Ok Mike I think your electronics genius is showing a bit :!: 
The insulate the _whole_ car concept has several faults.
Its the engine you'd want to keep at temp. The heat will normalize throughout the entire car with this approach according to the thermal mass of each component part. The IMA batteries being one component that would _not_ be desirable to heat beyond a minimal amount.
Ignoring the above simply do the cost / benefit calculations _including_ the losses based on R values (thermal conductance) IMO not much savings there.
The Prius's system keeps the heat where its most desired, in the cooling system. I've thought of transferring this to an Insight (posted way back when). There's the thermos bottle, a 3 way valve and pump. Haven't priced them and what I'd reasonably expect these items to cost it wouldn't be cost effective either.
I did email a couple of recyclers but they didn't have a clue as to what I was asking for.
The insulate the _whole_ car concept has several faults.
Its the engine you'd want to keep at temp. The heat will normalize throughout the entire car with this approach according to the thermal mass of each component part. The IMA batteries being one component that would _not_ be desirable to heat beyond a minimal amount.
Ignoring the above simply do the cost / benefit calculations _including_ the losses based on R values (thermal conductance) IMO not much savings there.
The Prius's system keeps the heat where its most desired, in the cooling system. I've thought of transferring this to an Insight (posted way back when). There's the thermos bottle, a 3 way valve and pump. Haven't priced them and what I'd reasonably expect these items to cost it wouldn't be cost effective either.
I did email a couple of recyclers but they didn't have a clue as to what I was asking for.
