12 Volt Battery Problems

[keagan]

Can a Generation 1 Insight start from the battery pack when 12 volt battery is dead?

[biododge1]

not that i know of-the pack needs 12v to "turn on" the pack.

[talonmike]

no, 12v is needed by all ECM'S

[Willie Williford]

I believe the min. voltage to energize the system is around 10.8 Volts.
(What I've seen)


Willie

[eq1]

I recall reading something about how all you need is a small 12 volt power supply that you can plug into the lighter socket and which will power the 'computers' and enable you to start from the HV battery like normal. This ring any bells for anyone? Does it even make sense? Maybe there's some extra wiring finagling that needs to be done...

[jonnyvtec]

It just boosts the system voltage by inputting at the power socket like adding another battery in series. You'll hear the click if the contractors are closing for HV. 10.8v sounds right based on my experience with a weak battery.

[TopFuelTim]

Originally Posted by jonnyvtec

It just boosts the system voltage by inputting at the power socket like adding another battery in series. You'll hear the click if the contractors are closing for HV. 10.8v sounds right based on my experience with a weak battery.

This was my experience. Seems like all of a sudden, my car wouldn't start on the IMA (but it did spin the 12V starter). Checked voltage, and IIRC, it was 10.8V. Tried charging it back up to 12V, but it wouldn't hold the charge any more.

Tim