[KlumzyDriver]

From the comments here it is apparently unacceptable to use a trickle charger on the AGM battery. Anybody know specifically why not? With other cars if I inadvertently left an interior light on and the AGM battery went dead I have used a trickle charger hooked up for a few hours to get things going again.

 

[Wolverine51]

AGM Battery Charger - 12 Volt Battery

Is it true that the owner must never use either a battery maintainer or charger on this battery (as implied on page 591 of the Owners Manual) ?

 

[Mr. Natural]

The way I read it you just need to make sure it’s an AGM compatible charger.

 

[insightfully]

The way I read it you just need to make sure it’s an AGM compatible charger.

Agree. The manual reads "AGM labeled batteries like those installed in your vehicle require a compatible charger to be properly charged. Damage to the battery can result if the battery is charged improperly or with the wrong equipment. For more information on how to charge your vehicle’s AGM battery, consult a dealer."

The main difference in charging approach is "low and slow" for an AGM battery. I liked this article and video for info: http://www.thelongestlecture.com/charge-agm-battery-with-normal-charger/

 

[Wolverine51]

Great replies. That article on AGM batteries is well worth reading by all Insight Owners.

 

[FRR]

I hope everyone is right about the battery lasting a long time. My service dept told me that even if they run specials that the Insight won't be included since the work is more involved. It would be done on a strictly time and material basis. The one question that no one at the dealer seems to be able to answer is whether I can tender my battery when I am gone for 2 or 3 months. Most agree that it should not be done. Of course it can be jumped but not tendered. I would think that would hurt the life of the unit. I guess the vehicle is too new to have some of these things answered. For instance, I always purchase Weathertech floor linings for previous cars but they are not available for the Insight. I called several times and finally was connected with someone who said the company makes products on demand and there hasn't been any demand from Insight owners. I said ok, I'll just by Husky brand. And I did.

 

[insightfully]

The one question that no one at the dealer seems to be able to answer is whether I can tender my battery when I am gone for 2 or 3 months. Most agree that it should not be done. Of course it can be jumped but not tendered. I would think that would hurt the life of the unit. I guess the vehicle is too new to have some of these things answered.

I believe similar "trickle charge" question was asked in the "Special Insight 12 Volt Battery" thread.

The manual says an AGM-compatible charger should be fine to use (p592): "AGM labeled batteries like those installed in your vehicle require a compatible charger to be properly charged. Damage to the battery can result if the battery is charged improperly or with the wrong equipment. For more information on how to charge your vehicle’s AGM battery, consult a dealer."

This AGM article from Battery University says that AGM batteries have low self-discharge and can last longer in storage and/or between charges than conventional lead acid batteries. It also states that AGM batteries are sensitive to overcharging, and the float charge should be managed.

This article and video were also helpful for info on AGM charging.

Net, I don't think it's an issue to tender your battery, so long as you use equipment compatible with an AGM battery. But the battery frankly shouldn't need it, given its better performance qualities.

 

[FRR]

I checked the site for Battery Tender Jr and it said it is safe for an AGM battery. From what it said, AGM batteries must be charged slowly and that is why a traditional changer will not work but a tender will. I've got 6 months before I will be faced with the issue, and will certainly read everything I can find before that time. Great discussion and I appreciate everyone's input.

 

[runninglate]

How trickle charge 12v when laying up Insight

I need to put my 2019 Insight in storage for 6 months. Much to my surprise per my dealer the only way to keep the starter battery charged is to buy an extender for the 12v battery +post (to avoid the clips causing a short) and charge the battery in the cabin with a window open (to let the electric cord in and any fumes out). I have laid up cars may times and needing to leave the car open was a complete surprise- normally one charges the battery under the hood. I expected to charge it via the jump-start connection under the hood, but Honda says not to do so.

Does anyone know a way to keep the starting battery up while the car in is storage without leaving a window open? Mice and dust are not friends.

 

[mgldan]

Dumb question - why not remove the starter battery (and leave it charging elsewhere)?

 

[insightfully]

Wow, the "in-cabin charge" info from dealer is different from the "under-hood" approach. A few months ago, @FRR mentioned in this "did you know" thread that the dealer didn't recommend battery tender at all. And the only info in the manual on this topic says to "consult dealer" for info on charging the car's AGM battery.

Did your dealer make any comment as to why to connect to battery in-cabin, rather than under-hood?

 

[andrew28]

I think it would be a good idea to ask Honda directly (https://twitter.com/hondacustsvc?lang=en). The dealership doesn't give correct info sometimes.

 

[Verdier]

I think it would be a good idea to ask Honda directly (https://twitter.com/hondacustsvc?lang=en). The dealership doesn't give correct info sometimes.

Agreed! Talk to Honda corporate directly by phone or email and record it or save the email with the name if the person telling you what to do. Too much ambiguity on this car.

 

[runninglate]

The dealer showed me a Honda maintenance video in which Honda said never to charge the battery from under the hood. The dealer did not know why, and promised to try to find out.

 

[runninglate]

Thank you - I will try to contact them and post their reply. I was not aware of that account.

 

[runninglate]

I tweeted hondacustsvc explaining I needed to lay up my Insight for 6 months and explained that trickle charging in the cabin required a space for an electric cord and dust and mice were a concern, and that I was concerned I would lose all electronic settings if I removed the battery to charge elsewhere, and asked what Honda recommended.

From HondaCustSvc on Twitter WD replied" We can assist in documenting a complaint but unfortunately, we cannot offer assistance diagnosing the issue or make suggestions for possible maintenance since we are not technicians. We're sorry we could not be of greater assistance in that regard."

Honda was quick to respond but not helpful.

If anyone has experience laying-up an Insight (I realize the car is new and not many have been laid-up) I'd appreciate hearing what they did and if they were satisfied they chose the right way to do it.

 

[Mr. Natural]

I think there’s bigger problem than the 12v battery if you’re not going to run it for 6 months. According to the manual you need to run the car for at least 30 minutes every 3 months to prevent the high voltage battery from discharging too far.

 

[Mr. Natural]

.

 

[andrew28]

I tweeted hondacustsvc explaining I needed to lay up my Insight for 6 months and explained that trickle charging in the cabin required a space for an electric cord and dust and mice were a concern, and that I was concerned I would lose all electronic settings if I removed the battery to charge elsewhere, and asked what Honda recommended.

From HondaCustSvc on Twitter WD replied" We can assist in documenting a complaint but unfortunately, we cannot offer assistance diagnosing the issue or make suggestions for possible maintenance since we are not technicians. We're sorry we could not be of greater assistance in that regard."

Honda was quick to respond but not helpful.

If anyone has experience laying-up an Insight (I realize the car is new and not many have been laid-up) I'd appreciate hearing what they did and if they were satisfied they chose the right way to do it.

Maybe have a friend/family member or pay someone to drive your car from time to time? @Mr. Natural is also right about the HV battery being more important.

 

[andrew28]

The dealer showed me a Honda maintenance video in which Honda said never to charge the battery from under the hood. The dealer did not know why, and promised to try to find out.

It was probably the above video. The warning to not charge the battery starts @0:37 mark. AGM batteries charge differently than Flooded batteries, too.
https://www.knowyourparts.com/technical-resources/blog/three-misconceptions-agm-batteries/

I think there’s bigger problem than the 12v battery if you’re not going to run it for 6 months. According to the manual you need to run the car for at least 30 minutes every 3 months to prevent the high voltage battery from discharging too far.

I also noticed this warning on a sticker right underneath the hood when I was refilling my washer fluid tank today.