Odd Battery Condition Issues post Dabrowski grid charge

bryankwalton · 12-23-2011, 03:00 PM

I've got a 2000 manual Insight with one of Mike Dabrowski's maintenance grid chargers that I installed a few weeks ago. I'm having an odd behavior on the SOC, which I think may be related to battery imbalance. First, a couple things to point out, I've not had any IMA codes. Also, two weeks ago, I did my first charge and last weekend, I did a full soak charge.

On Monday, I drove the 35 miles to work and it recalibrated, as expected. The rest of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and yesterday morning, it seemed to be acting very normal and healthy. I seemed to have the full range of the battery. It would force charge below a certain point (perhaps 50% with the lights on) and it would also background charge, if needed, to about 65% or so.

However, last night, I started seeing the following symptoms: with my headlights on, after heavy assist -- my SOC is dropping down to 50% or perhaps even less and yet I am not get forced charging, OR background charging. The drop in my SOC is not what I find odd. That seems to be correctly reflecting my use of assist. What is odd is that the SOC seems to stay around 30 to 50% (whereever it happens to end after my use of assist) unless I start braking. With regen it will climb some. But it doesn't get to 17 or 18 bars unless something finally triggers forced charging, and it eventually ends up with 17 or 18 bars. At this moment, I have just returned from my lunch break. I pulled into the parking lot at work, and the SOC is showing 4 bars, yet was not force charging (even though I had my headlights on).

I've not had a recal since Monday morning, following my soak charge. But it seems like I'm still suffering from cells being out of balance. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Bryan

Eli · 12-23-2011, 03:14 PM

The only indication the SoC gauge gives you that your pack is out of balance are positive and negative recals.

The SoC gauge is kinda worthless and confusing. In Insight #2 the other day, the gauge was "stuck" at 4 bars, even though actual BCM SoC continued to rise. As soon as I hit 72% BCM SoC, the gauge shot up to the top. I had never seen that before.

Other than positive and negative recalibrations, take the SoC gauge with a grain of salt. You may want to look into the OBDIIC&C Gauge. With devices like this, the IMA portion of the instrument cluster becomes just some pretty lights. Knowing actual numbers is very empowering.

The SoC gauge is like the Assist/Regen gauges. They don't mean much, and can be very misleading.

bryankwalton · 12-23-2011, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eli

You may want to look into the OBDIIC&C Gauge.

Thanks for the reply Eli. I am under the impression, perhaps incorrectly, that the OBDIIC&C Gauge is sold out for those of us here in the states. Is that correct? I got that impression from Peter's signature line. Or do you still have some available?

Thanks,
Bryan

retepsnikrep · 12-23-2011, 04:09 PM

I've just sent Eli another 5 so there are 3 left unallocated for US/Canada at present.
Once those three are gone that will be it until I reorder some pcbs, which may not happen until I can get it working on the HCH1 as well

bryankwalton · 12-23-2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retepsnikrep

I've just sent Eli another 5 so there are 3 left unallocated for US/Canada at present.

Peter, forgive my ignorance, but is unit of measurement the only difference between the US and European gauges (metric vs. imperial)?

thanks,
Bryan

Eli · 12-23-2011, 06:00 PM

There are no differences, you can select C or F in the config.

bryankwalton · 12-23-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eli

There are no differences, you can select C or F in the config.

OK, thanks. You have a PM regarding the gauge, Eli.

Also, my original post in this thread topic was apparently posted too soon. On the drive home tonight, I had a recal. So, it appears that maybe my one soak charge didn't bring all the cells into balance. Perhaps it will take several soak charges? I'll talk with Mike.

Thanks,
Bryan

diamondlarry · 12-23-2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retepsnikrep

I've just sent Eli another 5 so there are 3 left unallocated for US/Canada at present.
Once those three are gone that will be it until I reorder some pcbs, which may not happen until I can get it working on the HCH1 as well

Peter, would we send the money for a gauge to you or Eli?

gilbertguy · 12-23-2011, 06:59 PM

I need to get signed up to get one of the OBDIIC&C PCB boards also.

Eli · 12-23-2011, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryankwalton

OK, thanks. You have a PM regarding the gauge, Eli.

Also, my original post in this thread topic was apparently posted too soon. On the drive home tonight, I had a recal. So, it appears that maybe my one soak charge didn't bring all the cells into balance. Perhaps it will take several soak charges? I'll talk with Mike.

Thanks,
Bryan

It's all very complicated.. So many packs in so many differing conditions with differing modes of failure.. It's hard to cover all of the concepts in one post..

To be clear, if your pack is weak, grid charging won't eliminate recalibrations and suddenly enable you to drain it from full to empty without a problem. It will help regain some capacity though, and lower the recalibration point.. enabling you to get the most out of what life is left in your pack.

It's likely that your extended soak charge did top off all of the cells. It will be an on-going process to try and make them stronger, it doesn't happen with just one charge cycle.