Running a higher voltage system in my car?

[Goldtaz1 10+ year member]

I would like to know how I would go about running a higher voltage system in my car? Currently I have everything charging at 14.3 volts, but I was comtemplating a 16 volt setup.

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[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

You have to have a completely separate electrical system since all the components in your car may not be able to handle the higher voltage. So, you'd need to keep your current electrical system, then "add" a 16V system dedicated to only the amps.

Not really worth it IMHO unless you are a hardcore competitor trying to get every last .1db.

 

[Goldtaz1 10+ year member]

You have to have a completely separate electrical system since all the components in your car may not be able to handle the higher voltage. So, you'd need to keep your current electrical system, then "add" a 16V system dedicated to only the amps.
Not really worth it IMHO unless you are a hardcore competitor trying to get every last .1db.

Ok. Guess I won't be heading down that road. What kinds of things besides adding a higher output alternator, batteries, and doing the big 3 can I do to get the voltage to never deviate from 14.4?

 

[btnhfan 5,000+ posts]

You just hit them all.

Not run any of your other electrical components besides audio system.

 

[avs20 10+ year member]

Everything in a 16v system must be isolated from your stock electrical system. Turbostart makes a step up transformer which allows your 12v alternator, to charge the 16v batteries.

The way I figured it was...I got the turbostarts MUCH cheaper than I could get an optima/kinetik/whatever. Essentially 2 turbostarts for every 1 optima. So it was actually cheaper for me to run a 16v system. I dont worry about classes though like most people...because I dont compete usually..

 

[Goldtaz1 10+ year member]

Everything in a 16v system must be isolated from your stock electrical system. Turbostart makes a step up transformer which allows your 12v alternator, to charge the 16v batteries.The way I figured it was...I got the turbostarts MUCH cheaper than I could get an optima/kinetik/whatever. Essentially 2 turbostarts for every 1 optima. So it was actually cheaper for me to run a 16v system. I dont worry about classes though like most people...because I dont compete usually..

Does turbostart have a website or somewhere I can do a little homework?

 

[avs20 10+ year member]

http://www.turbostart.com

btw, I didnt buy anything new...which is why it was so cheap. Look around, you can find great deals..

 

[Goldtaz1 10+ year member]

Everything in a 16v system must be isolated from your stock electrical system. Turbostart makes a step up transformer which allows your 12v alternator, to charge the 16v batteries.The way I figured it was...I got the turbostarts MUCH cheaper than I could get an optima/kinetik/whatever. Essentially 2 turbostarts for every 1 optima. So it was actually cheaper for me to run a 16v system. I dont worry about classes though like most people...because I dont compete usually..

One more question, I went to their website and I am not seeing the step up transformer? Where did you find that? Also, when you say it must be isolated from the stock electrical system how do you go about doing that? With a battery isolator?

 

[avs20 10+ year member]

http://turbostart.com/tb16vpage.htm

No need for a battery isolator. The only wires connected to your 12v system, are the red and black wires on the transformer that go to the + and - of your 12v battery.

 

[btnhfan 5,000+ posts]

Good luck on turbostart. I have heard a rumor they are going under. I believe that all of their batteries are on backorder as well.

 

[Goldtaz1 10+ year member]

http://turbostart.com/tb16vpage.htmNo need for a battery isolator. The only wires connected to your 12v system, are the red and black wires on the transformer that go to the + and - of your 12v battery.

I sure do appreciate your help.

I hope they are not going under, it looks like they have gone to great lengths to beef up their website. Let me know if you hear anything definite.

 

[Goldtaz1 10+ year member]

http://turbostart.com/tb16vpage.htmNo need for a battery isolator. The only wires connected to your 12v system, are the red and black wires on the transformer that go to the + and - of your 12v battery.

Hey man, I was looking at the transformer and then I got to looking at what batteries you were running and I got a little confused about the purpose of the little yellow wire running from the booster. Where does that wire fit into the grand scheme of things?

 

[Goldtaz1 10+ year member]

Come on avs, just one more question?

 

[InhumanAcura 5,000+ posts]

why do you wanna run a 16v system?

what amps do you have?

 

[avs20 10+ year member]

I run the AGM style batteries. The site says the transformer only works with their 3 post battery..which isnt true. The red and black wires go to the 12v battery, and the yellow wire goes to the positive terminal of the 16v battery.