MPG over 800mi
Insight #3 - Silver '00 5MT, MIMA #163P, BCM Gauge, OBDIIC&C Gauge, BetterBattery @ 228,869 as of 1/12 - Best Tank: 78.4mpg over 687mi
Yupper, the cycles depend on the DOD. I have a PHEV kit with real force batteries and they are rated for 6 years. I guess the pouch packaging is only good for so long?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hybrid-Battery-Repair
Those are 100% DOD cycles. Insights only go 60% DOD so they last much longer.
__________________
Enginer 4 kilowatt PHEV, 3000k 35 watt fogs, Eco bulb highs, 4300k 35 watt low all w/relay kits, DRLs/Rear Wiper removed&rear interior gutted, Sony HU W/front speakers, Tanabe nf springs, 35% tint all around, all LED lamp replacement, 09 fit progress rear sway bar, OEM block heater, full gril block, KN Filter, Honda vent visiors, group 51 battery, home made balancer/grid charger Best/Worse MPG 96/36
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Re-Involt Battery
