I have a 16v Regulator that came with my new alternator. I was told unless I run dual alternators I can't run 16v continuous power in the car. Also they said 16v on newer cars could cause damage. Can you please explain why it will or won't work?

(I was on a forum with a bunch of 15 year olds trying to explain it LOL)

Quote from the forum:



You cannot run 16v as your only alternator.

Wasted your money.

This post has been edited by Glock23: Aug 31 2008, 01:50 AM

Aha. Well, if you run 16v in your car, you risk damaging sensitive components such as your PCM, BCM and other various pieces of circuitry throughout your vehicle. Also, You will decrease your battery life substantially. Vehicles are based off a 12v system, manufactures create alternators to put out 13.4-14.7v so you don't damage these sensitive systems, while still effectively charging your battery, and reducing amperage required to run everything. I would just put the new alternator on and see what voltage it actually puts out with it running, if it truly is putting out 16, get a new regulator put in it. (don't use the gauge to judge this either... use a voltmeter or AVR)

In addition to potentially damaging electrical systems in your car, you can also overcharge the battery... this can lead to a buildup of hydrogen gas. Car batteries are vented to allow this gas to dissipate, but if you overcharge at a high enough rate, the gas can build up and cause the battery to explode.

I'm not sure if 16v would be enough to cause a battery explosion... but I would not want to run my electrical system with that kind of voltage for long.

Naw, 16v isn't quite enough to make a battery explode, but it will for sure shorten the life expectancy substantially.

This post has been edited by liquid_02: Aug 31 2008, 06:47 PM

Why would you use a 16v alt then? To charge an audio battery or something? (serious question)

I have non standard batterys for car audio. 1 is 16V. The guy that made the alternator for my car sold me a regulator that will allow 16v current. Just


Sounds to me like I just need to install the regulator he sold me :)
Quote:

if it truly is putting out 16, get a new regulator put in it. (don't use the gauge to judge this either... use a voltmeter or AVR)

Glock23 I would really suggest buying a factory service manual to answer this question. All of our answers will be educated speculations without looking at the voltage tolarences in the Accent FSM.

Your biggest concern will be the PCM/ECU. If the ECU can handle it, than there is a good chance all the other electronic components in the car handle it as well.


I dont know how much this will relate, but on my last car, a nissan. The ECU was calibrated to handle from 9V - 17V without an issue. Otherwise protections circuits would kick in and shut your car off. Still, the FSM should have this information listed. Either in the emissions section or the charging system section.