[jnewell]

So it seems as if the most simple way to add an additional set of batteries to the insight/ima would be to get a second factory battery and then setup high current relays. Wire this to an a/b switch on the dash and your done. I am guesiing that the system would not goof out too much when making the switch in terms of self correcting for the new battery's SOC.

The second battery (or possibly both) would also be charable via a set of charging relays that would disconnect the batteries from the IMA physically, and charge from grid. Thus you could 'lead-finger' around for a while then switch back to your primary.

Now, who has $2500 bucks laying around to try it?

Peace
-Jon

_____________________________________
2001 Honda Insight CVT (best segment 76.1MPG / 53 miles)
2005 Toyota Sienna (20.2 LMPG)
1968 Mercedes Benz 404s Swiss Army 4x4 (16MPG leaded only!)

 

[Dougie]

But if I run down the A battery, and then switch to the B battery, the SOC calculator won't know and will still thing the battery is run down.

Maybe you could fake out the SOC calculator by making it only see half of the charge/discharge current...

 

[Armin]

Besides, there are a few dozen wires going to the battery pack to measure sub-module voltages, currents, various temperatures, etc. Do you want to switch all of those, too?

 

[clett]

It is certainly do-able (and has been done) on the Prius.

The Toyota system turned out to be quite tolerant of funny things going on in the end. At least three different groups have tried this with different approaches each time (each working), though of course no idea if the Insight would be as easy (though it does share more-or-less the same battery layout as the original '97 Prius).