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The FAS system
|  | | | Hand built and PC versions of FAS |
While MIMA and careful driving technique can yield some very impressive MPG,we have found that another simple modification can also boost the MPG even more.
We call it the FAS mod.
The Insight has a built in function called Autostop, which turns off the engine when you stop at a light. If you shift into neutral, clutch in, it can happen at up to 19 MPH. The Insight with electric power steering does not require the engine to be turning for power steering to work, and the vacuum boosted brakes have enough vacuum reserve to give several braking cycles. The engine is restarted automatically if you step on the accelerator, shift into gear, or the brake vacuum has dropped to a level where the vacuum boost does not have sufficient vacuum.
All of these features make the car very safe during engine off coasting.
An early MIMA user Calpod, was the first to tap into the fuel injector system with a momentary manually activated switch system that cut fuel to the engine by disconnecting the fuel injectors. A second switch simulated the clutch being pressed.
This combination allowed him to cut the engine by temporarily starving it of fuel until it stalled, simulating autostop at any speed.
Using this technique all of the safety systems for restarting the engine remained functioning, since the fuel cut was via a momentary switch.
The down side of this system was that he had to switch the clutch sw manually, and the 12V charging system was disabled during the FAS cycle.
Another MIMA user Highwater, further developed the FAS system by automating the clutch simulation switch with relays, and tied in the neutral switch to get the system back to normal operation when the gear shift was moved from the neutral position. Two wires were run to the rear IMA system to keep the 12V dc/dc charging system on while in the FAS cycle.
Many Insight drivers were interested in this FAS system, so I offered a hand made FAS relay system.
As part of the new MIMA build where I required some new PC boards, I turned the FAS system into a PC board with miniature PC board mounted relays. This will be offered as an option for MIMA systems or as a stand alone device. The price will be less than the hand made FAS systems, and will be determined soon.
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