RE: (ET) Battery Question

[badfishracing att net]

Some drag cars run a 16 volt system.  Without running an 
alternator, this ensures that even when nearing 
discharged, a 16 volt batt will produce the 14.4 volts 
that autos actually require.


Darin

> All this brings up the point that a 42 volt system 
would be the best. Are
> all race cars still running 12v volts?
> 
>  Dwight 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Christopher Meier [mailto:mr23 mn rr com] 
> Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2002 10:10 PM
> To: Pestka, Dennis J; elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
> Subject: Re: (ET) Battery Question
> 
> You'll want to find out what the peak and average 
current draw is.
> How many watt-hours are used in a run (including 
staging, burnout,
> and return if under power)?
> Find out what the designed voltage is for the ignition 
input.
> I don't know what dragsters run for ignition.
> 
> Then choose batteries etc to maintain the voltage, 
with enough
> capacity.  For example, a solar charge controller 
powered by
> 2 8-volt deep cycles, charging a small 12v battery at 
say 14.2v.
> Ignition runs off the 12v (nominal), 'always' charging 
at 14.2v.
> Choose the solar controller power rating to be at 
least 50% over
> the peak current draw of the ignition.  A small gel 
cell could
> be the12v battery, located very close to the ignition 
system
> (for least voltage drop), and the larger 8v batteries 
can be
> conveniently placed.
> 
> Besides a charge controller, a low voltage EV 
controller
> (the small curtis units, or a 4qd, diverse, or 
whatever) could
> be used instead.
> 
> If I was still running circle track, that's what I'd 
be doing...
> 
> -Chris
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Pestka, Dennis J" 
<Dennis Pestka TycoHealthcare com>
> To: "'Elec-Trak Email Discussion List'" <elec-
trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2002 3:10 PM
> Subject: (ET) Battery Question
> 
> 
> > This isn't really a tractor question, but here goes.
> >
> > A fellow I work with races super stock dragsters on 
the weekends.
> > He presently runs a no alternator system with (2) 12 
volt Optima Blue top
> > batteries in parallel.
> > When he races a lot and gets all the way to the 
finals, he notices his
> > batteries getting pretty weak and may not be getting 
the high voltage
> needed
> > for optimal spark.
> > He charges in between races, but has very little 
time.
> > He would like to upgrade and is considering several 
options.
> >
> > Staying at 12 volt with (2) 12 volt Optima yellow 
tops in parallel.
> >
> > Staying at 12 volt with (2) Trojan 6 volts or (1) 12 
volt.
> >
> > Using a higher voltage combinations, say 2 Trojans, 
(1) 6 volt, (1) 8 volt
> > in series for 14 volts.
> > Even higher voltage with (2) Trojan 8 volts in 
series for 16 volts.
> >
> > He is now adding 80 pounds of ballast to get to the 
minimum racing weight,
> > so the extra weight of the Trojans should not be a 
problem.
> >
> >
> > I know they would have a higher amp hour rating and 
last longer, but would
> > the Trojans be able to deliver the amperage needed 
during the race versus
> > the Optimas ?
> >
> > Would the G forces be a problem with the Trojan 
floodeds versus the
> Optimas
> > ?
> >
> > Any opinions ?
> >
> >
> > Thanks;
> > Dennis