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Mechman Alternators

Cold weather and high charging voltage, any cause for concern?


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Took this picture the other day when the temperature was around the -30 Celsius (around -20f i think) neighborhood.

Supposed to be in that temperature range for the next few days until the new year.

I'd like to hear some thoughts on this from anyone in the Mechman crew.

46934209-8E08-42EB-A4EC-B8536704FD19_zps

This is the voltage as seen at my 2K inputs at idle (725-ish rpm) with a cold engine, system isn't running in this image, gotta let everything warm up in the cab of the truck for 10-15 minutes before i let it wang.

It will spike briefly into the 15.5- 15.8v range for maybe a 1/4 second (just a quick red blink on the VM-1) when i listening to tunes at 2/3-3/4 volume and above.

My 2k hasn't had any high voltage protection issue's (supposed to engage at 15.5v give or take 0.2-0.3v AFAIK) but i'm curious if anyone else has this (non?) issue?

Not sure if this will have a long term negative effect on my three NSB AGM batteries?

 

 

 

 

Edited by Markous

'07 Ford Ranger - DM-608 I E700.4 I SA-CX6.5 v2 I SAZ-1500D 15th (x2) I Zv6 12" D1 I SB500-34 I JP40 I

On 5/21/2015 at 7:07 PM, boom50cal said:

of course he gives no fucks. it's a ford ranger.

only bad mother fuckers drive ford rangers

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DERP

Edited by Markous
meant to edit OP

'07 Ford Ranger - DM-608 I E700.4 I SA-CX6.5 v2 I SAZ-1500D 15th (x2) I Zv6 12" D1 I SB500-34 I JP40 I

On 5/21/2015 at 7:07 PM, boom50cal said:

of course he gives no fucks. it's a ford ranger.

only bad mother fuckers drive ford rangers

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I got the same batteries, same cold weather voltage. To be fair, you only get that high voltage at startup, it doesn't stay like that all day.

Here is what Northstar says in the user manual about this:

Thermal Compensation

The optimum level for float charging the NSB
automotive and marine batteries is 2.27 volts/cell
at +25°C (+77°F) (which is 13.62 v). If the battery temperature
increases above this level, a thermal
compensation of -4 mV/cell/°C is recommended.
Conversely, if the temperature decreases below
25°C, the voltage should be increased by 4
mV/cell/°C.
-> So at minus 30 degrees C you should give it an extra 220 mV per cell, which is 2.49 V per cell, which is 14.94 V total. And that's Float charging which is the voltage at which a battery is maintained after being fully charged, to maintain that capacity by compensating for self-discharge.
 
I think 15.2 V for a short period in the cold weather is fine, but let's see what others say.
 
Edited by alex912005
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Thank you Alex for dropping some knowledge here, it is seriously appreciated ☺️?

I'll be honest, i haven't bothered to check the VM-1 after i've been running for awhile, just want to GTFO when i get home after being out and about for a while.

Luckily it's only supposed to get up to a balmy high of -29c here in the city today and i've got some running around to do so i will report beck with an image of a "hot" voltage after it's been running for an hour or two.

I've got a Fluke 325 dc clamp meter i'm curious what kind of draw my system creates with these conditions, i'll throw it on for giggles and shits too.

'07 Ford Ranger - DM-608 I E700.4 I SA-CX6.5 v2 I SAZ-1500D 15th (x2) I Zv6 12" D1 I SB500-34 I JP40 I

On 5/21/2015 at 7:07 PM, boom50cal said:

of course he gives no fucks. it's a ford ranger.

only bad mother fuckers drive ford rangers

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Although I don't have much to add, I am curious as to what your resting voltage is when sitting overnight at low temperature with the truck off? As long as the batteries are charged, they shouldn't freeze. But with the high initial voltage, it makes me think that the amperage is near zero until the electrolyte "gets going". Almost like the higher voltage is the alternators unloaded voltage. As long as the battery cases don't start to bulge from excessive electrolyte outlasting, then I would say you are ok. Block heater on a gasoline motor? Yeah that's cold. I am not sure at what point a battery heater is needed.

91 C350 Centurion conversion ( Four Door One Ton Bronco)

250A Alternator (Second Alternator Coming Soon)

G65 AGM Up Front  / Two G31 AGM in Back

Pioneer 80PRS

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CT Sounds AT125.2 / Lanzar Pro 8" coax w/compression horn tweeter Rear Fill

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Two HDS315 Four Qubes Each 34hz (Two HDC3.118 and New Box Coming Soon)

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My batteries are a re-branded Northstar sold under the Motomaster brand name at Canadian Tire stores up here in Canuckistan they even add an extra year to the warranty for 5 years of coverage.

They have two CCA ratings, the regular one at 0F and another at -20f which was the biggest selling point for me. Having approx. 1500 amps of cold cranking current on tap in this kind of weather we are experiencing is very re-assuring that the little 3.0L in my truck will spin over with ease, even if spends the night outside.

NSBAGM65M_zps5497b03c.png

Not really worried about them freezing but i have briefly given the battery blanket idea some thought, but i park underground in an unheated underground (but easily 10-20c above outside ambient) garage and do not have access to a plug in for such a thing.

I do not know anyone personally but i've heard of folks knocking out another frost plug and running two block heaters.

Edited by Markous

'07 Ford Ranger - DM-608 I E700.4 I SA-CX6.5 v2 I SAZ-1500D 15th (x2) I Zv6 12" D1 I SB500-34 I JP40 I

On 5/21/2015 at 7:07 PM, boom50cal said:

of course he gives no fucks. it's a ford ranger.

only bad mother fuckers drive ford rangers

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derped again

Edited by Markous
2nd time in as many days i've gone to edit and accidently quote my post

'07 Ford Ranger - DM-608 I E700.4 I SA-CX6.5 v2 I SAZ-1500D 15th (x2) I Zv6 12" D1 I SB500-34 I JP40 I

On 5/21/2015 at 7:07 PM, boom50cal said:

of course he gives no fucks. it's a ford ranger.

only bad mother fuckers drive ford rangers

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I'll be checking that today, when i usually get home i just want to get out and get inside.

Gonna compare the VM-1 to my Fluke 325 and see what we get.

I'll be sure to get some shots to share in this thread.

'07 Ford Ranger - DM-608 I E700.4 I SA-CX6.5 v2 I SAZ-1500D 15th (x2) I Zv6 12" D1 I SB500-34 I JP40 I

On 5/21/2015 at 7:07 PM, boom50cal said:

of course he gives no fucks. it's a ford ranger.

only bad mother fuckers drive ford rangers

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