Gen 1 Insight to HCH?

[Hybrid-Battery-Repair]

Originally Posted by samwichse

Any ideas WHY the HCH is harder on its batteries?

I do notice I have to baby mine a bit more to keep it from using up the battery, and that if I'm sitting at idle stop/go for a long time in the rain, the headlights/all 12v systems seem to draw down the HV battery (I've seen it fall two notches just sitting a long time in a traffic snarl).

Heavier car, EV mode, electric AC.

And, more cells in the battery make it less likely to stay in balance.

[BrianZ54]

Originally Posted by timny1984

Buffalo area you say? I grew up in Amherst and now i'm out in Rochester commuting to Clarence for work (moving back asap!) Yep no Lean Burn on the gen II sadly. I can't really say anything about the gen II as i have not actually driven or rode or even sat in one. I would guess they are pretty nice.
Tim

I actually lived in Amherst once but so far west our mailing address was N. Tonawanda, forgot about that. Golf league was on the Newstead-Clarence line. Worked in Amherst near Sweet Home / N. French. There was a bar called the French Quarter, we drank with the Perrault, Robert, Martin and Korab over there several times. It was like the French Connection + 260 lb bodyguard. Wish I could remember more, but that was another life. I got transferred 7 years ago but it still feels like I lived there last month. Enough old, local memories that most of these poor folks can't relate to.

Back to the HCH thread, didn't have a chance to check this out today, until now but so much good information from everyone that responded. I appreciate all the input and got way more than I had expected. Thanks very much, all!

Looks like I'll probably go with a Gen 1 if at all possible. A 2004 or 2005 should be fine. Lower price should allow me to set aside a couple grand and go to a BetterBattery when the time comes. I'll certainly keep the Gen 1 Insight through the winter.
Brian

[flyer351]

Originally Posted by samwichse

Pro tip: the brake switch is easily adjustable, all you have to do is turn the collar. Mine came from the factory not regening until the physical brakes were actually starting to contact, but I adjusted the contact point out so that just the tiniest touch starts full regen like in the Insight.

I think I found the collar you're referring to. Did you give it just a 1/2 turn? There doesn't appear to be much room for adjustment before the regen would stay on consistently without brake application. Thanks,
Jeramie

[samwichse]

I actually turned my 1 1/2 turns... stock it was pretty deep.

Easiest way to do is just back up to a wall and look in the rear view mirror for when the brake lights turn on. Adjust it 1/2 turn at a time till just a tiny, light touch causes them to come on.

Tell me how it works out for you

Sam

[flyer351]

Originally Posted by samwichse

I actually turned my 1 1/2 turns... stock it was pretty deep.

Easiest way to do is just back up to a wall and look in the rear view mirror for when the brake lights turn on. Adjust it 1/2 turn at a time till just a tiny, light touch causes them to come on.

Tell me how it works out for you

Sam

Sam, I didn't find any discernible difference. In fact, if adjusted too far out the IMA stopped properly regenerating and auto-stop was disabled. This is a HCH-II so that could be the difference in experience. It's now back to the original position. Attached is the switch I was adjusting to make sure we're talking about the same thing.
Jeramie

[samwichse]

Yup, that's it. If the IMA stopped working, it was because (as you noticed) you went too far. Again, you just want to adjust it so a very light pedal touch (only a couple mm) will turn on the brake lights. The easiest way to do this is what I said above. Back up to a wall or something else you can see your reflected brake lights, and depress the pedal until they come on. If it's more than just barely touching the pedal, adjust outward, if they're always on, adjust in.

Sam