16volt vs. 12 volt

[akwhtbst]

This question is about cars with no charging system.

I am not running an alternator on my car and am thinking about buying a 16volt battery.

My electrical system consids of this, Msd starter, bg400 fuel pump, Msd 6al2 the digital box, electric water pump and fan, and switchs and relays to power all that.

Now in buying the 16 volt battery I'll need to get a 16volt charger too.

Will it be worth the extra money to run the 16 volt over a good 12 volt battery? I'll be charging the battery between rounds but would like the option to hot lap the car.

Thanks for any input.

Tim

[candyman]

I have one of each, 16V car no alt, and a 12V car with ALT. If it was a perfect world I would have a 16V system WITH ALT.

No ALT is a pain, being tied to a gen set and charger is no fun. ARP near to hotlaps elimination rounds and at times you will not see the chance to charge late in the day .......

16V works well, will spin the starter on a high comp motor with ease, also increases your run speed / performance of water pumps, fuel pumps, fans.

That being said. A good 12V system is all that you need as 95% of all bracket cars run them. I dont think you will find any actual performance gain from alt vs no alt, or 12V vs 16V apllications that would show up on a time slip.. I do know you will loose measurable performance when you run with no alt and a failing battery if 12 or 16 volts!

That's on my list, 16V alt for the Camaro....................

[akwhtbst]

My main reason for not running the alternator is cost, weight and power to turn it. The weight and the very small gain in et might now out weigh the trouble needed with charging but if it becomes an issue I'll just buy the alternator and bracket at that time.

I guess why I was thinking 16 volt where for those times by chance I made it farther in the rounds and time was short for charging.

Thanks

Tim

[candyman]

Amps x Volts = Watts
Watts / 745.7 (one HP) = Electrical HP Produced by the Alternator
HP x 15% Efficiency Loss = HP Loss
HP + HP Loss = Total HP Used

So.....................

100 Amps x 14 volts = 1400 watts

1400 / 745.7 = 1.87 HP

1.87 HP x .15 = .28 HP

1.87hp+.28HP=2.05 HP

That's the math. Anyone think 5 HP (that is 2x's more than what it would take to drive an alt making 100 amps........) is worth a .1 ET in a low 9 second car?

[semi serious]

Get a low mount deep groove pulley for sure. Earl gets tired of picking up your belts off the track. And put on a switch if you want but remember we are bracket racing. That means you're trying to cut a good light and a consistent time. Speed, while fun, is an option. Consistently having the power that MSD system needs is critical. Never knowing how many times you will need to start that high compression motor because of what's happening in the lanes in front of you is a constant. Knowing when you hit that start button it's coming to life is priceless ;D
I run an alternator and still charge my battery when I get back to the pit till the charger clicks off. Just like my motor I want the battery putting out all it can.
The rest of my tricks I'll keep to myself