Okay, here's a dumb question. I'm sure it's dumb because I thought of it. :-)

Does the RLX Sport Hybrid use a conventional starter motor or does it use the 47 HP front electric motor to sort of jump start the J Motor?

I can't help wondering about the life expectancy of any conventional starter motor that's used so continuously.

 

An interesting question. I wonder whether or not the starter used the LION batteries or the normal one??

 

^^ Assuming it's a development of the original IMA system, it would use the high voltage LI battery since it runs at a different voltage. We just don't know that much about this system, but IMA was very reliable since there was no solenoid needed to throw out the starter gear. The motor was attached to the flywheel and all it needed was current to get it going.

 

Why do we even need the 12v high amp battery, I wonder.

 

Probably because it's easier to run all the 'regular' electrical systems with that one. Nobody wants to make 240 volt radios LOL. I suppose they could use some form of inverter/transformer to drop the voltage but I bet the 12V battery serves a backup function as well.

 

Integrated Motor Assist - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Good post, we've been driving an IMA equipped Honda for the last 3 1/2 years and it's a nice little system once you understand that it's only an assist.

 

To be fair, even the Tesla Model S has a 12v battery to run the electronics when the car is in ACC mode. The 12v charges off the HV battery when the car is turned on, much as it charges off an alternator in an ICE car.