[benjamin]

As of 12/2/2007, we are re-opening MIMA discussion in this dedicated thread. Please refer to the last post in this thread for further details.

We ask that all participants follow the Forum Rules when posting at InsightCentral.net. In particular, any discussion on how to bypass the manufacturer's warranty is strictly prohibited. (Please read the rules!)

Thanks in advance for your cooperation!

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

MIMA discussions

I want to thank the Insight Central crew for their change of position on MIMA discussions.
A recent poll of MIMA drivers has tallied a total of 476K Miles with MIMA with with only 27 cars of the 56 MIMA owners reporting to date, and no evidence of any MIMA related problems.

I would say that the real world results are no longer speculation.

While having a dedicated thread for MIMA specific discussions is appreciated, I suspect that since MIMA can effect so many aspects of the car that many threads on other subjects like SOC management, battery equalization, MPG improvements will get the occasional MIMA drivers point of view, and hope that this will continue to be ok with the moderators?

Of course we will want to specifically respect the rule about not discussing any aspects of bypassing the manufacturer's warranty.

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

MIMA waiting list and MIMA video

The MIMA waiting list and list of owners will be keep up to date here.
http://www.99mpg.com/mima/people/
Once the waiting list has 10 people on it, I will build another batch. We now have three places where you can have a system installed if you do not feel up to the task, San Fransisco CA, Grand Rapids MI, and here in CT.

If you want to see what is involved in the install, see how to calibrate/operate the system, and see how the PIMA mode can bump the MPG to over 100MPG, feel free to just give me a call or e-mail, and I will send a copy of the video to you.

 

[atlaw4u]

I'm glad to hear MIMA is back on this forum. I am anticipating some great discussions.

 

[Waynetc]

If this post is not proper for this discussion - please delete it.

I will be installing MIMA in my 2000 Insight when the weather gets warmer, most likely it will happen in April. I'm in Northeast Ohio. If anyone wants to hang around, help out whatever, especially if you've done the mimafication already let me know. As far as I know, until Mike has the additional committments needed to create the next set of boards and components, this may be the last MIMA install for a while globally.

As for the warranty - my pack was replaced 10-06 with everything else. I no longer qualify for any warranty parts. In this case, with this car, I have no concern about warranty issues.

Also I'm looking into interesting ways to mount the joysticks that have not been done before - stay tuned.

cheers,
Wayne

 

[red1dr]

I have one joystick on the gearshift and one on the e-brake. I use the second when I want to avoid loading the gearshift. The first one is especially handy when I want to FAS as I shift into neutral. Mike persuaded me to use both, and I agree with him on this.

 

[Armin]

Also I'm looking into interesting ways to mount the joysticks that have not been done before

As a minimalist, I chose not to mount my joysticks at all. I have only one plugged in and it's hanging loose on the cable (resting over the center console when not in use. When in use I'm holding it in my right hand. The cable is long enough that I can still shift and steer a bit, when larger maneuvers are required I just drop it in my lap and pick it up again when things quiet down...

 

[Waynetc]

then I know you will really like my plan Armin...

 

[Rick Reece]

Mike,

Congratulations on the new batch of MIMA systems. With my travel lately I haven't put many miles on the Insight but hope to get back to it soon. Looks like I may shift to working in FL by 2010 in which case I would be back to a 1000 mile a week commute. Have fun, Rick

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Hi Rick,
Happy to hear that you are back and still driving your Insight, MIMA # 001

The total Miles with MIMA is 503K with 28 out of 56 cars reporting.
That is nearly 21 times around the earth.
I wonder if all the cars reported if we are over 1 million MIMA miles?

 

[IamIan]

Glad to see MIMA back.

I am expecting this thread to get long and have several separate issues being discussed.

 

[IamIan]

Just curious if other MIMA users ever / regularly use the EV-MIMA mode? And what the ranges / conditions are that they use it in? :?:

On a particular section of road during my commute to my companies new building I find it is useful as coasting or FASing will slow down... but a low speed 3rd or 4th gear and a little MIMA , about 1 or 1.5 red lights and I will maintain speed without additional gas. :lol:

To those who don't know about it: :idea:
when MIMA has the IMA give more assist... if the assist is large enough compared to the currently required load ( no matter what gear you are in ) the Insights stock fuel cut mode will engage and you will be in a PURE EV mode of operation... this is easiest to see on the metric display ... You can also tell you are in MIMA-EV mode if your foot is off the gas and your RPMs are around 2,000 or more... it is not all sunny though... since the ICE will continue to operate as an air pump you will waste some of your energy just pumping air.... and of course without an outside source of Electricity for a V-boost type of system the power needed to get into the MIMA-EV mode still all comes from gasoline consumption.

 

[joecvt]

I have used the MIMA "EV mode" when stuck in snow and the tires start to spin. I have a CVT so I don't have the option to start out like a manual in second gear to reduce some torque from the engine. There is alot of torque in the begining when starting out in a CVT...So I just leave my foot off the accelerator and use the MIMA pedal for assist only to slowly start the car moving then I'll use the acellerator a bit more. So I call this mode sort of a MIMA traction control

The only other time is when showing my friends what it can do in "EV mode" but it does bring the battery down quite a bit when doing that so I don't do it often.

JoeCVT - Just your average CVT owner

 

[gpsman1]

I am going to purchase an Insight very soon.
So I will probably want MIMA in the near future ( maybe be 9th or 10th on the wait list??? ).

To Mike the inventor... I am buying this car because I perceive it to be one of the simplest hybrid models to hack and modify. Would you agree with this assumption? Also, due to its aluminum shell and light weight, I feel down the road, it would be one of the best chassis for possible all EV conversion, do you agree?

Lastly, would you find MIMA to be an advantage down the road, if I wish to custom build my own battery pack?
Just curious, but it sounds very promising.

My other car is a FEH and I get about 54 MPG in city driving, in mild weather in that 4,000 pound "brick".
But the Fords look like much more work to "hack".

Thanks!
Hopefully I'll be in the club in a couple of weeks.
-John

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

yes it is the easiest to hack, it will make a nice running chassis for a full electric, and MIMA is likely the best way to take advantage of more electric capacity as a hybrid.

 

[IamIan]

I am going to purchase an Insight very soon.
So I will probably want MIMA in the near future ( maybe be 9th or 10th on the wait list??? ).

To Mike the inventor... I am buying this car because I perceive it to be one of the simplest hybrid models to hack and modify. Would you agree with this assumption? Also, due to its aluminum shell and light weight, I feel down the road, it would be one of the best chassis for possible all EV conversion, do you agree?

Lastly, would you find MIMA to be an advantage down the road, if I wish to custom build my own battery pack?
Just curious, but it sounds very promising.

My other car is a FEH and I get about 54 MPG in city driving, in mild weather in that 4,000 pound "brick".
But the Fords look like much more work to "hack".

Thanks!
Hopefully I'll be in the club in a couple of weeks.
-John

I won't speak for Mike or those who also worked on the development of MIMA But this is my 2 bits.

Of course any Hack or Mod risks voiding warranty and killing you or your car.

I think Insight is the easiest HEV to hack and for after market modifications... there are fewer of them so don't expect as much pre-made modifications as other HEVs might get.

I almost got a EV conversion of my pre-Insight car when it died... a 1990 Chevy Cavalier ... but in the end at the time what I could afford for the EV conversion would not have met my driving needs at the time... so I got the Insight instead... which I think is a great platform for conversion to EV... there are very very few cars you can buy that can beat the Insight for Low weight and aerodynamics...

My plan is more of a PHEV conversion.

MIMA was great because it gave me the control of the IMA motor that I wanted to have.

I have been planning and studying to do a small high voltage booster battery to make my Insight a PHEV... I live in an apartment right now so any battery I want to plug in I have to be able to remove from the car and carry into the apartment to charge up.... this greatly limits allot of my options... Lead Acid is way to heavy... NiMH is doable... I estimate the removable PHEV booster battery will weigh around 60 Pounds... Li-Ion would be about 3 to 4 times as much money as NiMH but would reduce that removable PHEV booster battery down to under 40 pounds...

I look forward to using my MIMA and the second battery to offset more of the gasoline I would have used to go the same distance.

After the PHEV booster battery is done I plan to continue to make more mods for my insight that will push it more and more into EV range and allow even more electric priority operation with the help of MIMA.

Even if I end up doing a full EV conversion I like my insight for the vehicle... I like the included 10kW IMA motor and the motor controller with regenerative braking ... the included DC-DC module.... lots and lots of nice stuff.

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

My waiting list requirement of 10 people has been reached. I am starting the reordering process.

People should continue to send in the forms, so I will be better able to decide how many to build. :doubt:

25-50- or 100? How many more Insights will want one?

How long before we are drawn to the Aptera and other cars of the near future, and we will abandon our Insights?
Tough decision.
I don't expect to ever build another batch of MIMA after this. :?:

 

[gpsman1]

Hi Mike.

I am picking up my Insight next weekend.
I'll need a few weeks to get used to it, and a few more paychecks, before I can buy MIMA.
However, you can count on me to buy one for sure, which will be around June of this year.

Is it true that I can reset the "lifetime" MPG meter myself? Or do I need to ask the dealer to do that before I drive it home? I would like to know my lifetime number, not the previous owner.

But yes, I will buy a MIMA, and a FAS if that is a separate component.
You can count on me. I've been dreaming of ( and tinkering with ) manual control of my Ford Escape Hybrid.
I'm so glad MIMA is available!
-John E.

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Just send in the forms to get on the list.
Yes you can reset the LMPG easily, it is in the owners manual.
Mike

 

[sk8sc]

Newbie. Hope I do it right
I was reading about MIMA some. I am still foggy on how it works. Can it be used on CVT? Can a person use the electric engine sooner?