16v system change-up

General Gauges, Wiring, Ignition..

Moderator: John_Heard

Post Reply
Message
Author
User avatar
sverbus
Posts: 418
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2005 10:03 am

16v system change-up

#1 Post by sverbus » Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:46 pm

Thinking of going to a 16v system instead of 2 12v batteries, but was curious to what all has to be changed? I do run an alternator because I run the car on the street, so what has to be changed?

I also run a MSD 6al and electric fan and such.

Thanks guys..

Scott
'70 Nova
434 small block
Best so far of 10.51 @ 131mph with a best so far 60' /1.46

User avatar
John_Heard
Site Admin
Posts: 5734
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 11:20 am
Location: Resume Speed, Kansas
Contact:

#2 Post by John_Heard » Thu Dec 20, 2007 12:25 am

Don't know about that alternator - anyone know what a 16 volt alternator's output voltage is? I know some people run them on race cars but not sure if they are stepping down sensitive parts or not? I'm not sure that would be a good setup on something you're going to drive around much.

kyleracer
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2006 1:22 am
Location: waynesboro pa

16v

#3 Post by kyleracer » Thu Dec 20, 2007 2:10 am

You can always use a step down resistor between the 16v and anything that can not handle that much ! :-) I have been told by guys that have 16v batt systems that almost everything can run on the extra voltage !

User avatar
John_Heard
Site Admin
Posts: 5734
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 11:20 am
Location: Resume Speed, Kansas
Contact:

#4 Post by John_Heard » Thu Dec 20, 2007 6:22 am

The problem is when charging with a 16v setup and the voltage gets up around 19+. Many sensitive electronic compenents don't like that, like data loggers, EFI, MSD?, etc. I've been told to have that stuff disconnected when charging, that's why I'm not too sure about the deal with an alternator and how much it puts out. Think it would be wise to do the step down thing in that case. You'll have the brightest headlights in town! lol

User avatar
sverbus
Posts: 418
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2005 10:03 am

#5 Post by sverbus » Thu Dec 20, 2007 9:35 am

Am I barking up a tree that I don't need to with doing it? The one main reason I was thinking that i need more power through-out the car is how many electrical devices I've got with fan/MSD/Gauges/headlights/COIL and that a dual 12v battery setup was in order but yet that can be very heavy.

The 16v system is 1 battery and a light battery at that and puts out more power.

But if I'm going to have alot of money wrapped up in it with step downs and new everything than maybe I'll just put another red top Optima in and just run a dual setup.

When running a dual setup with an alternator how do I run the wiring for the charging? just charge one battery and they will charge each other? inquiring minds want to know! :)

thanks fellas,

Scott
'70 Nova
434 small block
Best so far of 10.51 @ 131mph with a best so far 60' /1.46

User avatar
John_Heard
Site Admin
Posts: 5734
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 11:20 am
Location: Resume Speed, Kansas
Contact:

#6 Post by John_Heard » Thu Dec 20, 2007 11:15 am

In my opinion for a car you're gonna run on the street I'd rather run a 140 amp alternator w/12 volt battery setup. Perhaps a 16 with alternator would work too but I don't know much about those setups to tell ya one way or the other.

To run a dual battery setup all you have to do it us run the batteries in parallel - run the positive to positive and negative to negative

User avatar
Tom Rix
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:33 pm
Location: Illinois

16V

#7 Post by Tom Rix » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:19 pm

I have run 16v batteries in my 3 race cars for several years. On one I run an East Coast 16v alternator. I have my Meziere water pumps and Magnafuel fuel pumps set up to run on 16v. All other components including 7531 Msd, Autometer play back gauges, O2 sensors, factory lights and equipment run fine. Starter spins faster. I don't have a full data acquisition system. The only issue I ever had was when I ran the Moroso 12v electric water pumps they seemed to burn up quicker.
I would agree with John that on a full street car I would probably stick with 12v and just run a larger output alternator.

Tom

User avatar
sverbus
Posts: 418
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2005 10:03 am

#8 Post by sverbus » Sun Dec 23, 2007 7:42 pm

yeah, I think that since I already own 1 red top Optima battery and mount and a PowerMaster 100amp alt I'm just going to mount another battery over the drivers side rear tire and put a nice mount in there and take John's advice and run them parallel and call it a day.

The one thing that I did was at the beginning of this summer when I put the vacuum pump on I went to a 5" bottom pulley, which slowed down the alternator and affected charging. I'm going to go back to a 7" pulley and that should be alot better.

thanks for the advice guys.

Scott
'70 Nova
434 small block
Best so far of 10.51 @ 131mph with a best so far 60' /1.46

vphtony
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 7:12 am

Re: 16v system change-up

#9 Post by vphtony » Sat May 02, 2009 8:32 am

Looking through this site, thought I'd comment. It's true that alternators charge to 19V+ when using a 16V alternator.

Isn't the purpose of a 16V battery to go alternator-less, though? :)

Maybe what is needed is a "14V lead-acid" battery. That would require an alternator tuned for 16.8V or so, you'd get a little more voltage than if you ran a 16V battery without an alternator. Would have better cranking with the battery being 14V nominal instead of 12V nominal. Anyways I've never seen a 14V lead battery (though it is possible).

Dykes&Strippers
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:01 am
Location: Lebanon, OH

Re: 16v system change-up

#10 Post by Dykes&Strippers » Mon May 04, 2009 11:25 am

IMO the only reason to run a 16V system is in cases where an alternator is not an option! I run 12V with an alternator in my door car and 16V with no alternator in my dragster. I believe one problem with most 12V systems and alternators is the dual battery set-ups...most people do not run a big enough alterantor to keep up with dual batteries. If the car is wired properly, has a good battery, and a properly size alternator and pulley cofiguaration, a single battery will out perform a dual setup!

With that said, I love my 16V set-up!! I have a 6AL, digital programmable timing computer, water pump, fan, electric vac pump, and Magna Fuel 500...15.9 Volts going down the track!!! My old 12V system (no alternator) was 11.2V.

If you do decide to go 16V, the only thing you will see is a decrease in light bulb life...your MSD will love it as well as your water pump, fan, and fuel pump. I believe 19V is about the most MSD wants you to stick to it...not sure how much of your factory wiring is left...a stock fuse block and wiring might not be too happy with 16V though.
Dykes & Strippers Custom Wiring
Lebanon, OH
513-617-5717

Harry Clack Dragster, 388" sbc, 4.80 @ 141

1978 Monza, 406 sbc, 5.59 @ 125

solidgnova
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:53 am

Re: 16v system change-up

#11 Post by solidgnova » Wed Apr 28, 2010 10:06 pm

Hey guys,

thoughts about a powermaster 12v battery with 100amp alternator setup for the street? I'm running an all motor bb setup.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests