How do I know if the Dealer kept the battery charged?

[Mikeinohio]

I have been watching local dealer Clarity inventories over the last several months while I have been deciding whether to buy one. Based upon inventories, it appears very few are being sold in my area. One dealer has had three of the same color on the lot for almost three months. All three have been parked on the end of the lot, and it doesn't appear they have been physically moved. I have read that allowing the battery to run down is bad. Is there a way to know if they have kept the battery charged? Thanks in advance.

 

[weave]

I was doing the same thing -- watching inventory for months -- and saw the same thing. I ended up buying mine at a dealer 200 miles from my home, two states away, that was *only* in the lot for six weeks. Fortunately it was in the dealer showroom the entire time. The battery was low but at least it wasn't in the heat.

Dealers seem on whole to totally suck and maintaining these cars.

 

[neal adkins]

The dealers are instructed not to use the new cable to charge the car. Even though it is in thier check list to check the functioning of the lithium ion battery they have no way to charge the battery unless they purchase a cable. My battery was at about 2 bars when i left the lot. i doubt the batteries are being charged.

 

[phevophile]

I agree batteries are not being charged by dealers. Mine was dead when I went to test drive and had to be jumped. Battery now seems as strong as everyone elses but we will see what happens over the longer term.

Dealer was completely ignorant about the car, technology, possible rebates and tax credits... Pretty much everything that would help sell the car! LOL! Between the US gov and my state (TX, not the greenest) I am going to receive $10000 in cash and tax credits!!. All this on a car Honda is probably selling at a loss!!! Not to mention the savings/environomental impact from electricity vs. gasoline! I mean if anything is a no brainer it is purchasing a Clarity PHEV.

 

[neal adkins]

I agree batteries are not being charged by dealers. Mine was dead when I went to test drive and had to be jumped. Battery now seems as strong as everyone elses but we will see what happens over the longer term.


Dealer was completely ignorant about the car, technology, possible rebates and tax credits... Pretty much everything that would help sell the car! LOL! Between the US gov and my state (TX, not the greenest) I am going to receive $10000 in cash and tax credits!!. All this on a car Honda is probably selling at a loss!!! Not to mention the savings/environomental impact from electricity vs. gasoline! I mean if anything is a no brainer it is purchasing a Clarity PHEV.

We are talking about the li battery that drives the car. Thay are not charging this battery So when you do a test drive it runs in hv mode.

 

[PHEV Newbie]

Our Clarity was fully charged when we test drove it and fully charged again when we picked it up. The salesperson told us that everyone at the dealership was excited about the first Clarity they received so all the miles on it were from staff (likely charged it up to try it out for themselves). We were the first customers to test drive it (and we bought it right away so presumably no one else). They also installed the rubber plugs (see other thread) so I'm pretty happy with my dealer.

 

[phevophile]

We are talking about the li battery that drives the car. Thay are not charging this battery So when you do a test drive it runs in hv mode.

I agree. Both the ignition and traction batteries were dead when I tried to test drive car. Once we jumped it, I drove it in HV mode.

 

[insightman]

I agree. Both the ignition and traction batteries were dead when I tried to test drive car. Once we jumped it, I drove it in HV mode.

That means the big battery was dead and it couldn't recharge the 12-volt battery through the DC-to-DC converter that performs that task. If we knew how long it takes for the 12-volt battery to lose all its charge (I don't know what parasitic drain the Clarity puts on this battery), we'd know the big battery was chargeless for at least that long.

 

[bpratt]

The minimum acceptable voltage for the LI batteries is 3.0 volts. If it drops below 2.5 volts, the batteries can be damaged and if it drops below 1 volt, the batteries are destroyed and can not be recharged.

 

[weave]

That means the big battery was dead and it couldn't recharge the 12-volt battery through the DC-to-DC converter that performs that task. If we knew how long it takes for the 12-volt battery to lose all its charge (I don't know what parasitic drain the Clarity puts on this battery), we'd know the big battery was chargeless for at least that long.

Pretty sure the traction battery doesn't charge the (12 volt) accessory battery unless the car is actually running. If left sitting on the lot the two battery sets will drain independently of each other.

 

[mcdull]

The minimum acceptable voltage for the LI batteries is 3.0 volts. If it drops below 2.5 volts, the batteries can be damaged and if it drops below 1 volt, the batteries are destroyed and can not be recharged.

I'm quite sure there is protection circuit somewhere to prevent the batteries from draining to too low voltage, even those cheap rechargeable li-ion battery for flashlight or so can be bought with built-in protection circuit.

I certainly wouldn't worry about that.

 

[su_A_ve]

The dealers are instructed not to use the new cable to charge the car. Even though it is in thier check list to check the functioning of the lithium ion battery they have no way to charge the battery unless they purchase a cable. My battery was at about 2 bars when i left the lot. i doubt the batteries are being charged.

Ha! My charger was thrown back in the trunk, definitely taken out of the bag and not for "testing". I picked up the car and it was only at 50%, and their level 2 charger was not working because "they disconnected it since they were using too many outlets inside the garage"