The NorthStar AGM Battery + Voltage Booster Upgrade

This has been discussed before (probably in the other thread). As voltage goes up, amperage goes down assuming the same amount of power. So in theory the alternator is actually working just a little bit less after the booster. That being said, the concern is overvoltage of the electronics in the truck like the ECU etc. So thats why you dont want to see more than 15 volts.

 

Ok thanks man I'll have a look for that other thread

 

Im having a brain cramp this morning and cant find that other thread.. But basically that was the consensus. No issues expected when running the voltage booster. Some folks have been running that way for many years now

 

I’m going into year 5, if memory serves, of running the HKB fixed booster. I’ve had zero issues to speak of.

 

Yeah I seen that alot of people in threads similar to this have been running it and its working well with them. I think one guy killed his alternator, I forget the exact details on that one but he did the gm diode swap not using the mk boosters.

Another thing though is the instruction manual for Odyssey batteries says for the most battery life it is best when its charged to 100% at 14.7V for 6-8hrs (if fully depleted) and then trickle/float charged at 13.5-13.8V (recomended 13.6V) afterwards. I would think you do that manually with the mk4 booster if you wanted, also doesn't say that holding it constant at 14.7V charge is bad either so it looks like a take your pick kinda deal

 

14.7-14.8 volts is typical of a cold start, it will automatically go down to the 14.1-14.3 ish range over time as the truck warms up. The booster is a fixed boost over the entire stock charging range.

 

Good to hear! I ordered the mk4 from them

 

Yeah I'm aware of that, I'm talking about the mk4 booster being its adjustable to keep it at 14.7V to "fully charge it" for that periode and could take away the boost and run it at the normal float charge if I wanted to. But knowing the 14.7V boost has been working fine for everyone there isn't really a sense in doing it either other than my curiosity

 

My son and I are coming up on two years with zero problems. (His is an '04 and mine is a '13.)

 

I have just added the HBK fixed voltage booster fuse for my AGM battery. I now see the battery light on my dash, this is because the new boots reviews is tricking the system into deeing less voltage correct?

 

It’s installed backward. Flip the HKB fuse around.

 

Ty !

 

Any alternatives to the hkb? They are all out of stock

 

I also emailed them last week inquiring about restocking and never heard back.

 

If you look on the HKB website main page it says they are closed right now for several months:

2/ We will be closed from the 19/4/2022 until the12/8/2022, no orders will be during this period, you may pre-order items which will be shipped on a first in first out basis ASAP after the 12/8/2022.

 

12/8/2022! Yikes! Nice vacation!
So alternatives are definitely needed! GM diode maybe?

$14 Littelfuse 02400104P 1A Mini Diode Automotive Fuse-4Pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015YSU24G

 

I tried the diode method with fuse taps to keep a fuse in-line for protection and it gave me more than +0.5v (actually closer to 0.7-0.8v) which I don't like. I ordered the HKB fixed fuse to see what that gives me but I'm waiting to install it until after I do a water pump/pulleys/tensioner maintenance for true readings. If that doesn't solve it I will eventually bite the bullet and order the HKB adjustable which is what I probably should have done in the first place.

 

What does the water pump and pullies have to do with charging voltage?

 

Bought my truck used and likely maintenance was never done. Have about 111k miles now so it's time. Something on my system is currently squealing meaning I either have a worn belt, weak tensioner, bad pulley, water pump starting to fail, or all of the above. At this point I have no idea which one but I have all the parts to replace them all. Overkill? Maybe. Cheap insurance to prevent me from having future problems when I'm up in the mountains? Yeah, in this case shooting a whole parts cannon at it is cheap peace of mind versus cost of a tow truck to 10k feet elevation.

Back to the real point and how this relates to the charging/battery: I want to be 100% sure the serpentine system - especially the belt and tensioner - are in the best condition possible before I start giving false data on this thread. I don't doubt the current setup should be fine, but again I just want to be 100% sure so as not to mislead others because the consequences of doings mods like this to the charging system has much larger repercussions. Also once upon a time I chased electrical gremlins on another vehicle and turned out the belt/tensioner weren't fully driving the alternator which caused other weird things so I'm protecting against my own paranoia from past events.

 

Jesus christ what a mark-up at Amazon..

Same fuse at the parts store..

Mines been installed since 2019 and not one problem handling two batteries, ton of accessories and a winch with regular use..