Over-charging battery problems!

[chazdawg35]

Hey Dudes and Dudettes, recently the owner of the shop where I work is sending me and guy's to Hybrid training classes. One thing that shocked me was when the instructor said that Honda is having problems with the batteries over-charging and failing. He said that the best rate on the charge meter is HALF! So with that being said I tryed to keep the charge meter at half. Near impossible even with keeping the clutch pedal down going into stops. Well has anyone had or heard of this problem? If the battery does fail in the warranty period will they have an upgrade to replace it?

[JCRZ]

Sounds like a loud of crock to me. Those batteries are at 50% capacity in case issues like this arise.

[Scotty001]

^ Yea the IMA system has been around for years..

^^ I'd call him on it and ask for specifics..

[chazdawg35]

I will e-mail him to get the down low.

[Scotty001]

^ Cool

[Tbot]

Originally Posted by Scotty001

^ Cool

Sits with Capt Jack

[holeydonut]

If I remember correctly, the battery packs in the Prius, Volt, Insight, CR-Z, etc operate in the 60% zone between fully empty and fully charged. This is to prevent the issues that the tech was lauding as a "hybrid fear."

With the GM Volt, basically when your meter reads a 100% "fully charged" battery, it's actually stored potential energy is roughly 80% capacity for the batteries physical properties. And when you read 0% battery state, it's actually at 30% of energy remaining.

This prevents excessive wear of the battery at the extremes and also prevents over-charging.

No hybrid program worth a damn would ever allow a battery to over-charge. It'd be like a ICE engine developer forgetting to put a rev-limiter on an engine.

[chazdawg35]

I e-mailed the instructor last night still no response, I was thinking the same thing holeydonut.

[chazdawg35]

OK everybody I just got the e-mail. Please voice your opinions. Hello Charlie,



The braking system on your Honda can overcharge the HV batteryand over time a high SOC will reduce the lifespan of your battery. Driving insuch a way as to keep the HV gauge in the middle is recommended by us.



I will add you to our E mail list for our hybrid newsletter ifthat is OK.



Hope this helps,

[Scotty001]

^ Guess I am Screwed.. I'm usually consistently at 80-100% on the Daily Driver routine.. Take it down to 50% when taking a infrequent road trip and/or playing on the 101 twisties and paddle shifters..

But, think it is relative.. If you plan on keeping your 2011 CR-Z for the next 10 years - then maybe this is a concern.. I wouldn't worry about it too much.. Just drive and have fun - the Honda IMA is a proven tech...