Male seeking Advice - Electrical Wattage Loss Issues and Potential Solutions

Our smart alternators have variable output for improved gas mileage. The voltage booster replaces a low amp fuse under the hood that tells the ECU what voltage the alternator is putting out. The booster tells the ECU that the alternator is putting out less voltage than it really is, so the ECU tells the alternator to crank up the voltage. It's mainly needed if you swap to an AGM, as most require higher voltage to fully charge. I think it boosted mine about 0.4 - 0.5 volts. Pretty sure this is what I bought. Comes from Australia, so it took awhile. I've been running it for over 3 years.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224393420344

 

Before going down a rabbit hole of whether there is an issue with alternator, you need to measure what the input voltage is with the biolite plugged in and drawing current to rule out any high resistance sections. That is the low hanging fruit to rule out and it working with cigarette lighter shows this.

 

I agree the 12v cig lighter plug isnt ideal. I plan to remove the 12v cig male/female section when i install the DC-to-DC charger. I will run directly to the blue sea fuse block

 

Once i get this all setup, i will look more into it as my potential next step. This seems to be a popular brand - https://voltageboosterpro.com/product/og/

 

Definitely something worth looking into, but as @92se-r said, this isn't probably the best thing to fix your current issue.


As for the voltage booster you linked and the one I did, I just like the form factor of the HKB Electronics a whole lot better. Look like a lot less to go wrong, too. Not to mention the fact I have never heard of those guys before, they definitely aren't the O.G., lol. HKB has been selling these things for ages. This is the V3 of the product. It used to be larger with a set of dip switches for adjustment, but they've kept improving until it's now all fit in a micro blade fuse. Several people have done this DIY though, so I'm sure the one you linked will work fine, just not as pretty



Here's a link to the actual seller's website, not the Ebay link.

https://www.hkbelect.com/product/182-mk2-micro-blade-75a-electronic-fuse-version-2011/

 

Installed a Victron Orion TC DC/DC charger.. seems to be working. I will report back

 

I would still do those voltage drop measurements because if you have a high resistance connection, you are at risk of a fire.

 

my connections are solid but i plan to do a once-over today