Looking for 13.5v-13.8v voltage regulator

backwoodsman · Monday at 2:58 PM

Hi all,

I'm looking for a voltage regulator with a lower than normal set point, 13.5v-13.8v, for a 12SI alternator. I've seen a 13.5v one-wire regulator, but I'd prefer not to go one-wire. Anyone know where I might find one? Or maybe an adjustable regulator, if one exists. Thanks.

TotalyHucked · Monday at 3:07 PM

I'm of no help, I've never heard of such a thing but I'm curious as to why/what the application would be?

backwoodsman · Monday at 3:36 PM

TotalyHucked said:
I'm of no help, I've never heard of such a thing but I'm curious as to why/what the application would be?

I want to be a little easier on the batteries. When you hold a fully-charged battery at a voltage above its float charge voltage, it's being overcharged, which shortens its lifespan. A lead-acid battery's float charge voltage is 13.2v for flooded cell, and 13.5v-13.6v for AGM. They run higher voltages because the battery recharges faster, but that's not an issue unless the engine only runs a few minutes at a time.

TotalyHucked · Monday at 4:13 PM

Interesting, learn something new everyday. Electronics admittedly are my weak point.

Matt69olds · Monday at 8:54 PM

The resting voltage of a fully charged battery is around 12.6-12.8. To the best of my knowledge, regulators have always been calibrated to put the charging system voltage around 14.2-14.5. I have no clue how you could cheat that, other than converting to an older externally regulated alternator setup. If I remember correctly, you could tweak those a little.

Just my opinion, but I think you’re trying to solve an issue that isn’t really there. Make sure the cables are of the correct size, solid connections, and measure the voltage drop under a heavy electrical load.

backwoodsman · Tuesday at 1:22 AM

Matt69olds said:
To the best of my knowledge, regulators have always been calibrated to put the charging system voltage around 14.2-14.5. I have no clue how you could cheat that, other than converting to an older externally regulated alternator setup.

Voltage regulators are made in lots of different voltages. I just haven't found one in the range I want, except 1-wire, which I'd rather not do. Car manufacturers use the higher voltages so the battery recharges faster; they don't care that it shortens the battery's lifespan, but I do, so I want to run a voltage that's better for the battery.

Looking for 13.5v-13.8v voltage regulator

backwoodsman

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TotalyHucked

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backwoodsman

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TotalyHucked

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Matt69olds

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