Alternator Voltage Booster (1 Viewer)

[danadog]

I stumbled upon a product today called a Alternator Voltage Booster by HBK Electronics in AU. It seems kind of interesting, a fuse type product that increases the charging voltage of your alternator. It also seems like a potential wiring harness meltdown! Anyone have any experience? Here is the link:

http://www.hkbelect.com/product/103-mk3-mini-blade-75a-electronic-fuse-version-1996/

 

[superjuice]

I think this is more for charging a second battery at low current, like for a trailer battery for electric brakes?
It's only rated for 1 amp continuous and 30 amps for 8.3 seconds, kinda weird. Sounds like a buck boost converter in a fuse. Maybe I'm reading something wrong in the specs because the main page says this.

From the main page:
Welcome to HKB Electronicsthe home of the Alternator Voltage Booster.

The Alternator Voltage Booster was the first of its type on the market and is the only unit available that was has been purpose built for alternator voltage boosting.

The alternator voltage booster is an essential item when installing a dual battery system in modern vehicle that has a low output voltage alternator. The alternator voltage booster is the simplest and cheapest way to obtain a suitable charge voltage for the main and dual battery, it will increase the alternator output voltage by approximately .5V - .6V giving a much improved charge voltage for your batteries and greatly reducing the time it takes to recharge them. Why buy an expensive DC/DC charger when the Alternator Voltage Booster this will do the job better at a fraction of the cost?

The Alternator Voltage Booster is also ideal for the following applications:

* When a conventional lead acid battery is being replaced by a calcium hybrid type.

* High performance engine improvements.

* Maximising the output power on high power car audio equipment.

For further information please refer to the FAQ area or contact our help line.

 

[blkprj80]

Snake Oil?

 

[Cruzerman]

I think this is basically a diode on the sense line of the alternator. This makes the alternator think the voltage is .6V lower than it actually is, so it raises the output voltage. I suspect you either replace the fuse that feeds the sense line of the alternator or put this inline. However, I could be totally wrong

 

[george_tlc]

I think this is basically a diode on the sense line of the alternator. This makes the alternator think the voltage is .6V lower than it actually is, so it raises the output voltage. I suspect you either replace the fuse that feeds the sense line of the alternator or put this inline. However, I could be totally wrong

Yes, exactly. It's a diode that due to its forward voltage can 'trick' the alternator/regulator in increasing its output voltage. The 'innovation' in the stupidly expensive 'fuse' is they added a PTC device (resettable temperature sensitive fuse) in series with the diode. An amazing markup/ripoff for what must cost all of $1 to make including profit...

cheers,
george.