DC-DC Converter

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Honda Insight and 2010 Honda Insight. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Instead of using an alternator to maintain the 12 V battery, the electrical system uses a DC-DC converter. The converter converts high voltage direct current into low voltage direct current with little energy loss.

If a problem is detected in the 12 V charging system, the DC-DC converter turns on the charging system indicator by sending a signal to the gauge control module via the MCM.

The DC-DC converter has a built-in temperature sensor that sends temperature information the MCM. When the DC-DC converter temperature rises, the MCM drives the IPU module fan. If the DC-DC converter temperature rises abnormally, DC-DC converter output is limited. If the temperature continues to rise, the DC-DC converter output is stopped.

Heat generated by the DC-DC converter is exhausted to the cargo area by the IPU module fan.