Rusty has battery issues, ask me how I know.

Bwaahaahaaa!! Sorry Rusty, I couldn't resist!!!

I switched to 16 volt about 3.5 years ago, and loved it ever since.. I never ran an alternator until middle of 2018 season, and that was one of the absolute best things I've added to my racecar.. I still throw it on the charger every now and then first couple rounds of a race, but I know with confidence it will start every time for me in the later rounds!

quote:

Originally posted by xtended_s10:
I don't know what all goes with it. I took 2 12v batteries out and installed 2 16v batteries. I don't have an alternator. Its a small block 406 and cranks over a heck of a lot better on 16v. My new charger has 12 and 16v so my tow vehicle batteries will do in a pinch if necessary. Now that i have tried them i don't see me going back to 12v. I do see me somehow trying to add an alternator in the future.

Why? What is the tangible thing that you like better that you are willing to pay more for?

I like my 16 volt system, cranks over nice cools down quick.
I’m trying to find a 16 volt regulator for my east coast 2002 alternator.

Torkin! lmao!
I put the 53 lb 16/12 lug in after finding out my fuel pump and water pump don’t like 16volts. I have a 16XS up front stock location and the working ballast 53 right rear wheel area. Also have the tiny SD 40 amp 16v alt. So far good.

I switched to 16v my fuel pump didn't like it either it had a internal bypass I switched to a pump with a return line to cure the problem

quote:

Why? What is the tangible thing that you like better that you are willing to pay more for?

Well for one when going rounds and getting rushed to get back i feel more confidant that its gonna fire right up. Again no alternator so charging between rounds but not really necessary in the later rounds. The other thing is a friend gave me the batteries out of a dragster he bought for a 100 bucks so i only had to buy a charger. Another thing is it may not be necessary to run 2 batteries. Some are only running 1 battery and a alternator and it still cranks over like the spark plus are out. For me on my s-10 the extra weight(2 bats) in the back isn't hurting anything.

Thanks for all the replies and info !!!!

Couple quick questions ......

Everyone I talk to says the car cools down waaay quicker with 16 volts. Obviously, simply because the water pump and fans spin faster ?? Being on gas, this is a big plus in the summer.

We run two 12 volt batteries now and rarely charge anything at the track. Are most people running only one 16 volt ???

What 12 volt batteries do you get the most life out of ?? We run typical group 24 batteries and usually replace them every 2 yrs or so. Old batteries are still good and always used on something around the shop.

I was never a 16v fan until I switched. I made the switch because I don't have a place on the front of my engine for an alternator. I did have starting issues with my car, 12v barely got it done...now it spins like no tomorrow! Going down track I'm running a Grid, A3000 fuel pump, Meziere water pump, spall fan. Even with an alternator, 12v battery still needed charged every round. With the 16v stuff, I've gone as many as 5 rounds with NO CHARGING and my data still showed a rock solid 15.8v going down track...that included between rounds cooling, driving to and from the pits. If I can ever figure out where I can mount my alternator I'll put it back on, but right now I just don't need it..I won't go back to 12v again in a drag racing application.......

quote:

Originally posted by HS professor:
What 12 volt batteries do you get the most life out of ?? We run typical group 24 batteries and usually replace them every 2 yrs or so. Old batteries are still good and always used on something around the shop.

My car has one Odyssey Battery 34/78 PC1500DT purchased 6 -2013 . Mounted in the rear. 388 / 13.5 -1 sbc. 135 amp alternator. Still cranking strong. Never charge between first 5 rounds. Only put on charger if running water pump / fans after a roundy round if time permits.

quote:

Originally posted by markemark:

quote:

Originally posted by HS professor:
What 12 volt batteries do you get the most life out of ?? We run typical group 24 batteries and usually replace them every 2 yrs or so. Old batteries are still good and always used on something around the shop.

My car has one Odyssey Battery 34/78 PC1500DT purchased 6 -2013 . Mounted in the rear. 388 / 13.5 -1 sbc. 135 amp alternator. Still cranking strong. Never charge between first 5 rounds. Only put on charger if running water pump / fans after a roundy round if time permits.

Mark, I run that exact same battery in mine. 13-1 SBC I run makes it easier but I only have a 55 amp super mini and usually don't even consider charging until 10 rounds when we have double races and I'm doing well. Do you see a something that prompts you to charge after 5?

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
Mark, I run that exact same battery in mine. 13-1 SBC I run makes it easier but I only have a 55 amp super mini and usually don't even consider charging until 10 rounds when we have double races and I'm doing well. Do you see a something that prompts you to charge after 5?

Depends on the track I’m at and what the outside temp is later into the race. When I arrive at staging lanes I want my engine as close to 170* as possible without running the fan when arriving.

If I’m pitted further away from staging and it’s in the 90’s and I am into the 6th and later rounds I’ll run the w/pump + fan after a run to drop to 140* which is about 4 minutes run time. If there’s time I’ll put my one and only 50 yr old 6 amp charger on. The engine will absolutely start even if I didn’t charge between later rounds. But if I have time, I figure why not.

quote:

Originally posted by markemark:

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
Mark, I run that exact same battery in mine. 13-1 SBC I run makes it easier but I only have a 55 amp super mini and usually don't even consider charging until 10 rounds when we have double races and I'm doing well. Do you see a something that prompts you to charge after 5?

Depends on the track I’m at and what the outside temp is later into the race. When I arrive at staging lanes I want my engine as close to 170* as possible without running the fan when arriving.

If I’m pitted further away from staging and it’s in the 90’s and I am into the 6th and later rounds I’ll run the w/pump + fan after a run to drop to 140* which is about 4 minutes run time. If there’s time I’ll put my one and only 50 yr old 6 amp charger on. The engine will absolutely start even if I didn’t charge between later rounds. But if I have time, I figure why not.

I got ya. I run alcohol so I never thought about having to run a pump and fan like that.