Simply speaking I am having an issue with the VCM going way over the supossed 15.2v limit.

Sometimes when I start the car the VCM is so high that every aftermarket electronic device installed turns on and off over and over including the VCM.

While doing this pulls my idle up and down also. Very bad for the electronics in my car, and being that its a 2013 300, I don't want to fry all the computers and such.

The dip switches are set how the instructions say, and everything is installed very cleanly. Everything is soldered and shrink wrapped.

It also sends everything into protect when im on the highway and there is a break in the bass, voltage spikes up like crazy.

The other thing is it doesn't stay to what I set it to, it will often either drift down from what I set it to or up over time while driving.

 

This thing seems extremely unstable, and the fact that I have to constantly babysit it just adds stress to my day.

Hopefully you guys have a fix, although Ive heard lots of people have issues with XS and the mechman units.

 

Thanks

Everything you have described is the fault of how a alternator works. On cold start up an alternator will be significantly higher in voltage on those cold days. After you get the alternator warmed up it will slowly start to sag on voltage. It does this because electrical components heat up and become less efficient. When you set your voltage with one of these things you must do it while cold. Keeping voltage that high will eventually turn in to gassing and can be harmful to your batteries in the long run causing premature oxidation and bulging. 

 

Personally, i would only turn up to 15 if you are going to pull up to the lanes. Even still, I would turn it back down to the 14.2-14.6 for daily.

Everything you have described is the fault of how a alternator works. On cold start up an alternator will be significantly higher in voltage on those cold days. After you get the alternator warmed up it will slowly start to sag on voltage. It does this because electrical components heat up and become less efficient. When you set your voltage with one of these things you must do it while cold. Keeping voltage that high will eventually turn in to gassing and can be harmful to your batteries in the long run causing premature oxidation and bulging.

Personally, i would only turn up to 15 if you are going to pull up to the lanes. Even still, I would turn it back down to the 14.2-14.6 for daily.

No just no, I'm not sure if you even read the post. Your post wasn't helpful at all because I already knew all this, and normally you'd be right but it's definitely not me turning up the alternator past 15.4 when I've been driving for 30+mins. Sometimes when I start the car the voltage is 12.8, sometimes it's over 16.

My singer alt does that also...it jumps between 12.5-15.1vdc hot or cold doesnt matter.

I think I may have a slipping belt issue not sure tho.

 

Not externally regulated either...pcm controlled

Edited October 16, 201410 yr by garychurch84

Maybe the PCM is the entire issue.  My 2010 Traverse actually shuts the alternator completely off and only has it on when it's absolutely necessary.  Perhaps the Chrysler is doing something similar and the reason you see it go so high is because you turned up the voltage when the alt wasn't on trying to compensate.  Then when it turns back on it way overshoots the setpoint you wanted it at.

 

 

Just a thought.

Singer said it sounds like a bad VCM. I'm going to use the regulator in the alternator for now, and buy one of the big blue external regulators that you sometimes see.

Maybe the PCM is the entire issue. My 2010 Traverse actually shuts the alternator completely off and only has it on when it's absolutely necessary. Perhaps the Chrysler is doing something similar and the reason you see it go so high is because you turned up the voltage when the alt wasn't on trying to compensate. Then when it turns back on it way overshoots the setpoint you wanted it at.

Just a thought.

The stock alternator wiring isn't being used at all, but stock it would turn the alternator off when at low speeds for better gas mileage. One of the massive reasons I got a new alternator and why I'm not using the stock regulator.

Maybe the PCM is the entire issue. My 2010 Traverse actually shuts the alternator completely off and only has it on when it's absolutely necessary. Perhaps the Chrysler is doing something similar and the reason you see it go so high is because you turned up the voltage when the alt wasn't on trying to compensate. Then when it turns back on it way overshoots the setpoint you wanted it at.

Just a thought.

The stock alternator wiring isn't being used at all, but stock it would turn the alternator off when at low speeds for better gas mileage. One of the massive reasons I got a new alternator and why I'm not using the stock regulator.

 

Everything you have described is the fault of how a alternator works. On cold start up an alternator will be significantly higher in voltage on those cold days. After you get the alternator warmed up it will slowly start to sag on voltage. It does this because electrical components heat up and become less efficient. When you set your voltage with one of these things you must do it while cold. Keeping voltage that high will eventually turn in to gassing and can be harmful to your batteries in the long run causing premature oxidation and bulging.

Personally, i would only turn up to 15 if you are going to pull up to the lanes. Even still, I would turn it back down to the 14.2-14.6 for daily.

No just no, I'm not sure if you even read the post. Your post wasn't helpful at all because I already knew all this, and normally you'd be right but it's definitely not me turning up the alternator past 15.4 when I've been driving for 30+mins. Sometimes when I start the car the voltage is 12.8, sometimes it's over 16.

 

 

This is why it helps to give the second bit of information. No need to get defensive. Everything you described sounded like someone that lacked knowledge of how an alternator worked. Had you included the bit about sometimes its 12.8 and sometimes it's over 16 I would have given you a completely different answer. Now as it stands, you get no help from one of the few people that uses a VCM. Good luck.

Haha somebody got butt hurt, when did you become the VCM guru and only person who can help.

Haha somebody got butt hurt, when did you become the VCM guru and only person who can help.

 

Never said I was. I do know that there are very few people here that use these. Are you debating that anything that I said wasn't true? I didn't intend to hurt the guys feelings, but if it were anyone else the guy wouldn't have been told any differently. I can't help it he didn't give the whole story. Then the fella goes on about my reading comprehension ability when I read exactly what he posted and used that information to give him an informative answer. 

 

I don't need you coming in here cupping his balls to try and make it any different.

 

My answer stands given the information and attitude from his post.

Woah woah guys, please. Its all good, no reason for anyone to get upset. I was hoping xspower would input a little bit, but since they haven't Ill call.

Ill see what they say and if they decide to send me another one ill give it another shot.

At this high of a price point you would think these units would have a better reputation for reliability. Ive read through quite a few threads on other forums of people having issues.

I talked to Mike singer a bit more, and he also thinks its not acting at all the way it should. I mentioned the blue transpo external regulator, and since he stocks them Ill probably grab one of those in the end.