I've used two batteries in my bracket car in the past and didn't really have a problem without charging batteries between rounds. Has anyone ever used 3 batteries in parallel? Seems like that would make sure you could go 25 rounds and not run low on voltage. Is 3 overkill??

Bunch of extra weight is the downside. 16 volts and an alternator for me. Good luck with whatever you decide.

To me, it seems like a large amount of unnecessary weight. I do understand personal preference. One battery with an alternator always gives me the required service.

I agree with others. Using an alternator and one battery is best choice.


mem ..... I never charge my race car battery at the track……NEVER!!

I bracket raced for years with one 16 volt battery and no alternator. I won a bunch of races and engine never failed to start even with hot lapping
Big difference for me was alky injection and belt driven pump.
My current build has 1 16v battery and 75 amp alternator. I am running gas with an electric pump

Alternator is a good thing!

I have a 140 amp with (2) 12v batteries.

2BKING

I’ve seen a racer that runs their electric fuel pump intermittently to save the battery I believe. Keeping it off rolling into the water box and during the burnout and turn it ON prior to prestaging.


mem ..... I never charge my race car battery at the track……NEVER!

I prefer to run a 12 volt battery and alternator. I think 2 batteries is a good idea if you have the room and can use the extra weight. Do not think I would do 3 batteries.
I would not run a typical lead plate type battery because the plates can come loose inside. I would go with AGM type battery for safety.

On one of my cars I now have 2 new 16 volt batteries and an alternator. Should not have any issues with it now. Last year one 16 volt battery and no alternator had a problem a few times.

I hate it but on my other altered there is no place or way to put an alternator on it. Really needs one. IMHO all bracket cars should have good alternator.

Why? Unless you don't have room. 2 and 3 batteries don't offer too many
ticks in the advantages column. And a bunch in the negatives column. Weight, cost, longevity. I've replaced 20x the batteries in my life as opposed to alternators that went bad.

One good battery, one good alternator with correct wiring (something most people with battery problems never look at).

I have seen alternators driven off the rear end. Only bad thing is it only charges when the car is moving.

If using an alternator, I promote getting one that puts out the most where an engine spends the majority of time in dragracing. That’d be idle and driving less than 15 mph. That BO and less than 10 seconds at higher rpm does little to charge a battery.


mem………. I never charge my race car battery at the track……NEVER!!

quote:

Originally posted by markemark:
If using an alternator, I promote getting one that puts out the most where an engine spends the majority of time in dragracing. That’d be idle and driving less than 15 mph. That BO and less than 10 seconds at higher rpm does little to charge a battery.


mem………. I never charge my race car battery at the track……NEVER!!

What size is your pulley, MEM?

^^^^^^ Pulley ratio is 2.0 ( 2.5” x 5”). Powermaster Rated idle output is at 2200 -2400 alternator rpm. My car idles 1200 – 1300 rpm in neutral and in gear.

quote:

Originally posted by Cashflow:
I have seen alternators driven off the rear end. Only bad thing is it only charges when the car is moving.

Some circle track racers run them off rear end but they run races 30 minutes long or so. Totally useless for us. When we are driving to staging lanes or return road probably not enough alternator RPM to charge anything so only time it charges is going down the track.
That is when we least want it to have any drag.

I agree with Markemark in getting an alternator that charges where engine spends most of its time. And Powermaster starters and Alternators are really good.

I prefer to run an alternator. If you have everything right even one of those little Shogun type 14 amp alternators will really help. On my car could not even fit one of those.......

If you can not run an alternator then probably run two batteries. Just do not think 3 batteries is the answer and I believe all race cars should be running AGM type batteries over plate type lead acid for safety.

I don't know why any bracket car wouldn't have an alternator!

We use 100 amp alternators on all out stuff. 13lbs. Use a 9lb Lithium 16v battery. 22lbs total. half the weight of 1 12v battery and 10 times the fire power.

I have 2 batteries and a 100amp alternator and don't even carry a charger to the track most of the time.

While I'm an advocate for alternator. If you are dead set on not putting an alternator in then I would look into 2-6 volt batteries in series. Will get far more amp capacity than 2 12 volts in parallel. Just a thought.

I just installed a PowerMater in my car. No generator in my rig this year.

One of the main advantages of having an alternator is that all equipment has full operating voltage while going down track.