16 volt battery?

[dcrider69]

After some searching on the forum, it doesnt appear that many or any people run a 16 volt system. Can anyone tell me why? I know that 16v is far superior for cranking. I have asked the same on the other forum. TIA

[Black93GT]

considering everything is designed for 12vdc it wouldn't be practical. You'd get stuck swapping out all the bulbs, electric motors, sensors etc etc etc.

[dcrider69]

Not accurate info there, many drag racers use 16v with factory lighting.

[Black93GT]

Apparently I was under the misinformation they use 16v systems to run an engine without an alternator.

[dcrider69]

Some do and some don't. Thats where my concern is. I dont believe the 16v itself is a problem but the alternating current could possibly spike to a harmful level. I have read that the main concern is bulbs not lasting long and "cheaper" components. I dont know if flex a lite fans would fall into the "cheaper" category or not. I was hoping to find some folks with real world experience and report back. I imagine I will be doing very little night driving, so the bulbs shouldnt be a big concern.

[214Chevy]

I don't know much, but logically thinking, I would assume drag racers aren't driving there cars for long periods of times like we would. Nor, do they have radios, A/C, etc. All of the things that a driver would have, which, as someone already stated, is designed to run of 14v. Unless you have a killer sound system with lots of amps and other power robbing amenities, I would assume 16v would be overkill. Instead of a 16v battery, just bump up the amps on your alternator. Like, maybe say a 250-275 amp. That's what I'm gonna do.

[scott_fx]

After some searching on the forum, it doesnt appear that many or any people run a 16 volt system. Can anyone tell me why? I know that 16v is far superior for cranking. I have asked the same on the other forum. TIA

why do you feel that higher voltage is superior for cranking? current would be the main factor for "better" cranking.

[Che70velle]

why do you feel that higher voltage is superior for cranking? current would be the main factor for "better" cranking.

Ran 16 volt batteries in all my race cars. No alternators. Your gauge lighting will be noticeably brighter, and the starter will turn the engine over very quickly.
When I bought my first 16 volt battery, the salesman told me "if the engine is seized and you try to start it, it will spin the entire car over". Of course he's joking, but he's trying to emphasize to me about the difference in starter speed. I didn't believe him. Until I installed the battery. Wow, what a difference.
The real reason we ran them was even if fully discharged at the end of a big event (125 laps) the batteries still produced around 12 volts.
And my cars would turn another 300 rpm on the straights, with only a battery change. My brother even said that the exhaust note sounded different with the 16 volt units.
Our cars had no electronics, except ignition systems. Our radios had their own batteries. I have no idea what a 16 volt battery would do to an ECM, or other electronics, so do your homework if your putting a 16 volt battery in a street car.

[dcrider69]

Most electronics have a range of voltage that they will work on. Not just a nominal 12 volt, but I can't seem to find specs without calling manufacturers. As already stated, there are many, and I would lean to say MOST drag racers that use 16v. With and without alternators. It also appears that 16v has become the go to for car audio competition. Car audio folks are a good mix of purpose built and daily drivers.

I know from experience with quite a few drag cars, that msd, big stuff, race pak, nitrous, and many other products including lighting, work better and virtually flawless. I'm just trying to understand/figure out why it isn't talked about much for serious street.

There is a major difference between 12 and 16 when it comes to cranking a big inch motor with big compression. Guy above obviously knows.

I do appreciate all the input, we may get to the bottom of this. Then the search function can return something useful. :lmao:

[dcrider69]

From the mad electrical site...

With most applications, the battery likes about 14.2 volts from the alternator and voltage regulator system, when driving. Since the system must operate at about 14volts, electrical parts are designed for best performance and longest life when operating at about 14 volts. The parts can generally withstand 15volts (or more), although sometimes parts run hot or don’t last as long at stress level voltages.

[JeffPeoples]

As posted earlier, charging systems output above battery voltage. They must do so, to get the energy to go "back" into the battery. Many racers using 16 volt batteries are not running alternators, so the max voltage the electrical systems see is 16 volts. They do make alternators that are designed for 16 v batteries, and they put out over 18 volts. This pushes the bounds for many electrical components.
Don't know much about the roundy round guys, but the drag racers are looking for the extra voltage to give them a bit more horsepower from the extra ignition output (easier starting is a bonus). The analog MSD boxes can handle the 16 volts, but don't like the higher voltage alternator output. In fact, cars without alternators must make sure the master switch is off when in the pits on the 16v charger between rounds, so as not to kill the MSD.
TurboStart sold step down boxes that would output small amperages of 12 volt power for misc accessories, but they are prone to failure. They also had batteries with a 3rd lug that one could get 12 volt power from.
Since pro touring is about so much more than just horsepower, and these types of cars tend to have a lot of electrical accessories, I would really cautious about 16v batteries in a street oriented car.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

I don't know much, but logically thinking, I would assume drag racers aren't driving there cars for long periods of times like we would. Nor, do they have radios, A/C, etc. All of the things that a driver would have, which, as someone already stated, is designed to run of 14v. Unless you have a killer sound system with lots of amps and other power robbing amenities, I would assume 16v would be overkill. Instead of a 16v battery, just bump up the amps on your alternator. Like, maybe say a 250-275 amp. That's what I'm gonna do.

Correct, a properly functioning and designed 12V system is more than enough to run a standard and high demand car.

[roysbb]

I see a distinct advantage to having more than 12V for starting. Aside from cranking, many ignition boxes need a full 12V to output anything.

When cranking, it is not uncommon for a battery's voltage to drop below 12V.
In this case you will have hard starting when using many popular ignition boxes. Newer computer controlled vehicles are even more sensitive to voltages below 12V.

What if you could run the starter/alternator, ignition, headlamps, fans and fuel pumps on the higher voltage and then regulate that down to 12V for the rest of the vehicle?

This should be easy, as most these devices should use relays because of their current demands. The relays could just source +16 rather than +12.

With a system like this the 12V should be rock steady at +12.6V or whatever you set it to, as there would be very little draw on the +12V side.

Am I missing something? Roy

[408sbfmustang]

I have used a East Coast Electric 16 volt alt and XS Power battery in my Mustang.Never burned out a bulb.Had a electric fan,water pump,msd and fuel pump.All the manufactures said it was ok.Charged at 19.1 volts

[frojoe]

A properly-running factory or aftermarket alternator will pump out 14.5V- 14.8V, maybe even 15V.. so 16V for an alternator-less system isn't unrealistic at all. But running it in a dailydriver with a 16V-nominal alternator (as previously-mentioned, ~18V charging output) would be pushing things. From my experience when spec'ing various auto and non-auto electrical bits, things that are used in 12V applications have tech specs of "9V-16V source power" etc. I've yet to see anything 12V dc-intended that's rated up to 18V.