Looking for 13.5v-13.8v voltage regulator

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backwoodsman

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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

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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

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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

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

Matt69olds

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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

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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.
 

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The regulators in the 1 wire set up are the EXACT same regulators that are used in all other "same style" alternators. The difference is the external hook up to make it a 1 wire system. The standard regulators (2 wire) can be adjusted externally only to INCREASE the output voltage. This is accomplished by adding a "diode" in line with the "sense" wire. each diode will add .7 volts to the output voltage. A "shotsky" diode will add .35 volts to the output voltage. The current going through the diode is nill. so a high current diode is not needed. I have added the std .7 volt diode in my system. It works great in the winter as short trips tend to not fully charge the battery in cold weather. spring time I short across the diode.
Regulator voltages are all over the place, I have some that test out at 12.8 volts up to 16.3 volts. Its what works for you. By the way I get 10-12 years out of any battery that I install in my truck. Every fall I put a trinkle charger on it until the "max" voltage is obtained usually 15.5~ it might take a day or three to get to the max voltage. This removes any and all sulfation that might have started to form. cheap fix better than battery replacement every 2-3 years. I do the same to all my equipment batteries and never get less than 8 years out of them even the riding mower ones!
 

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