[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Hi Hybrid fans
I am happy to announce that I am a partner in a new venture. We will be giving a 3 day (long weekend) hybrid car class. It will be focused on the information individuals that run independent auto repair shops will need to feel confident with all aspects of Hybrid cars. We need the independents to begin servicing these important automobiles, so the dealerships do not have a monopoly.
Lots of hands on instruction in all aspects of the cars, Safety, HV systems,Batteries, Motors, Regenerative systems, troubleshooting, of hybrid drive, Diagnostic Scan tools, Lab scopes, and Cat3 DVMs are used to troubleshoot the cars.
We will be putting up a website very soon, the first class could be late January.
Limited to 20 students
Classes open to all.
Instructors are:
“G” Truglia
Kris Lewis
Swede
Hobbit
Mike Dabrowski
UDH 1 will be great fun and an in depth look at these amazing cars.
Information will be at http://www.attstraining.com/index.html
some time next week.

 

[kari]

I am so thrilled to read that you're doing this. I've had such a bear of a time educating dealerships about my insight... I've been to three in NJ and every single one of them has a hard time understanding that 1. honda makes an insight and 2. the insight is a hybrid. I ended up picking the dealership for service based purely on how willing they were to listen to me, because none of them have any expertise!

I would LOVE to take it to an independent mechanic. can't wait until you've educated a bunch!

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Thanks we hope to do as many seminars as we can fill up. Tell your favorite mechanics about UDH.

 

[Armin]

Congrats, Mike!

I'm glad you're helping to educate the needy masses of automotive technicians! Good luck with the new business and I hope the class sells out like the first Insights did!

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Thanks Armin we are optimistic. Now my task is to buy some totaled Hybrids to make more demo units. Anyone with an Insight, 2003 or newer Honda civic hybrid (CVT prefered), 2004 or newer Prius, Hylander hybrid, escape hybrid that is sitting in a heap in their back yard that they would like to sell to a good cause?
If we can find the right car, we will make a fully functioning driveable(not on the road) totally exposed wiring and components test car, that we can setup multiple testpoints on for full diagnostics. Should be lots of fun. Maybe an Insight IMA powered go cart, for laps around the parking lot.
8) :lol:

 

[Rick]

An Insight powered go-kart. Now that I would like to see/drive!

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Rick
I did not get to the Insight IMA powered go cart,(the Insight we bought was too good to hack the motor), but have assembled some nice demos for the first UDH.
I will keep my eyes peeled for an IMA motor, but may build an etek powered go cart for some parking lot wheelies until I find one. 8)
The go cart concept is to give the technicians a good seat of the pants feel for the instant torque that only an electric drive can produce, as well as a platform for some lab scope and current probe demonstrations. Of course the real reason is to have some fun while learning.

UDH#1 seminar went very well.
We asked the students for feedback rating on a 1 to 4 scale, with 4 being the best. All of the technicians gave us a 4, and were quite happy. I made some new friends, and have already started some prep for the next event which will likely be held near the end of Feb.
We had the good fortune to have Ron Ananian the Car Doctor attend the event on Saturday. He had a great time, and gave our seminar a review on his show on Sunday.
A podcast of the Jan 28 show is available for download at the WOR website.
http://www.wor710.com/pages/48729.php

Direct link:
http://podcast.wor710.com/wor/101021.mp3

I will be putting some photos from the event on my UDH blog at:
http://www.99mpg.com/workshops/understandingdiagn/
Later today.
The process of getting the independant mechanics and shops into the Hybrid maintenance business has began.

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Blog on the Blue Insight's transformation into an Insight on a stand.
http://www.99mpg.com/projectcars/BlueBird1/