Hey everyone, I’ve got a 2000 Honda Insight 5-speed manual that I bought with the hybrid system already non-functional in early May... The previous owner had an alternator installed as a workaround so the car could run without relying on the IMA system.

The problem is that the charging system clearly isn't keeping up, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to fix it.

What it's doing

The car will eventually get to the point where it can't maintain enough voltage, especially at idle/low RPM.

• I have to keep it above ~2,000 RPM as much as possible to keep the battery charged.
• If I'm sitting at idle with the lights/accessories on for too long, the battery starts getting low.
• Sometimes while driving, the head unit will shut off, and I have to downshift/raise the RPM.
• When I do that, the voltage comes back up, the head unit turns back on, and the headlights noticeably get brighter.
• So the alternator is definitely charging at higher RPM, but apparently not enough at idle/low RPM.
• At night, I don't feel comfortable driving for very long because I know the battery can eventually get drained.
• I've gotten into the habit of putting the 12V battery on a charger whenever I get home just to make sure it doesn't get too low.

It's honestly getting pretty annoying to drive like this because I'm constantly thinking about keeping the RPM up instead of just being able to let the car idle normally.

What I'm doing with the hybrid system

I'm currently working on removing the old hybrid battery. The IMA system doesn't work anyway, so I'm mainly doing this for weight savings and because eventually I'd like to do a lithium battery conversion when I can afford it.

So while I'm already in there, I figured I might as well try to fix the alternator/charging setup properly.

I'm also doing a LED projector headlight retrofit, and I've replaced basically all of the exterior lighting with LEDs. Hopefully that reduces the electrical load somewhat, but I obviously don't want the alternator producing some unstable/high voltage situation that could damage the new LEDs.

Why I want to fix it

There are a few reasons I'm trying to get this sorted out:

1. Winter is coming, and cold weather isn't exactly going to help the 12V battery.
2. I don't want to be driving at night constantly worried about losing electrical power.
3. I want the headlights/projectors to have stable voltage.
4. I eventually want to install a small subwoofer + amplifier, but I definitely don't feel comfortable adding another ~300+ watts of electrical load to the car right now.
5. I'd rather fix the charging system properly than continue relying on charging the battery at home.

What I'm trying to figure out

What would you guys recommend checking/fixing with this alternator setup?

I'm not entirely sure what alternator was installed or exactly how the previous owner wired everything. I can get pictures/details of the setup if that would help.

I'm wondering if the issue could be:

• An alternator that's simply too small
• Poor alternator wiring
• Bad grounds
• Incorrect voltage regulation
• A bad alternator
• Alternator pulley/drive ratio
• Something with the way the alternator was installed to replace the IMA system
• Or some combination of these

I'd especially like to know what voltage I should be seeing at idle vs. ~2,000 RPM, and what/how I should test first before throwing parts at it.

I've attached some pictures of the car/current setup.

TL;DR: Bought a 2000 Insight manual with a dead IMA system and an alternator conversion. The car charges poorly at idle/low RPM and sometimes the head unit shuts off until I raise the RPM. I'm removing the dead hybrid battery, eventually want to do a lithium conversion, and want to properly fix the alternator/charging system before winter. Also planning LED projectors and eventually a sub/amp, so I want a reliable electrical system first. What should I test/check?

Figured I should probably update this since it's been a while and a LOT has changed since I made that post lol. ORIGINAL POST - https://www.reddit.com/r/crv/s/9GxWWF1bwd

For anyone who doesn't remember, I had a 1999 CR-V AWD 5-speed that I absolutely loved. Bought it for $2k, owned it for about a year and a half, took it basically everywhere, and ended up selling it because my girlfriend was going to college about 6 hours away. I figured the gas mileage difference between the CR-V and a more efficient car would save me a decent amount of money over time.

I got absolutely roasted in the comments for that decision 😂

There were quite a few people saying things along the lines of:

“Gf moving away 6 hours to college… heard how that story goes”

“You’re only saving like $250 a month”

“Seems like you’re prioritizing short term savings over something you cherish”

And then there was the guy who said my girlfriend would have to deal with me driving a car with “the adventurous abilities of a trip to Walgreens.”

Well...

She didn't move 6 hours away.

She transferred to the same college I go to. 😂

So we're still together, and actually getting engaged here in probably about 5 months. I already bought the ring, so hopefully she doesn't see this lmao.

As for the CR-V, I ended up selling it over spring break for $6,500. I bought it for $2k, so I was pretty happy with that.

Then on May 10th I bought a 2000 Honda Insight 5-speed for $1,500.

The hybrid system doesn't work, so it's basically just running on the little 1.0L 3-cylinder, but I'm still getting 55-65 mpg pretty consistently.

It has like a 10 gallon tank and I'm getting 600+ miles out of it. It's honestly stupid.

I absolutely love driving it too. It's obviously not fast, but the 5-speed makes it way more fun than it has any right to be, and getting 60 mpg while driving it around is hilarious.

It's gotten to the point where we'll drive the Insight basically everywhere. Going up into the mountains and back and spending like $8 on gas is pretty awesome.

My girlfriend actually loves the thing too and appreciates the gas mileage a ton.

The only slightly annoying part is that between my 350Z and the Insight, I now own two 2-seaters 😂

Luckily, my girlfriend has a 2004 4Runner, and we've been modifying that together. It's looking seriously good now and has basically become our adventure/off-road vehicle.

So the current lineup is:

My 2007 350Z

My 2000 Insight

Her 2004 4Runner

I love this setup lol

The CR-V was awesome and I still miss it. It was one of those cars that just became way more than transportation. It took me on countless road trips, camping trips, ski trips, hunting trips, and somehow got me through some pretty questionable trails for a stock-ish little CR-V.

It's still pretty funny that it was also the car I met my girlfriend because of.

But looking back, everything worked out pretty much as well as it possibly could have.

I sold the CR-V for $6,500, got an Insight for $1,500 that gets 55-65 mpg, still have my 350Z, my girlfriend still has her 4Runner, we're at the same college now, and we're getting engaged soon.

So to everyone who was worried about the 6-hour distance...

I think we're gonna be alright 😂

And to the guy who said my new car would have the adventurous capabilities of a trip to Walgreens:

The Insight has actually been to the mountains quite a bit now.

It just does it for like $8 instead of $40.

Still miss the CR-V though. That thing was a legend, probably own one later down the line

ORIGINAL POST - https://www.reddit.com/r/crv/s/9GxWWF1bwd

Looking at picking up this used Traxxas 4-Tec 2.0 for around $150.

From what I know:
• Traxxas 4-Tec 2.0 roller
• Cheetah 21.5T 1600KV sensored brushless motor
• Cheetah 60A sensored ESC
• OEM Traxxas receiver/radio included
• Not sure what servo is in it (looks blue so probably stock)
• Comes with the body shown

I’m mostly looking for a fun street car and don’t mind upgrading things later if needed.

My main questions:
• Is that Cheetah 21.5T/60A combo any good, or is it a cheap setup?
• Is $150 a fair price if everything works?
• Anything specific I should check before buying (diffs, bearings, chassis, etc.)?

Thanks! I’ve own/have owned Traxxas stuff before, but new to the 4-Tec platform.