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electrical:12v:alternator [2022/06/06 18:18]
frater_secessus [lithium-specific] BIM teardown video 		electrical:12v:alternator [2022/06/23 11:15]
frater_secessus [effect on alternator]
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 > I have created hundreds of designs and installed around 100 systems, many with isolators or solenoids. In four plus years not one customer has come to me saying that their alternator failed. I do tell them not to sit in a hot parking lot idling their engine to charge their batteries. -- jimindenver((https://vanlivingforum.com/threads/new-wiring-sketch.43877/post-544396)) > I have created hundreds of designs and installed around 100 systems, many with isolators or solenoids. In four plus years not one customer has come to me saying that their alternator failed. I do tell them not to sit in a hot parking lot idling their engine to charge their batteries. -- jimindenver((https://vanlivingforum.com/threads/new-wiring-sketch.43877/post-544396))
 +
 +But see  [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/v5otsu/alternator_troubles_advice/ibevy8f/|this cautionary tale]] of using a 60A (!) [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC charger]] to charge 200Ah of AGM from a 145A alternator.  
 +
  
 If/when the OEM alternator does fail((all alternators have a non-infinite lifespan, not just ones used to charge aux banks)) a higher output one can be installed for not much more than it would cost to replace the original.  If/when the OEM alternator does fail((all alternators have a non-infinite lifespan, not just ones used to charge aux banks)) a higher output one can be installed for not much more than it would cost to replace the original. 
  
 SternWake reports **idling while charging causes a sharp increase in alternator temperature**.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Longer-alternator-life-when-used-to-charge-house-batteries?pid=182096#pid182096)) To avoid this, do your alternator charging //while driving// so airflow over the hot alternator will help cool it.   Other measures included additional alternator cooling or pulley size tuning to alternator RPM at idle.  SternWake reports **idling while charging causes a sharp increase in alternator temperature**.((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Longer-alternator-life-when-used-to-charge-house-batteries?pid=182096#pid182096)) To avoid this, do your alternator charging //while driving// so airflow over the hot alternator will help cool it.   Other measures included additional alternator cooling or pulley size tuning to alternator RPM at idle. 
 +
 +==== alternator current rating ====
 +
 +In general, vehicles with higher-rated alternators (150A, for example) will handle the extra charging duties better than vehicles with lower-rated alternators (60A, for example).  The rating in Amps will be listed on the window sticker, often on the alternator housing itself, or can be looked up using a VIN decoder for your automaker.  
 +
 +
 +There are no firm rules on how much power you can extract, but these are commonly-observed limits:
 +
 +  * draw no more than 1/2 of rated amps while driving at normal road speeds
 +  * draw no more than 1/4 of rated amps while driving at slower speeds
 +
  
 Note that alternators put out their rated current at higher RPM.((typically highway speeds))  See chart on the right for a Ford Transit 250A alternator. Note that alternators put out their rated current at higher RPM.((typically highway speeds))  See chart on the right for a Ford Transit 250A alternator.
electrical/12v/alternator.txt ยท Last modified: 2024/05/09 14:00 by frater_secessus

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