Battery life & recals
Coyote wrote:
> Ok, next question...define recall? I'm assuming from the text that it means the
> battery simply won't work until it cools down, and you're stuck on the small engine
> to run air conditioning and the car until they cool down enough to kick in?
> If so, what's the procedure? I'm still very interested in getting this car
> (I used to have a CRX HF, miss it terribly), but I want to know what I'm getting
> into, since I live in Houston...not quite as hot as Arizona, with average summer
> temp of 95F (although it can sometimes get up to 116F or so), but with being
> closer to the equator, the sun tends to cook staionary objects abit more.
> (Granted, I have covered parking both where I live & where I work, but if I go
> to the movies some afternoon...etc....)
A recal, short for recalibrate occurs when the battery gauge becomes out of sync with the available charge in the IMA pack. Measuring the capacity of a battery pack is not like a liquid in a tank. You must calculate that amount of charge removed and added. There is an error factor in such a system. The packs capacity will deteriorate with time an vary somewhat by temperature. At a certain point the voltage at rest and or under a known load is clearly out of spec for the calculated level of charge as shown on the dash. The pack must then be force fed until its voltage as stated previously falls into the known "full" range.
Then IMA pack's temperature must also be monitored because excess charging or discharging when its out of an optimal range causes rapid deterioration of the cells. Ni-MH packs frequently stored at higher temps deteriorate somewhat faster even at rest. The Insight's BCM (Battery Control Module) takes all these factors, and possible a few more into consideration when charging or discharging the pack.
As an old CRX HF owner myself I can whole heartedly recommend the Insight. The Battery pack will eventually be a cost, but with currently increasing oil prices the break-even point is shrinking.
The only major points of difference between the Insight and the HF is a harsher ride quality due to low rolling resistance tires and its lighter weight. And if you want the maximum obtainable MPG's as evidenced in these forums, a major change (for most people) in driving style.
John K. Bullock
Knoxville, TN
aka. Insightful Trekker