“HOW DO I GET MY VOLTAGE UP?”

I have had a lot of questions recently about "How to get my voltage up?".

Well, that's a long question to answer, so I’ll explain here so

 everyone can read and understand how voltage and regulators

actually, work because it’s not as simple as it may seem sometimes

 

 

There Are Three Scenario Categories That People Usually Fall Into:

 

# ONE: People that have regulator set points that are lower than they would like to see.  They can be internal set to 13.8, external like Dodge or Jeep products that are also set to 13.8 but the computer is in the PCM. (Not to be confused with PCM regulators like GM has, the 2 pin ones that nobody likes. They go into 5 or 6 different modes that all have different voltage set-points that range from 12-15ish.)

 

The regulator set point is the voltage limit. When voltage drops, the regulator can’t simply just raise it. Voltage drops because there is not enough Current to supply the load, so voltage drops. It could be either the alt doesn't have enough output at idle, which is very common these days with everyone wanting 370+ amp units that really don't have good output at idle unless you idle high like 750 or higher, which the majority of cars don't...  Or...the alt is just too small for the job it is asked to do, also very common with how big systems are nowadays

 

So really, a regulator, should be called a "Limiter", rather than "Regulator".... because it doesn't really regulate, it Limits

 

# TWO: People with actual PCM Controlled alternators that play with voltage all the time.  In that case, you really need to go with a Non PCM controlled regulator that you'll need to wire up if you want a constant set-point

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# THREE: People that have an alternator that doesn't have enough current, whether it’s at idle or not enough max current. Most of that I explained earlier. If you don't have Current, you CAN’T have Voltage... no way around it

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So, if you have voltage problems because the regulator set point is too low...you can either get a regulator with a higher set-point or get a VCM from XS Power. I HIGHLY recommend the VCM over any external regulator out there

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If you have low voltage at idle...you either purchased the wrong amperage alternator for your car                        (too high for the case style and engine parameters of your vehicle), purchased a poorly designed alternator, or you may have a battery issue, either not fully charged or you may have a bad one

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If you have a true PCM controlled alternator you may be able to get a different regulator for that alt or a different alt altogether with a standard regulator

 

Just always keep in mind that no regulator can maintain or raise voltage when there is not enough current available to power whatever it is you have in the car, if that was the case, all we would need to do is VCM or externally regulator our stock 90-amp alts

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Not all alts are compatible with the VCM.  If it has an Active Sense terminal the VCM will not work... they only work with passive sense leads. passive means all it does is sense, active means it senses AND powers the regulator. All GM with a sense lead is passive.  Ford is an example of an active sense lead