plug in MIMA and PHEV combo

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Time for an update on the plug in MIMA system.
There are 3 of the connectors that I still cannot find, but are available if I am willing to buy the minimum quantities. My decision to purchase them will have a lot to do with the number of systems that I will be able to sell once the harness is ready.

A new and very exciting development is the very real possibility that a boost converter and plug in battery pack will be ready soon. I am working with the boost converter designer, to tune the specs for the Insight. The same boost/extra battery system could easily apply to the HCH2 with the ev mode., and to the Prius. The lack of a MIMA system for the HCH would mean that you would not have the full control that MIMA brings, but should in theory allow extended EV operation as the plug in Prius .
The inverter can run from ~36V to 150V input, and should be able to output ~10KW, so there would be no upper speed limit to the 100 MPG electric priority use of the system in an Insight with MIMA. My present boost converter can only charge the pack at 16.5A (2.5KW), so at speeds much over 65 mph, I tend to use the charge faster than it can be replaced. This inverter can feed 10KW or 4 times the power to the pack, and can run the electric motor off the boost pack/converter with the stock pack acting only as a charge integrator.
The MIMA computer will be able to control the boost system, to use only as much power as necessary. The higher the voltage on the input, the less current draw for the boost converter allowing the use of nearly any type of battery pack chemistry and voltage. We are hoping to be running a prototype early next year.

[tbaleno]

It would be great if you had something ready for hybridfest. I'd love to see you guys display something there.

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Stranger things have happened.

[Fenrir]

Mike,

Has anybody told you lately that you absolutely rock?

You deserve a banana.

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

thanks i think

[highwater]

You know to put me on the list, right?

And then plug in......and then stand alone generation........monster batteries.

Well, that's about it for this year Santa

Randall

[HAFNHAF]

i want one!!!

[Lotusbleu]

Hi guys,

usually i juste read messages in here and I don't post, but now I am confused ... I thought as in a e-mail exchange with mike that the insight using mima would never be able to be use like a phev.

Now unless i'm dreaming I understand that it is indeed possible?

If so mike i want one for sure.

Thanks!

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

It is a bit confusing.
Most people equate PHEV with the Pruis, which has a pure electric (stealth) mode below 40 MPH, and when coupled with the EV switch and a booster battery, can run for 20-40 miles depending on the size of the booster pack as an electric car.

The IMA system in the Insight, needs the gas engine to be running, when the IMA is in operation. On a typical New England rolling hills highway, at say 65MPH an Insight without MIMA would average say between 65-75 MPG.
On the flat areas, one can maintain 65MPH, and be at 90-110 MPG, but when a hill presents it self, and you do not want to loose speed, you are forced to step down on the gas to get assist in order to maintain your speed. Depending on the size of the hill, you may need to drop your MPG down to 35 MPG during the hill climb to maintain your speed.
Thus the average MPG will drop.
With MIMA/PIMA, you can easily make the hill while maintaining over 100MPG, by activating assist either manually(MIMA), or automatically(PIMA).
AS you go down the hill on the other side, you can recover some of the lost battery charge, but if you do that too aggressively,(MIMA can give full regen at will) you will actually loose speed going down hill. So the experienced MIMA driver may use MIMA to get his batteries charged up when engine load is low, and will use every opportunity to recharge without loosing momentum in the process, and then only use as much assist as necessary to keep the MPG at the target. You are the SOC controller with MIMA.

This is all without the booster batteries. The booster batteries in the Insight, are a way to keep the stock battery pack charged, without the need to constantly be looking for a way to recharge from the gas engine or momentum. It is like using a notebook computer while it is plugged in, it will not run out of charge, as you are constantly replenishing the charge from the AC adapter, while the computer is using the power.
The present booster pack in my Insight produces a 16.5A constant charge for my batteries. As long as I am careful not to use assist any more than necessary, and still use regen when possible without an MPG hit, I can maintain a 50% charge on my IMA batteries, and maintain over 100 MPG @ 60 MPH for as long as my booster battery has enough charge to keep the 16.5 A charge going. At constant boost, that is about 45 minutes with my heavy low capacity lead acid.
The new Booster system will have 60A of constant current available, so it will be able to keep the battery charged even with 4 times the assist use.
Assist can be used much more aggressively, and the booster will keep the pack charged, so the 100 MPG target can be maintained at 70-80 MPH, possibily higher, as long as charge remains in the boost system. The type and capacity of the batteries would need to be chosen based on ones typical commute, and also if you can recharge at work.
If you can travel at slower speeds, the boost run time would be extended.
The HCH2, with active cylinder shutdown may be able to use the booster system without MIMA, as it has a stealth mode like the Prius.
Lots of possibilities, Can't wait to give it a try.
Mike

[Lotusbleu]

Cool, that is what I have been waiting for. I want one