- Honda Car Owner's Manual

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65
DC-DCCONVERTER
The Insight engine is not equipped with an
ACG (AC Generator or Alternator). Instead,
recharging of the 12V battery and powering of
the conventional 12V electrical system is
performedbyaDC-DCconverter locatedinthe
IPUcompartment.
Elimination of the conventional Alternator
reduces engine load, leading to better fuel
efficiency. Another advantage is that by
supplying power to the 12V electrical system
fromtheIMAbattery,electricalsystemvoltages
remain very constant, even under changing
electricalsystemloads.Evenduringidlestopand
restart, headlight brightness, wiper speed, etc.
remainconstant.
Power is supplied to the DC-DC converter
fromtheIMAMotor/GeneratorthoughtheMDM,orbytheNiMHBatteryModule.Thispowerhastobe
reducedto12VtochargetheInsight's12Vbatteryandtosupporttheconventional12Velectricalsystem.It
istheDC-DCconverterthatperformsthistask.Ittransforms144VDCasaninputsourceinto12VDC
outputpower.
The144VDirectCurrentsuppliedfromtheIMAMotororBatteryModuleisfirstconvertedintohigh
voltage Alternating Current, which is then stepped down by a transformer to lowvoltage AC before
beingconvertedbacktoDCforusebytheInsight's12Velectricalsystem.
TheDC-DCconverterisahighvoltagecomponent,andproducessubstantialheatduringoperation.To
ensurepropercoolingoftheDC-DCconverter,itismountedtoafinnedaluminumheatsinkfittedinsidea
magnesiumhousing.ThePGM-FIECMcontrolstheoutputoftheDC-DCconverteraccordingtopower
consumptionofthe12Velectricalsystem.
TheMCMmaystopDC-DCconverteroperationifcertainIMAmalfunctionsoccur,oriftheDC-DC
converter'stemperaturerisesabnormally.AnytimethattheDC-DCconverterisnotfunctioningnormally,
thechargeindicatorlampontheinstrumentpanelwillbeilluminated.
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