The NorthStar AGM Battery + Voltage Booster Upgrade

MK2 microblade arrived 22 days after ordering. Install tomorrow!

 

I have to also add that Ford makes a 1 amp one way diode as well which is a 100% direct fit for our trucks for those looking for alternatives to GM and Littelfuse. I just got mine today. There is no need to trim anything on the housing to fit it in and it fits 05-14 Mustangs Econoline and various other vehicles.






Just to add on to how easy this mod is, it dropped right in and imediately boosted me up to 14.7-14.8 volts at initial start. In Ford I trust.

 

Questions for yous electrical guys: Will an alternator change make the 3rd gens work? I've been talking to a couple of high output alternator sellers. So far I have three that make one for the 3rd gens. Of course the amperage output is much higher, but no one seems to be saying anything about the voltage. I've sent in emails to them asking, but nothing yet. One of the companies did give me a sales spiel stating that the voltage range fell within what's needed, but it also goes lower than needed.

I'm playing with an incomplete deck here and figured I'd get some thoughts from those with much higher IQs than this dumb redneck.

 

Aftermarket high output alternators give higher amp charging ability, the voltage is still regulated by the ECU in the case of the 3rd Gen so it would remain basically unchanged. When you run a very high electrical load, such as a winch that exceeds the amp production capacity of the alternator, it then starts pulling power reserve from the battery while the alternator is peaked out at max amp production. The high output alternators have greater amp production and often are able to produce significantly more amps at idle, so that when huge electrical demands are applied, the alternator has the ability to produce the power required without causing significant drain on the battery, or is at least able to minimize the drain by being able to supply a much greater percentage of the power demand.

Voltage boosting as covered in this thread is not achieved with a high output alternator, it may be able to produce more voltage than stock, but it is still controlled by the ECU. If the alternator itself was modified for higher voltage, it would cook standard flooded batteries.

 

You could look into just putting a smaller pulley on your alternator instead of shelling out for an aftermarket part.

 

You pretty much validated all the figurin' going on inside the head. Appreciate ya.

 

A 5 dollar diode and voltage sense wire relocate is one would ever need to sufficiently provide the proper voltage to maintain an AGM battery(s)...

 

Just got the .5volt booster fuse and installed it today. 14.2 was most I've seen before, now at 14.7

Edit: thanks OP for the heads up.

 

having trouble with my battery, dont recall how long ive had it in truck. bro said its been having trouble starting when it gets cold.... so looks like i may have to up the charging voltage....
any suggestions on which route to take to fix the charging problem...
Just happy to be back stateside...

 

I wouldn't expect upping the charging voltage to fix a weak start. The NorthStar is rated to sit 2 years and hold a charge (granted that isn't at below freezing temps). But if it is a regular issue I'd get your alternator tested as it sounds like the battery isn't being sufficiently charged. And autoparts store can test is for free.

 

I’m not good with this stuff. I have two Odyssey AGM group 35 batteries. Would I be smart to do this?

 

Yes. Either that or plug them into a battery maintainer once a month.

 

will check what the volatages are tomorrow in the AM before and after starting.... just seems odd... he claims its been charging for less then a month after it happened. Check the voltage was no where what yall are seeing

 

Should I be looking at the voltage booster in the OP or can I use the below?

 

You’re looking for something to increase the voltage by +0.5v. I used a dedicated product specifically designed for this application that maintains the fuse function. Others have come up with different mechanisms to do it which can work too, you just don’t want to exceed 14.8v. I haven’t tested that one personally. Note that one time startup readings can vary depending on temperature and how long the truck has been sitting which is why I used data logging over time to track the solutions presented in this thread.

 

Thanks for the info. Just to confirm I’m looking for the below?
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Alternator-...258810?hash=item33e40b023a:g:TxAAAOSw2Ehang63

 

Yes. That’s the same product I have in my truck. I also ordered via eBay.

 

I think it may have been slightly cheaper to order direct and cut out the eBay middle man, but yes.

 

Well I ordered the 0.5v booster. We’ll see how long it takes.

From what I see in my truck (dual voltmeter) my dual AGM batteries are at 14.2v at startup. Will update once the booster is in.

 

Too low for AGM. 14.7v will be perfect.