Hey everybody, I just joined up here, and I guess it was good timing...
I was poking around in my insight the other day, checking out how to install my new radio, and I left my overhead cabin lights on. The car sat for almost 2 days and has absolutely NO charge. I have some jumper cables, but I have been hearing that its "not safe" to jump the battery.
I haven't check the manual yet, but I was wondering if anybody here knew the answer. Is there anything I need to do that is different with a hybrid? Should I maybe just call Honda about it. Any info is appreciated. Thanks!
Your owners manual has instructions on how to jump start the car. I don't think there is anything different between the 1st generation and 2nd generation Insight, or really most any other car out there. The safety issues that exist are the same as jump starting any 12 volt negative-ground vehicle. The high voltage battery or motor do not require any interaction during this process.
Cool, thanks for the advice. Talked to a buddy of mine with a 2007 Civic Hybrid, which he has jump a few times, and it was just a normal jumpstart procedure. Guess it doesn't hurt to be safe.
The jump starter is going to be even weaker than your OEM battery because it is just a VRLA battery like those used in uninterruptable power supplies in computers. I actually carry both because I prefer to avoid making the connection directly to my car when I'm not sure if there is a serious short circuit or another electrical problem on their end. I'm not sure if there would be any issues with the DC-DC convertor in the Insight when jumping another car due to the high load of the starter and the dead battery in the other car too.
The car starter pack that I have says '800 peak amps' on it but when the actually battery inside fried, I pulled it out to replace it and when I looked up the specsheet on the actual halfU1 group size battery that was originally inside, it was rated to provide something like 255amps/10 second peak load, somewhere in the mid 200's at least. It is enough to start most engines as long as the battery you are jumping wasn't completely killed and usually engines don't really need the full cranking power that their owners manual or the original battery say that they need as it is.
Oh yeah, as long as the gas motor is on, you got endless amps. I just dont want to tax my invisible alternator like that for someone else. What if I let the magic smoke out that makes it work?
I was on another forum and someone was saying you could use 4 cr123 batteries and 15 minutes to jump start a dead 12 volt battery/car.
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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
If I read the manual correctly, you can use the hybrid battery to jumpstart the 12v battery. Need two sets of cables though. Input?
NO !!!! The manual describes using another 12 volt battery as the 'booster battery', not the high voltage battery pack. The high-voltage system does use a DC-to-DC converter to 'charge' the 12 volt battery, that is why there is no alternator.
Jim, I thought you were the guy who bought the complete volume of service manuals, why you need something like those jumper cables? Its not rocket surgery, just match the colors and get the heaviest cables you can get.
Considering how small our 12 volt batteries are, I think its best to use a jump starter thing.
Cant comment on the battery brain. I have a second battery for my stereo so no needs. I do however like the fog lamps for my 99 chevy metro
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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
I admit it, I'm a gadget nut I kind of like the idea of the surge/spike protection. The booster batter pack units are nice, but you still have to keep them charged and they take more space to store. At home I have a plug-in charger, but I'm looking for a smaller set of cables to take with me. My current set is getting old and is REALLY oversize for this car.
It was just the image of someone trying to jump their 12v battery off of the HV pack that got my attention. You know, battery pieces all over the scene, the fire trucks and ambulance......
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HELP! Jumpstart a 2010 Insight?
I thought you were the guy who bought the complete volume of service manuals, why you need something like those jumper cables? Its not rocket surgery, just match the colors and get the heaviest cables you can get. 
I kind of like the idea of the surge/spike protection. The booster batter pack units are nice, but you still have to keep them charged and they take more space to store. At home I have a plug-in charger, but I'm looking for a smaller set of cables to take with me. My current set is getting old and is REALLY oversize for this car.
