Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Anybody ever check for AC voltage out of their 16 volt charger?
I have always downloaded my FAST internal data logger, and made any tuning tweaks while the charger is running. At the Noble points race (last one for Div 4 each year) I lost one MSD box and two FAST XFI ECUs before I think I figured out what was happening. Think the rectifier in my charger failed. It puts out 40 volts AC!
Evidently time for a new charger.

Thanks to Slate Cummings for loaning me his spare ECU so I could race. Attempted to anyway. Bye first round, went red second. I really suck. LOL

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

I have had problems with the XS & turbo start chargers, found the Moroso 12 & 16V the best.... they are heavy duty!

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Beat yourself up if you chose but at least you have friends willing to help you when you need it. Friendship ends in the water box !;)

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Lots of good guys racing in a Div 4. Great guys from Louisiana.

Yep, none of the Cummings guys cut me any slack. Beat me like a step child. Think they could go easy on an old guy, but Noooooo.

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Cool! I will check on that. Need to make a change. Handy to have one that will charge both. Had no idea anybody made one.

Thanks Tom!!

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

I always have the power to the car turned off when charging the batteries to prevent those types of problems. Dyno

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Ed there is a place in Ok city that fix mine 50.00or 60.00 dollars a couple of years ago been good as new since.

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

I turn the batt off now. Didn't for four years. Then all that carnage in one weekend. Has anybody else checked their 16 volt charger for AC voltage? When an automotive alternator does that it's because the rectifier failed. That converts AC to DC. Not sure about a charger.

MSD replaced that box, FAST fixed both ECUs. Kinda pricey weekend.

I turned the master cut off switch off while Slate's ECU & my back up MSD box was in it. Have not had another race, but will do that from now on .
Scared of that charger now.

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

I've always been told to never have charger hooked up with any electronics on in the car. Tough to do I know when you're in a hurry but I've never had an issue. I believe mine charges at 18 plus volts. However I'll admit I've never tested for any AC voltage while charging.

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

i have ben rewiring my PK Cavalier and plan on adding a quick disconnect electrical connection at the front of the car. My plan is to be able to come back to the trailer, push off the main disconnect from the rear of the car and hook up the 16 volt charger. then pop the hood and connect a 12 volt charger to the disconnect up front that will add power to the cockpit wiring. This will allow 12 volts to the water pump and fan for cooling and if required, to the msd and race pak (and later the FAST FI system) for downloading purposes. i have seen where the 16 volt charger has been charging my system as high as 19.4 volts. As far as i can figure this only happens if i charge the batteries through the week prior to a weekend race, and only after the first couple of runs.

Ian

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Ed,

I've popped the MSD high end chip a couple of times when charging with the main switch on. Only happened when the charger to the post connection was "sparked" by someone plugging in the charger first or accidentally knocking it off while charging.

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Ian, I have mine wired right now with a plug under the hood for a 12 volt cool-down battery. (thanks Mike Edwards!) I guess I need to look into doing something there. Right now I have a four pin Weather Pack connector I unplug the fans & water pump from the car, and connect to the cool down battery. Might need a six pin, and not put anything in the car side of two going to the ECU so it won't back feed.

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Scott, I have the female plugs like found on a welder recessed into the left rear fender. I never plug or unplug the cables with the charger turned on. No crew to "help ", most always just me. Only have to look in the mirror to find the guy that messed up. LOL
I think high AC volts got everything. Won't happen again. A couple of guys were going to check their 16 volt chargers for AC, but I have not heard back. I know a leaky rectifier in a street car alternator gives the computer fits.

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Jim, do you remember the name of the place?

Thanks!

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

i am assuming i want feed back to the modules - i want to check my race pak between runs, and make adjustments to the MSD (shift points, launch rpm, timing et) - i am bringing this up, more to get your opinion to make sure i am not missing something here, as i haven't actually hooked the batteries up to test what i have installed yet!


Ian

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Yes, Ian, I messed my stuff up downloading my FAST internal data logger, and killed an MSD box also, doing that with the battery charger going. My charger shows 19.2 volts DC. I think the 40 volts AC is what hurt things. Got away with this for four years, then it took a bite out of my rear at the Noble, OK LODRS at the end of the season. Never checked for AC voltage before this. Have not heard back from anybody yet about their 16 volt chargers putting out AC. Kinda think they don't.

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Not off the top of my head, but it seems like tubo start sent me to them.I will see if i can find the ticket and let you know

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Thanks Jim!
OKC is not far from me.

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Ed, Quick Charge Corp 1032 S.W. 22nd ST Okla city 1800 658-2841 or 405-632-5667 Hope this helps

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Thanks Jim! This is a big help!

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Ed.....rectifiers in a battery charger are similar to what is in most old style welders with DC weld output. There are various designs but most often is a set of diodes mounted on a set of plates. A diode does one of two things......dead shorts or blows open. In a dead short the machine will often blow the AC line breaker feeding it when it is turned on. If the diode blows open.....no DC output....and seeing an AC output on the DC output side is not something I have ever seen.

One issue you could easily have is a generator that is running at too high a speed and this will cause it to put out too high an AC voltage. Their voltage regulators can only regulate properly if engine speed is close to what it should be......So if you are putting well above 120 volts into your battery charger your DC output will be higher......I have seen generators go to max voltage with failed regulators. Even at normal engine speed the AC output is up to 160 volts.

Had a buddy lend his cheap generator to a guy when we were racing one weekend this past summer......I thought his generator sounded like it was running fast but it was dark and we were busy......a few minutes later the battery charger the guy was using went up in a shower of sparks and smoke........Sad part is the generator was one he got from my place and he had lots of use on it.....somehow the throttle hung up and no one noticed until it was too late.......1 scrapped battery charger and we scrapped the generator.....it was not worth messing with.....he got his use out of it and it was as cheap as they come....Offshore built.....He bought a Honda to replace it.....2 of them...

Re: Speaking of 16 volts.....
 

Rich, I have had leaking diodes in automotive alternators allow some AC voltage. The automotive ECUs hate it. I don't know if a battery charger can do that. Mine shows 40 volts AC plugged into the wall in my garage.