CalPod for HCH-I MT?

[lowandslow]

Oh I'm having fun with my new toy (my Calpod switch)!!!
Got my SoC all the way up (is that 20 bars?) for the first time, and avoiding forced regen seemed to help on my FE, but it will take more time (and my getting familiar) to know for sure. I'll try using in in 1st, 2nd and 3rd, but not in 4th or 5th as you suggested.

BTW I should make a correction to my earlier statement regarding the Neutral Position Switch (NPS). I got that backwards when I said "continuity in any gear." It is the other way around continuity means in neutral (and my jumper wire on the connector to that switch provided continuity simulating the trans in neutral). Sorry about that - just wanted to clear that up in case anybody tries the NPS route to freedom-of-forced-regen, and you-get-to-decide when assist comes in.

Can't wait to drive home...
LowAndSlow

[Mr. Pancake]

LowAndSlow, do you still find the switch helpful and, if so, any pictures/instructions so I could do the same to my car?

[lowandslow]

Mr Pancake,
Yes I find it helpful. I try to plan ahead and coast as much as possible up to lights and stop signs, etc. Therefore I don't use regen braking enough to replenish the IMA enough to offset the assist -happy nature of mine especially in town where a lot of starts and stops means a lot of assist even when I try to minimize it. I've been able to completely avoid any forced regen. It seemed to be improving my mileage maybe 1 or 2 mpg on the first half of this tank (the second half has some unusual driving conditions that reduced my mileage so it will take more time to determine the true effect). And the way I'm using it I think it might help the IMA pack last longer since I'm not getting-into-it as much as before. I can use it selectively where I can benefit the most but not many of the times it really isn't required.
I don't have any pics but I suggest searching for Delta's post on Calpod for dummies or something like that. He has some nice pictures and I did mine just like he did (except for not having MIMA to factor in) meaning I just inserted and taped wires into the clutch switch connector so no damage to wire harness and the clutch switch still works as it should whether my toggle is on or off. If you can't find his post, let me know and I will take some pics for you.
LowAndSlow

[Mr. Pancake]

Thanks, found the post. I might try it this weekend, looks simple enough. Here's the link in case any one else wants it: http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showt...ghlight=calpod

[Mr. Pancake]

Went to the auto parts store this morning and bought a switch. Pretty easy to install. I mounted the switch in one of the accesory blanks by the auxillary power plug. I bought a "racing" style switch with a plastic red cover that has to be flipped up before you can flip the actual switch, I find it amusing. I only took a little test drive to check out the new mod but I like it a lot and think it will be very useful. Acceleration isn't all that bad without assist, not fast by any means, but not as bad as I thought it might be.

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Excellent!! Success in both an '04 and an '03!!

[xcel]

Hi Lowandslow and Mr. Pancake:

___Excellent news!!! Now the fun is really going to begin

___Please post some pics when you have the time as it sounds like the Clutch switch mod is far easier to install in an HCH-I than it is in an Insight-I.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[jimepting]

Originally Posted by lowandslow

BTW I should make a correction to my earlier statement regarding the Neutral Position Switch (NPS). I got that backwards when I said "continuity in any gear." It is the other way around continuity means in neutral (and my jumper wire on the connector to that switch provided continuity simulating the trans in neutral). Sorry about that - just wanted to clear that up in case anybody tries the NPS route to freedom-of-forced-regen, and you-get-to-decide when assist comes in.

Can't wait to drive home...
LowAndSlow

I wonder if the NPS trick works on the late model Insight 1. Anyone tried that yet?

Also, anyone have a good explanation for why the CalPod doesn't work on these cars?

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Jim, it appears the programming was changed for '05 and up models. It would certainly be worth trying the NPS hack to see if it worked for your car -- if it did that would be a relatively cheap mechanism to accomplish assist free driving.