12v Battery Questions

[bunkerking09 10+ year member]

So the organization i'm competing in next year only allow batteries of the 12v variety. So I have a couple of questions...

1. Should I stick with Optima Yellowtops? They're fairly cheap and I think a bank of those would be fairly easy to get.

2. How do I achieve the highest voltage possible? How do I maintain it? I'm thinking it can be like 15.5 volts max, but I could be wrong.

Any other suggestions for a 12v setup are greatly appreciated.

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[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

Group 31 sized I would say you would be A-ok...I would look into the rules of the org you are running in. If they allow you to run with the engine on you can change alts to one with an external adjustable voltage regulator or look into an MLA harness. If you run engine off you can train a 12v battery to rest at a slightly higher voltage but more than likely you will be shortening its lifespan

 

[bunkerking09 10+ year member]

Group 31 sized I would say you would be A-ok...I would look into the rules of the org you are running in. If they allow you to run with the engine on you can change alts to one with an external adjustable voltage regulator or look into an MLA harness. If you run engine off you can train a 12v battery to rest at a slightly higher voltage but more than likely you will be shortening its lifespan

Yea you can run with car on. So I will probably look into an external regulator this summer. Until then, its 14v all the way!!!

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

I would stay under 15v unless you know someone or have the alt manufacturer suggest what to do specifically..some cars electronics will go poof if you dail it up too high which is why i suggested the MLA harness..a lot of guys like running them with DC power alts.

 

[bunkerking09 10+ year member]

whats a MLA harness?

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

missing link audio

http://www.missinglinkaudio.com/

Talk to them and see what they have to offer. From what I read they have the ability to be turned off and on and they do not overide the normal operation of the alternator.

 

[alvitae 10+ year member]

If you go to smd designs site, Mla has a section there where he explains the module and people give reviews of it.

And I think they are pretty affordable.

 

[bunkerking09 10+ year member]

seems cool. now i just gotta get that electrical up to par.