This year's Tour de Sol, which is a Sustainable Energy & Transportation Festival, includes a rally event with a $5,000 prize for the most fuel efficient participating hybrid vehicle that can achieve >100 mpg over a 500 mile distance. The confirmation for a vehicle that may be eligible for this prize would be a 15 mile test run.
As a participant, I have no chance at the prize, traveling only approximately 150 miles in predicted much cooler temperatures with a headwind. There are a number of long and steep climbs through the Berkshire mountains of MA, including a 10 mile long climb. The MIMA modification without significant additional battery storage can't sustain the high fuel efficiencly power required for that climb.
Having the second known Insight with the operational MIMA (Manual Integrated Motor Assist) modification, I took advantage of today's unseasonably warm weather test my own estimates as to how much this modification could potentially improve fuel economy.
The test run was completed at or above the posted speed limits on a familiar round trip, approximately 15 miles to and from a location in southern NH. The terrain is moderately hilly, requiring occasional downshifts, and there were several stops, including one at a merge on a steep uphill grade.
The MIMA was used occasionally, and in this case, more often than in my preferred driving style.
The MIMA_L (prototype development) circuit is apparently sensitive to temperature, and today, it wasn't tuned for optimal performance. Consequently, the maximum assist available was approximately 50 amps. The properly adjusted MIMA_L, and presumably, the MIMA_C (currently in development) can provide up to 100 amps of assist to the electric motor.
The result exceeded my expectation!
http://photos10.flickr.com/13485619_b8e30da010_d.jpg
For the record, other measurements include:
- Outdoor ambient temperature: 84 deg. F
- Battery pack temperature: 86 deg. F (at conclusion)
- Intake manifold air temperature range: 96 deg. F to 109 deg. F
- Tire pressue: approximately 50 psi
- Indicated battery pack SoC at outset: 75%
- Indicated battery pack SoC at conclusion: 50%
This was a test run, without a passenger, on a warm day. The real test of the MIMA modification's effectiveness will be on the daily commute with school buses, highway gridlocked traffic, and longer hills. Stay tuned, I'll be posting more data in a week or two.
As a participant, I have no chance at the prize, traveling only approximately 150 miles in predicted much cooler temperatures with a headwind. There are a number of long and steep climbs through the Berkshire mountains of MA, including a 10 mile long climb. The MIMA modification without significant additional battery storage can't sustain the high fuel efficiencly power required for that climb.
Having the second known Insight with the operational MIMA (Manual Integrated Motor Assist) modification, I took advantage of today's unseasonably warm weather test my own estimates as to how much this modification could potentially improve fuel economy.
The test run was completed at or above the posted speed limits on a familiar round trip, approximately 15 miles to and from a location in southern NH. The terrain is moderately hilly, requiring occasional downshifts, and there were several stops, including one at a merge on a steep uphill grade.
The MIMA was used occasionally, and in this case, more often than in my preferred driving style.
The MIMA_L (prototype development) circuit is apparently sensitive to temperature, and today, it wasn't tuned for optimal performance. Consequently, the maximum assist available was approximately 50 amps. The properly adjusted MIMA_L, and presumably, the MIMA_C (currently in development) can provide up to 100 amps of assist to the electric motor.
The result exceeded my expectation!
http://photos10.flickr.com/13485619_b8e30da010_d.jpg
For the record, other measurements include:
- Outdoor ambient temperature: 84 deg. F
- Battery pack temperature: 86 deg. F (at conclusion)
- Intake manifold air temperature range: 96 deg. F to 109 deg. F
- Tire pressue: approximately 50 psi
- Indicated battery pack SoC at outset: 75%
- Indicated battery pack SoC at conclusion: 50%
This was a test run, without a passenger, on a warm day. The real test of the MIMA modification's effectiveness will be on the daily commute with school buses, highway gridlocked traffic, and longer hills. Stay tuned, I'll be posting more data in a week or two.
