Alternator Voltage Booster for AGM Battery
Was browsing through the "What did you to do your GX" stickied thread and saw this post by MarkVII.
I installed an AGM battery and have had to do a warranty replacement a couple months ago because it stopped holding a charge. Was completely unaware that the alternator as is doesn't charge it up to full voltage. Going through the battery thread on this forum, this site is linked which has good info on why it's needed, along with selling their own voltage booster which is currently sold out. Looking online it seems the most popular is the HKBelectronics (which has 3 versions) and ships from australia. Total with shipping is around $45usd. I also found this thread on tacomaworld where they use an AC Delco diode in place of the fuse, but the diode doesn't protect it from overcurrent and some recommend installing it in series with the fuse. What's the consensus on these? Should I pony up the $45 for the HKB one, or put the AC Delco in series with my fuse? Edit: Just saw in the tacomaworld thread that due to covid shipments to the US are taking 2-3 months! AC Delco diode it is... for now. |
Originally Posted by Ramacher
(Post 10872198)
Was browsing through the "What did you to do your GX" stickied thread and saw this post by MarkVII.
I installed an AGM battery and have had to do a warranty replacement a couple months ago because it stopped holding a charge. Was completely unaware that the alternator as is doesn't charge it up to full voltage. Going through the battery thread on this forum, this site is linked which has good info on why it's needed, along with selling their own voltage booster which is currently sold out. Looking online it seems the most popular is the HKBelectronics (which has 3 versions) and ships from australia. Total with shipping is around $45usd. I also found this thread on tacomaworld where they use an AC Delco diode in place of the fuse, but the diode doesn't protect it from overcurrent and some recommend installing it in series with the fuse. What's the consensus on these? Should I pony up the $45 for the HKB one, or put the AC Delco in series with my fuse? Edit: Just saw in the tacomaworld thread that due to covid shipments to the US are taking 2-3 months! AC Delco diode it is... for now. go with arclight instead. i use this in my 4runner and gx460 with no issues. he said they will be in stock some time in september. https://www.arclightleds.com/collect...er-pg2tb-brs6a |
Originally Posted by SlickTRD
(Post 10872208)
go with arclight instead. i use this in my 4runner and gx460 with no issues. he said they will be in stock some time in september.
https://www.arclightleds.com/collect...er-pg2tb-brs6a Found out you could also use a Ford Diode (Part# 4F2Z-14A604-AA) for $13 on the tacomaworld forum. There's Ford dealership/parts right next to my office so gonna stop by their to see if they have it and will get that in the mean time. |
Originally Posted by Ramacher
(Post 10872225)
It's sold out. How much is it? Doesn't show the price on that page, just says "Sold out".
Found out you could also use a Ford Diode (Part# 4F2Z-14A604-AA) for $13 on the tacomaworld forum. There's Ford dealership/parts right next to my office so gonna stop by their to see if they have it and will get that in the mean time. |
Stopped by Ford, location I went to didn't have it but another one about 15 min away did, but they wanted $21 while directly from Ford's website it's $13. I went to a nearby O'Rielly's and picked up the Littelfuse 1amp diode (which was linked in that TacomaWorld thread) for $3.99. I used a utility knife to shave off a little bit of it off so it fits flush.
Stock voltages:
I need to figure out how to export all the data points from the graphs and not just a screenshot. You can see the voltage drop from letting off the accelerator in the first screenshot with the stock fuse: (It says [Prius] because I had to install the Prius Plugin to get voltage at the battery in the Torque app) https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...7630257a78.jpg Stock Voltages This is after installing the diode while idling in a parking lot: https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...f66fea557c.png Voltages with Diode installed. Used a utility knife to snip/shave the bottom left corner of the diode: https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...f83abbe393.jpg Diode cut and stock fuse Diode installed (ended up putting the original fuse in the blank spot between the 15 and 30 amp fuses): https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...1cc77f40d0.jpg Diode installed. Photo from TW forums showing what you need to snip/shave off the diode so it sits flush:https://twstatic.net/attachments/02400113p-jpg.3340564/ @MarkVII What voltage increase are you seeing with the HKB? And did you get the MK1 or MK3? Edit: To add, I have an Energizer AGM battery from Sam's Club which is rebranded Eastpenn/Deka battery and this is from EastPenn's website: Are AGM batteries OK for any application?AGM batteries will replace a flooded battery in any typical alternator voltage regulated system. These systems generally maintain a voltage at 13.8 to 14.4 volts (cars, trucks, commercial trucks, boats, etc.). In fact, the efficient recharging of the AGM battery design can cause less wear on the vehicle’s alternator system over time. |
My voltage now runs between 13.9 - 14.4. Prior to the install I did not see anything above 14.1, it was usually 13.8. I ordered the MK3 version.
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Sounds like you need a full 1v boost
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Originally Posted by MarkVII
(Post 10872590)
My voltage now runs between 13.9 - 14.4. Prior to the install I did not see anything above 14.1, it was usually 13.8. I ordered the MK3 version.
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I have a northstar 31M single battery setup to run power. I've been running the Arclightled voltage booster for about 2 years, whenever this new version was released. Works great. I paid $62.99 shipped to my door.
Here's a very long thread going over the various options: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...m-battery.html seems most people that were previously running the other diodes switched to the Arclightleds version I am also running a Minn Kota 10a charger, I converted to an onboard charger, and I use that to top off the battery once a month |
I made my own diode, you just need to be able to solder and all the parts can be bought off amazon.
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Originally Posted by Ramacher
(Post 10872895)
Ok. Tempted to buy Littelfuse 1.5A diode to see what my voltage increases to, but I want to do some more voltage tests first.
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I ran into this problem with my Tacoma. I'm an EE, so all of the above seemed appealing, but the easiest solution by far was to just get an AGM battery tender and conditioner and use that. I used this one but most of them are OK decent.
The stock alternator isn't going to damage the battery over a couple weeks in the desert or whatever, and the conditioner only needs a few hours per month to keep the battery from suffering crystallization. It worked great for years, and I'll be using the same strategy when I upgrade the battery in my new GX. |
Can anyone here help me to understand the working of voltage regulators like how they work? What type of regulators are best? I'm doing my research from a few days and trying to learn. I found many good articles like this one: https://www.derf.com/an-overview-on-voltage-regulators/. Any expert advice or reference would be appreciated! Thanks
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Originally Posted by TomJackson
(Post 10980464)
Can anyone here help me to understand the working of voltage regulators like how they work? What type of regulators are best? I'm doing my research from a few days and trying to learn. I found many good articles like this one: https://www.derf.com/an-overview-on-voltage-regulators/. Any expert advice or reference would be appreciated! Thanks
How it makes the vehicle see this lower voltage is by putting a diode in the voltage sense line. Diodes have an inherent voltage drop of 0.7v as part of it's design. It's a negative side effect normally but it is used to do what you want here. Why do you want to do all of this? AGMs, at least for oddessy batteries, have a recommended charging voltage of 14.8v and most stock vehicles charge at 13.x volts since they come with lead acid batteries |
Originally Posted by TomJackson
(Post 10980464)
Can anyone here help me to understand the working of voltage regulators like how they work? What type of regulators are best? I'm doing my research from a few days and trying to learn. I found many good articles like this one: https://www.derf.com/an-overview-on-voltage-regulators/. Any expert advice or reference would be appreciated! Thanks
For the voltage booster https://www.arclightleds.com/collect...er-pg2tb-brs6a For the battery / voltage booster tips https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...d-for-all.html |
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