1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by crashnburn80, Oct 27, 2015.

  1. Mar 11, 2019 at 11:13 AM
    #1861
    Scott B.

    Scott B. Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2014
    Member:
    #142118
    Messages:
    4,223
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2015 ACLB SR5 4x4 Expo
    OP, have you seen this?

    The HKB Electronics Alternator Voltage Booster https://www.hkbelect.com/products/toyota/

    A solid state silicon diode, causing the regulator to see a voltage drop, which increases the charging voltage.

    AGM Batteries typically require a slightly higher charging voltage. Odyssey, as an example, are great w/ 14.8V constant voltage (stay below 15v or risk venting). Your vehicle based electronics will, however, signal an over voltage condition. The Toyota alternators generally output 14.2-14.3V w/ no load.

    EDIT: I just purchased one, but have not installed it yet.
     
  2. Mar 11, 2019 at 2:04 PM
    #1862
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Interesting. I have not seen that. Ive heard of hacks adding resisters to increase voltage but not something purpose built that is adjustable. I’m tempted to experiment with it, certainly cheaper than an alternator upgrade.

    The overvoltage condition had occurred to me, though I’m not certain what the voltage threshold is throwing an error. I’d hope companies that built expensive high end vehicle specific alternators for AGMs would design the output voltage level to not trigger over-voltage errors. But being able to adjust the setting is nice, though in general I’m not a huge fan of add-ons that try an alter signals to OEM running gear. For the price it is worth the experiment. Since you ordered, did they give an expected delivery date?
     
  3. Mar 11, 2019 at 2:32 PM
    #1863
    Scott B.

    Scott B. Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2014
    Member:
    #142118
    Messages:
    4,223
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2015 ACLB SR5 4x4 Expo
    I have received it. It took 2 or 3 weeks to get here.

    I probably won't have time to get it installed for another 2 or 3 weeks. Not that it is difficult - but I want to have enough time to take plenty of voltage readings, before and after.

    I will post up once I install it.
     
  4. Mar 11, 2019 at 3:22 PM
    #1864
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Yes, supporting voltage readings before and after are a definite must have.
     
  5. Mar 11, 2019 at 4:06 PM
    #1865
    FastEddy59

    FastEddy59 TTC #0061

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2017
    Member:
    #208155
    Messages:
    24,252
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eddie
    Smack, Dab in the middle of Winnipeg
    Vehicle:
    '13 Barc. Red Tacoma SR5 4X4
    Rigid 23004 Radiance light bar Cheap 3K 18W LED Fogs General AT-2's Pioneer AVH4200NEX w/ iDatalink JL XD5003V2 Focal 165KRX2's JL 10TW3 Arcticstart 803
    Have You considered an Alternator upgrade & Electric Fan for low speed, high Temp. Wheelin'? I don't think capacity is that much of a problem.
     
  6. Mar 11, 2019 at 4:40 PM
    #1866
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Good point. I have done that setup on earlier trucks and it does work exceptionally well for that use case of high temp, high load, low speed off road. What I didn't like about it was the hair dryer fan noise the rest of the time in daily driving. Usually aftermarket ones come with a programmable temperature probe, which I question the reliability on, or you need to get creative for better OEM integration. I used a high performance aftermarket electric fan with a probe in the past. I know Roostfactor came up with a setup using I think a Thunderbird OEM electric fan and made a custom shroud and was able to integrate is much more seamlessly into the OEM setup. I do like the simplicity and reliability of mechanical fans and would rather not go through the effort of reengineering the system for something I experience 1-2x a year if I can avoid it.
     
    FastEddy59[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Mar 11, 2019 at 4:59 PM
    #1867
    Yo'ta

    Yo'ta Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2017
    Member:
    #236706
    Messages:
    128
    Gender:
    Male
    Chemistry dictates that Lead-Acid batteries have a specific voltage per cell, I believe that resting voltage is approx 2.1 volts x 6 cells = approx 12.6v, but higher while charging.

    14.4v-14.8v sounds more like a lithium battery, as they have a higher voltage per cell.

    At the risk of sounding skeptical, I will be interested to learn how Northstar is overcoming the laws of chemistry... or my 4 semesters (decades ago) understanding of it to offer a higher voltage. Also, aren't charging voltages limited within a truck's system to a voltage under 14.8v?.

    JL


     
    Rick_Taco likes this.
  8. Mar 11, 2019 at 6:35 PM
    #1868
    Retumbo7

    Retumbo7 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2019
    Member:
    #286136
    Messages:
    200
    Gender:
    Male
    SF Bay Area
    I just want to say thank you! So much great information here.
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
  9. Mar 12, 2019 at 12:09 AM
    #1869
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    While I have studied automotive extensively, I do not claim to be an electrical battery chemistry expert. Based on what I have found, Northstar offers unparalleled power density, well beyond others in the industry. You can read their high level pdf below explaining what makes them different. Technology refinement has likely changed significantly over decades.
    https://www.northstarbattery.com/media.ashx/nsbautomotivebatteries.pdf

    Specs on top of the battery, cycle service 14.4-14.8v. This is a Made in the USA top of the line high tech battery, for a top dollar premium, not some foreign made over promised part, meaning I am more likely to trust the specs.

    fullsizeoutput_e61.jpg

    Obviously there is an upper limit to charing voltage. I cannot imagine it is much if any higher than 14.8, though I do not know what the programmed limit is.

    I'm just exploring possibilities here. Clearly the Northstar AGM offers opportunities for growth, I'm looking to exploit that maximum advantage while minimizing negative impact, as any kind of reduction in performance or error codes are not acceptable in my build.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2019
    Norton and Rick_Taco like this.
  10. Mar 12, 2019 at 12:43 AM
    #1870
    Shadowhunter

    Shadowhunter Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2017
    Member:
    #214241
    Messages:
    3,778
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Birdsview Washington
    Vehicle:
    13’ DCSB MT Sport
    Whats under the truck? OME 886’s Nitro Chargers 1/4” top plate spacers 1.5” Icon add-a-leaf for a total of 3” front and rear. 275/80/17 MTR’s SCS Ray10’ URD Stage 2 clutch Heavy Flywheel Clutch Masters Hydro Bering What’s on the front? Cbi bumper steel. Smittybilt X20 10k Under the hood? Ultimate headlight and fog light harnesses 100w/90w H4Headlights 9011 60wHir Fogs Anytime fog mod Northstar Group 34 14.7 Voltage booster Red Line hood struts K&N replacement filter on secondary air pump K&N air cleaner Donbison Snorkle In the cab? Wet Okie seat covers Petal Comander Meso Maps and Dome Molle panels on the consol Flyeyze Under the climate controls,glove box and center consol TRD Logo plates over door latches Weather Tech Floor mats with Custom TRD stickers Weather Tech Rain guards Weather Tech bug shield Full Head liner of patches On the bed? Snug-top Rebel Yakima racks Chinese knock off bat wing awning with walls Water Port Quick Fists Mount Bed Mat Anti theft tail gate bracket Trailer plug relocate Coms? Buofeng Navigation Garmin Alpha 100 ( Hound hunting GPS System) ECGS Bushing Cobra Rx75 Cb Home made sleeping platform with drawers. On the bench waiting to go in? 3* Cam Gears. Powder Coated Valve Covers Custom 3/4” intake spacer
    I have the same battery. It’s a beast. I don’t have any scientific data but I swear my heater fan blows harder, dash lights are brighter and my headlights are pure fire.
     
  11. Mar 12, 2019 at 7:41 AM
    #1871
    Yo'ta

    Yo'ta Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2017
    Member:
    #236706
    Messages:
    128
    Gender:
    Male
    Battery-agra!


     
  12. Mar 12, 2019 at 7:57 AM
    #1872
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    All those things will be true when the vehicle is not running, as is easily noticable by the starter. When it is running you are on alternator power.
     
  13. Mar 12, 2019 at 8:04 AM
    #1873
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2017
    Member:
    #208501
    Messages:
    3,704
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    South shore of Lake Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2021 4Runner SR5 Premium
    You guys can try all of the fancy unproven stuff you want. I'm sticking with my good old fashioned Flux Capacitor.
     
  14. Mar 12, 2019 at 9:08 AM
    #1874
    Lurkin

    Lurkin Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2009
    Member:
    #17497
    Messages:
    22,350
    First Name:
    Rod
    Pearland, TX
    Vehicle:
    09 PreRunner SR5 DC
    Silly poster, the flux capacitor is the engine, the power unit is a plutonium reactor, a Mr. Fusion Home Energy Reactor, or a bolt of lightning.

    :D
     
  15. Mar 12, 2019 at 9:15 AM
    #1875
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Those are hazardous for us supercharged guys, with the 88mph limit and all.
     
    303tacoma likes this.
  16. Mar 12, 2019 at 12:20 PM
    #1876
    SaphiraTaco

    SaphiraTaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2018
    Member:
    #243869
    Messages:
    483
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    Seattle WA
    Vehicle:
    2013 DCLB TRD Sport
    About halfway done...
    I have looked at this one also. $20 for shipping just kills me:angrygirl:
     
  17. Mar 12, 2019 at 12:48 PM
    #1877
    Scott B.

    Scott B. Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2014
    Member:
    #142118
    Messages:
    4,223
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2015 ACLB SR5 4x4 Expo
    I know.

    The part was only $60...
     
  18. Mar 12, 2019 at 2:28 PM
    #1878
    Toy4me

    Toy4me Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2012
    Member:
    #85061
    Messages:
    3,733
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    NNJ
    Vehicle:
    '10 DCLB TRD Sport MGM
    Agree. I hate being screwed on shipping. Jeez just toss it in a little bubble wrap envelope for a $1.
     
    Ngneer likes this.
  19. Mar 12, 2019 at 4:55 PM
    #1879
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,563
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    Good news, the donated 2nd Gen headlight assemblies showed up today! One step closer to bench testing H4s. Special thanks to @jet123
    Bad news, the power supplies I ordered are out of stock on back-order. The suggested alternative is a $100 upgrade to go from a 15v supply to a 30v, bumping cost from nearly $350 to nearly $450 for a higher voltage feature I do not need. Arg. :annoyed:
     
  20. Mar 13, 2019 at 6:11 AM
    #1880
    Scott B.

    Scott B. Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2014
    Member:
    #142118
    Messages:
    4,223
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2015 ACLB SR5 4x4 Expo
    I assume the Australian government does not fund the international shipping costs like the Chinese government does...
     

Products Discussed in

To Top