Alternator Voltage Booster

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Alternator Voltage Booster

Call them. Remember that site is for the Grand Prix with a 3.8. They really don't support the F-body directly

gotcha, i'll give em a call

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Alternator Voltage Booster

here's what tech said:

Our technical data only goes back to 1997. We do not have any data to indicate the compatibility of our products on any vehicles before 1997. The prerequisite for compatibility of the Alternator Voltage Booster (AVB) Module is the alternator connector to match the design illustrated on our website under the FAQ section of the AVB web page and for the alternator on the vehicle to have remote voltage sensing on Pin B of this connector.



If you have any further questions, please let us know.



sooooo what does that mean exactly?? =)

[GinsuGuy585]

Re: Alternator Voltage Booster

Wow, another one one of these gimmicks.

First of all, don't install this unless you have a bunch of extra $ lying around to fix fried components. For the higher voltage ones make sure you get a battery that can deal with the increased voltage.

Second of all, don't install this unless you have a bunch of extra $ lying around because you are paying $15 for a resistor. They explain in the product info: "...plugging inline with your alternator's voltage reference line..." This means it adds a resistor between the +12v line and the alternator's sensor, making the alternator pump up the voltage until the sensor reads the correct voltage behind the resistor.

If someone can find the schematics on our alternator I could rig something up on my car and find out the resistance required.

If someone else wants to try this out, get a potentiometer and splice it in. Make sure it is at 0 ohms and fire up the car. Slowly adjust the pot until you get the desired voltage and measure the resistance across it. Use a multimeter to check voltage, I don't trust the guage in the dash, and it allows you to do it all under the hood without having to run around the car.

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Alternator Voltage Booster

half the crap they sell for our cars nowadays are just resistors in disguse....

[GinsuGuy585]

Re: Alternator Voltage Booster

I wasn't able to find an adequate pot' in my big box of electronics last night, I'll see if Rat-Shack has what I need.

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Alternator Voltage Booster

so what are we doin again? finding a 50 cent version of that mod?

[RadRacer]

Re: Alternator Voltage Booster

Ya. It's just a resistor. A potentiometer is basically a resistor at well, however it's adjustable. So you can tune it to the required resistance and adjust it if ever needed. If they find the right resistance, then you could go to RS and buy a 5 pack of them for $1, and sell it to all your friends for $10 :D

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Alternator Voltage Booster

true, but i'd rather (if i did buy it) buy the kit simply cuz it looks good, and probably fits better and its only 15 bux. Still if its only a resistor it cant be good for it....

[GinsuGuy585]

Re: Alternator Voltage Booster

Well another idea would be to add a bypass switch, allowing you to run the boosted voltage only when you want to.

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Alternator Voltage Booster

like when its raining at night and you have your headlights, wipers, radio and a/c on.....

[GinsuGuy585]

Re: Alternator Voltage Booster

I don't think it would matter for those occasions. If you turn on every accessory it should automatically sense the load and correct the voltage (to the stock defined voltage) using the correction circuit. The idea of this mod is to make the alt think the voltage is too low when it is not, and because it senses under-voltage it raises it's output thereby raising the actual voltage above stock defined levels.

[ssms5411]

Re: Alternator Voltage Booster

I bought the stage 1 from ZZperformance, It boosted mine about .4 volts. Not bad for the money, but my Alt. is old and I think it is dying. With the Voltage booster on I'm seeing 14.3 volts. With it off I'm seeing 13.8 to 13.9. The Alt. is also making some noise on start up and goes away after driving it.

[Blue02]

Re: Alternator Voltage Booster

Actually it's not a resistor, it is a diode. Notice how stage 1 is .6 volts? That's the voltage drop across one diode, voltage drop across two diodes = 1.2v exactly. Is it worthwhile mod? Well, yes it is going to give more voltage (pressure) to your accessories (amplifiers) BUT, it is not going to do much for the amperage (volume) for them. Amperage is what you what you need for that big bump in the trunk. On the negative side you're going to have shorter battery life, overcharging boils the water out. Also shorter light bulb life at a minimal increase in output. Sorta like those Silverstar Headlights, brighter yes, but you get less than a year out of them. FTL