will a 16v TurboStart charger work with a Lithium 16v?

RJ Sledge · 07-03-2024, 01:04 AM

Still have my 16v charger and wanting to step up to Lithium 16v, and thinking i can save $300.00 and use my 16v charger

thanks
RJ

Steve Grady · 07-03-2024, 09:12 AM

RJ, I would check with the battery manufacturer you intend to use. Most I see list a specific charger for the Lithium batteries.

Dan Bennett · 07-04-2024, 12:23 PM

I'm thinking it would not be a good idea. Lithium needs different things than lead acid. A lithium charger will read the voltage and cell resistance and adjust (slowly ramp up) the charging rate. They need a different charging rate at each voltage level they're at. At the end of the charge, it tapers off and does a "top off" process. Both of these are needed to avoid shortening the life or damaging the battery.

Unless I'm totally wrong, a lead acid battery just gets blasted with charger output from start to finish. It's the quickest and most effective way since the plates don't really care. Yes, they know to shut off when the desired voltage is reached but I'm not aware that they vary the charge level during the cycle.

So, you might kill that new battery pretty quickly. Worst case, damage the cells into thermal runaway.

RJ Sledge · 07-04-2024, 01:30 PM

Thanks for the info, guess it better to be safe than sorry.

How about a ?Battery choice? for a Stocker, carburetor big block and compression? Battery mount in engine bay.

Thanks
RJ

Mike Pearson · 07-04-2024, 01:41 PM

I use a Go Lithium 16 V battery and their charger. Have been happy with both. I have been using lithium for about 10 years. The new style Go Lithium has been really good. Charges real fast between runs.
I do carry my regular 16v charger just in case i ever need to boost it. I don?t use the lithium batter between round to cool the car down. I have a separate battery for that at the trailer.

1320racer · 07-04-2024, 02:48 PM

Not likely, all lithium battery manufacturers require battery specific chargers sold by them.

That said, the best lithium battery currently for motorsports is built by Braille. Speak to Heather Christian at Braille for questions 941-539-4553

prostockpete1 · 07-04-2024, 04:07 PM

wirh all the scary storys about fires with lithium my race car is too valuable to lose over a fire that most extingushers can not put out & whats big deal over a few pounds of weight ... just my $ .02 thoughts

1320racer · 07-04-2024, 08:13 PM

the only reason to swap to a lithium battery is the weight savings which is 40 lbs. when swapping from a XS Power D1600.

We made the swap last year in our dragster

BZenzen · 07-05-2024, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ Sledge

Thanks for the info, guess it better to be safe than sorry.

How about a ?Battery choice? for a Stocker, carburetor big block and compression? Battery mount in engine bay.

Thanks
RJ

RJ - Go Lithium is a great supporter of Sportsman Racing all across the US, AJ at Go Lithium is always available to answer questions and provide support. We are switching at the end of the year, two Red Top Optimas to these will save 50+ pounds in our SS car

1320racer · 07-05-2024, 08:41 AM

Braille batteries provides the cranking power for the biggest and winningest names in drag racing, from the NHRA to PDRA to NPK as well sportsman and bracket racing and unlike the competition, requiring 2 lithium batteries when replacing standard 16 bolt battery, with Braille, you only need ONE!

07-03-2024, 01:04 AM	#1
RJ Sledge Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 783 Likes: 496 Liked 288 Times in 90 Posts	will a 16v TurboStart charger work with a Lithium 16v? Still have my 16v charger and wanting to step up to Lithium 16v, and thinking i can save $300.00 and use my 16v charger thanks RJ

07-03-2024, 09:12 AM	#2
Steve Grady Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 62 Likes: 99 Liked 63 Times in 32 Posts	Re: will a 16v TurboStart charger work with a Lithium 16v? RJ, I would check with the battery manufacturer you intend to use. Most I see list a specific charger for the Lithium batteries. __________________ Div 3 Sales, Service and Tech for many manufacturers

07-04-2024, 12:23 PM	#3
Dan Bennett Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 436 Likes: 826 Liked 591 Times in 134 Posts	Re: will a 16v TurboStart charger work with a Lithium 16v? I'm thinking it would not be a good idea. Lithium needs different things than lead acid. A lithium charger will read the voltage and cell resistance and adjust (slowly ramp up) the charging rate. They need a different charging rate at each voltage level they're at. At the end of the charge, it tapers off and does a "top off" process. Both of these are needed to avoid shortening the life or damaging the battery. Unless I'm totally wrong, a lead acid battery just gets blasted with charger output from start to finish. It's the quickest and most effective way since the plates don't really care. Yes, they know to shut off when the desired voltage is reached but I'm not aware that they vary the charge level during the cycle. So, you might kill that new battery pretty quickly. Worst case, damage the cells into thermal runaway.

07-04-2024, 01:30 PM	#4
RJ Sledge Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 783 Likes: 496 Liked 288 Times in 90 Posts	Re: will a 16v TurboStart charger work with a Lithium 16v? Thanks for the info, guess it better to be safe than sorry. How about a ?Battery choice? for a Stocker, carburetor big block and compression? Battery mount in engine bay. Thanks RJ

07-04-2024, 01:41 PM	#5
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,432 Likes: 608 Liked 1,900 Times in 570 Posts	Re: will a 16v TurboStart charger work with a Lithium 16v? I use a Go Lithium 16 V battery and their charger. Have been happy with both. I have been using lithium for about 10 years. The new style Go Lithium has been really good. Charges real fast between runs. I do carry my regular 16v charger just in case i ever need to boost it. I don?t use the lithium batter between round to cool the car down. I have a separate battery for that at the trailer. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

07-04-2024, 02:48 PM	#6
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,628 Likes: 160 Liked 759 Times in 379 Posts	Re: will a 16v TurboStart charger work with a Lithium 16v? Not likely, all lithium battery manufacturers require battery specific chargers sold by them. That said, the best lithium battery currently for motorsports is built by Braille. Speak to Heather Christian at Braille for questions 941-539-4553

07-04-2024, 04:07 PM	#7
prostockpete1 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 249 Likes: 3 Liked 85 Times in 51 Posts	Re: will a 16v TurboStart charger work with a Lithium 16v? wirh all the scary storys about fires with lithium my race car is too valuable to lose over a fire that most extingushers can not put out & whats big deal over a few pounds of weight ... just my $ .02 thoughts

07-04-2024, 08:13 PM	#8
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,628 Likes: 160 Liked 759 Times in 379 Posts	Re: will a 16v TurboStart charger work with a Lithium 16v? the only reason to swap to a lithium battery is the weight savings which is 40 lbs. when swapping from a XS Power D1600. We made the swap last year in our dragster

07-05-2024, 08:41 AM	#10
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,628 Likes: 160 Liked 759 Times in 379 Posts	Re: will a 16v TurboStart charger work with a Lithium 16v? Braille batteries provides the cranking power for the biggest and winningest names in drag racing, from the NHRA to PDRA to NPK as well sportsman and bracket racing and unlike the competition, requiring 2 lithium batteries when replacing standard 16 bolt battery, with Braille, you only need ONE! Last edited by 1320racer; 07-05-2024 at 08:43 AM.