Hello all,

My IMA light has been going on and off, and I'm thinking it's time to break down and buy a new IMA battery. I found what looks like a great deal on a refurbished battery by ASC with a 12 month warranty. I was really excited to find it because it's about half the price of a new battery, but I've never heard of them and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with them.

Here are links to their products:

http://www.ascautorepairshop.com/app...s/show/5194185

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-2004-20...-/191497100982

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

Never heard of them. As one who has refurbed several batteries, it's a crap-shoot. If it lasts the warranty period, it probably won't go much past that unless most of the sticks are new.

You'll be a lot happier with a Bumblebee or Hybrid Revolt 8Ah new battery for ~$2,000 with a 3 year warranty.

 

Thanks for the input, I was worried someone might say that. I think I'll go the route of reconditioning it myself over the summer.

 

If you haven't reconditioned one yourself, good results are NOT obtained by your typical refurb described using IMAX charges and cycling them 3 times to 1V/cell.

IMHO, you need to establish the following pass/fail criteria (put forth by Peter Perkins of Insight Central):

1. 90A load for 10 seconds while maintaining 5.4V minimum.
2. >5,000 mAh capacity at 10A load
3. <1,000 mAh self-discharge after 7 days.

Anything less than the above is a crap shoot.

IMHO, cycling is a waste of time. Deep discharge to low voltage with cell reversals at low current is key to recovering capacity due to voltage depression. A single cycle of deep discharging a stick to 0.1V at 1A, 0.5A and 0.2A loads followed immediately by recharge has shown 20-25% capacity recovery in 100% of the sticks in the packs I've done.

Reversal of these cells at the low currents referenced does NOT damage them as the rest of the web would have you believe.

Good luck,

Steve

 

Following up. I just wanted to recount my recent refurbish effort on an '04.

It was *****. Only 6 of the 20 sticks met all criteria. I compromised on the 5.4V minimum requirement, and it blew up on my face. Between it and another pack, 8 met that requirement. I compromised on the next best 12 sticks that ranged from 5.2 to 5.4V. IMA light came back in 20 miles.

Note that every single one of these sticks tested over 80% capacity after the refurbish at 10-15A loads.

IMHO, be prepared to replace most or all of your sticks.

 

If you call and are talking to Gary at ASC hybrid. 3215 luyung dr. Rancho Cordova Ca. He is a thief! He took $1750.00 from me and never heard from him again! Do not do business with this guy!!