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Here's a little something to look at when one gets a bit bored this winter.

A few notes:
Date: 1/29/07 midnight commute.
The graph lines labeled OBD coolant and OBD intake air, as well as the engine load percent (last chart), are taken from the data saved from my OBD-II software. The other temp data is from an 8 channel thermocuple DAQ application that I have.
Trip began from a garage environment.
Block heater is on for 1 hour prior to departure.
Inbound commute trip to work 42 miles total distance.
Full radiator block in use.
Warm air intake in use, attached to the cat heat shield.
Air filter box wrapped (semi-insulated).
Cabin climate control usage limited. Very little cabin heat used. Normally leave the temp dial set to the lowest setting, off (=60F), until a greater amount of heat is need for more defrost. Then just bump it enough for some warmer coolant to come through, by clicking it a notch for a brief moment. This can be seen in the second chart , where the coolant temp drops sharply. Efforts are then made to keep the coolant temp steady. As a general rule the climate control is never adjusted above the first click, which on the Insight is 61F, unless it is needed to keep coolant temp in check (below 208F). This doesn't happen much in <30F ambient temps, while hypermiling the Insight.
Radiator fans unplugged, with dash mounted indicators to tell of ecm request for such fans. This request comes about after the coolant temps have been inside of 208F for more than a few seconds. The fan request goes off at 205F.

FE for the trip, 86.2 mpg.




Specific notes for chart 1. The thermocouple for the air filter box, is stuffed up inside a small weep hole in the bottom of the Insight air filter box. This is on the unfiltered side.


http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/Insight_3way_Cat_temp_0129071_5777_image001.jpg


Notes for chart 2. The behind the radiator probe, is located inside the main radiator fan shroud, up against the radiator. Shows the effect of the radiator block.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/Insight_3way_Cat_temp_0129071_6319_image001.jpg


Notes for chart 3: Basically my purpose for doing any of this is concern on the temps surrounding the cat. I am working on an enclosure (engine blanket if you will) mod, aimed at retaining some engine block heat. Probably not of any use to the normal person. Like I said, its something to look at.


http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/Insight_3way_Cat_temp_0129071_23386_image001.jpg


Notes for chart 4: Same chart as 3 with OBD engine load % imposed. Shows the areas of city driving (fas_ing, shifting, etc.), most interesting possibly toward the end of the trip. The load percent overlay worked out nicely, or so I thought, since the graphs were set to cross x/y axis at zero, and the load % is between zero/100. The upper o2 sensor on the Insight is very close to the engine block just down stream from the exhaust manifold, thus the higher temps compared to the other cat temps, which aren't all that much higher than ambient. The Insight engine bay is rather open.


http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/Insight_3way_Cat_temp_0129071_31380_image001.jpg


Randall

Hi Randall:

___That was a very interesting data set! I noticed the temp probe behind the radiator reporting > 120 degree temp after ~ 12 miles. I knew the way the Insight drew its outside air in behind the radiator was ideal and your graphs show what is possible after the bay itself has warmed up somewhat.

___If you still have your Insight wired, I would like to see another run with an average FE every 2 miles once warmed up and at speed w/ the WAI and without. I remember seeing lean burn for brief periods even down around 0 degrees F but never thought to record any numbers for an actual increase with vs. without. In other words, bring her up to speed and from mile 2, reset Trip B every 2 miles and record what you have received with and without the WAI installed.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Wayne,

How 'bout I use the segment FCD button instead of Trip B.:D Don't have to stick my hand through the steering wheel and page thru the menu.:eek: I know, you just forgot.

I will have this thing wired up for some time, so there are several iterations to plot.
With/without; Wai, radiator block, combo's of both, and factory equip. Should be able to get that done while the ambient is ~30F. Boring winter...loooooong....coooooold...boring winter.:Banane36:

Randall

Hi Randall:

___Oh yeah, that button :o

___ I look forward to the results of the Non-WAI vs. WAI results. I never left home without it as stated above knowing many others lost Lean-Burn down around 35 - 40 degrees F without but it would be great to see the results with your data set plotted along the same axis’.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Great data Randall
How do you keep from freezing with the heat at only 61F. I keep mine at 70-75, especially when the wife is in the car.
What kind of MPG hit do you get with cabin air at 68-70, compared to your 60-61.
It would seem that there must be a bit of extra heat that you could afford to redirect to the cabin. Brrrrrr;)

Advantge Randall.....wifee won't ride with me:D

Seriously though,

With the climate control set on 60F in the Insight there is no cabin temp regulation. But you already knew that. I will bump the temp control to 61 (one click) for about 3 seconds at a time, until I can get the ECT to hold up around 190-200F. It will usually drop the ECT down to 185F or so, on these 3 second bumps. Stir and repeat, until I can leave the cabin temp set at a minimum of 61F. If needed I can bump it up to regulate the ECT to maintain the 195/200F.

If I need defrost, even with the temp set at 60F, I just tap the defrost button, for a few seconds, (blower comes on with an attitude) and the job is done... tap off. Also, I find that the recirculate button helps things stay warmer, if you don't need the colder outside air to keep the fog off the inside of the windscreen.

As for myself, several things....

In these bitter cold temps, I switch to my trusty hunting coat. It is longer than the leather bomber jacket that I usually like to wear. Also much bigger to allow more layers of stuff underneath, although extra layers not neccesary in the cabin of a vehicle. Zip up, and pull up past the nose, and breath into the coat. Helps with the need for defrost. Tall collar on the coat helps. I wear a pulldown wool stocking cap. I have to wear steel toes at work. I prefer lace up boots for this. Here again excellent apparel for the winter. I have found some winter socks at Bass-Pro that are absolutely the best I have ever found. 80%wool/20%?. Lifetime warranty. Not cheap at all, but worth every penny IMHO. My feet DO NOT GET COLD.

Again, the Insight is garaged at home. Starts out on this end with nothing on the windshield and the block heater has been on, as well as the IMA battery heater.

At the work end, I remove ALL traces of frozen stuff, from ALL window glass before moving the vehicle. Need less defrost if any, allowing the ECT to warm up quicker.

As for the mileage hit with the climate control set at something greater than 61F....

As the ECT stabilizes, the climate control is burped briefly until it (climate control) can be left at 61F or greater. When wrapped up as mentioned above, I am quite comfortable with the control set at 61F. Sometimes on the return trip home after the ambient temps have warmed up a bit; I can, (need to/have to) crank up the cabin temps. However, when I do this, I have to start removing gloves, cap, unzipping coat, etc. Thus there is no hit to the mileage, because by now the coolant temp can be held steady.

The hard part will be when things warm up in the spring, and there is some nasty humidity in the air.:Banane36:

Randall