Upgrading to 14v? Insight needed

[Deeper_shades 10+ year member]

so Ive been trying to solve my electrical problem, or lack their of. I shopped around to find any one who was able to build me a decent size alt for my little yoda, Matt at mechman was the only guy who really seemed to know what he was talking about. so I got a 150a alt from him, as time goes by, Id like to be able to run more power than 3k, and I spoke with matt again and he suggested to send back the alt to him and he would mod it to be able to charge 14v batts, he says to grab a pair of 14 volt xs power 1400 batts, and he is promising that I would never drop past 14v.

He says that just 2 of the xs power 1400's and the moded 150a alt could keep up to 4-5k and not drop past 14

what do you guys think?

would this be hard on my car?

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[1rockford1 5,000+ posts]

first i have to say its a good thing to see if its a good idea. most people would just say ok for the most part it should work. if he is not charging to much go ahead .

 

[dbeez 5,000+ posts]

my dekas can do that too

 

[Deeper_shades 10+ year member]

so is there truth to what hes sayin? I respect matt, and dont think he would try and screw anyone, but again, Im no expert in electrical

 

[mobeious 10+ year member]

my dekas can do that too

sorry bro but i dont think 2 deka's is going to hold 14v with 5k

 

[k_schutte 10+ year member]

sorry bro but i dont think 2 deka's is going to hold 14v with 5k

depends on his alternator setup I would say. My pair of C&D's never dropped below 14.2v with about 6Kw rms.... Of course, I had 250~ amps at idle and 460~ amp at 1800 RPM from my alts.

 

[Skip01 5,000+ posts]

so is there truth to what hes sayin? I respect matt, and dont think he would try and screw anyone, but again, Im no expert in electrical

Yes there is...im doing a similar setup.

Your alt will be charging at like 16.5ish, and no you shouldnt drop below 14v

 

[Deeper_shades 10+ year member]

Yes there is...im doing a similar setup.
Your alt will be charging at like 16.5ish, and no you shouldnt drop below 14v

right on, so what batts are you going to go with than, im wondering if there is any options other than the xs power batts

 

[Skip01 5,000+ posts]

right on, so what batts are you going to go with than, im wondering if there is any options other than the xs power batts

Not that i know of

 

[Cabin_Pressure 10+ year member]

You will need to step-down the voltage going to the VEHICLES electrical system. They are usually rated to operate at a MAX of 16V, to properly charge a 14v battery, ~16.5v would be applied. That would be an expensive lesson if you cooked ECMs, solenoids, relays, etc. You should at least make sure the output voltage of the alt remains below 16V(if you don't use a step-down).

 

[Deeper_shades 10+ year member]

You will need to step-down the voltage going to the VEHICLES electrical system. They are usually rated to operate at a MAX of 16V, to properly charge a 14v battery, ~16.5v would be applied. That would be an expensive lesson if you cooked ECMs, solenoids, relays, etc. You should at least make sure the output voltage of the alt remains below 16V(if you don't use a step-down).

thanks for the feedback,

any idea where I can find information on a "step-down"

or better yet, a good one to buy?

 

[Cabin_Pressure 10+ year member]

thanks for the feedback,
any idea where I can find information on a "step-down"

Scottie J at XSPower, he can also tell you if the batteries will need more than 16V to fully charge. They may be designed to fully charge below 16.5V, but most batts charge at ~2.5V over their rating. i.e. 12V=14.5v, 16V=18.5v (the only ones i have dealt with).

 

[Deeper_shades 10+ year member]

thanks man, I know him...

 

[Skip01 5,000+ posts]

No need for any stepdowns running 14v setup:

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

No need for any stepdowns running 14v setup:

That 2V change isn't very significant and most decent electronics would be able to handle it, but I wouldn't say just because that truck's stock electrical can handle 16.5V then that means ALL cars can.