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electrical:12v:alternator_details [2023/10/16 19:43] frater_secessus [heat] |
electrical:12v:alternator_details [2024/03/29 19:23] frater_secessus [external regulation] |
**Externally-regulated alternators** are alternators where the regulation function is physically separated from the alternator. There may be a stand-alone external regulator or the engine ECU may assume those duties. | **Externally-regulated alternators** are alternators where the regulation function is physically separated from the alternator. There may be a stand-alone external regulator or the engine ECU may assume those duties. |
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In a camper/RV context //an externally-regulated alternator// typically means an **aftermarket regulator**, like Balmar - voltage often provides [[electrical:12v:charging|multistage (smart) charging]], temperature-based derating, etc. Read on. | see [[electrical:12v:alternator_details#external_regulation|External Regulation]] below |
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A separate alternator (see below) is not required to use external regulation but that is a common scenario. If one externally regulates the vehicle's sole alternator the chassis could be exposed to higher or lower voltages than it was designed for. | |
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Common external regulators include: | |
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* Balmar ARS-5 (no external voltage sensing) | |
* Balmar MC-614 (external voltage sensing) | |
* Xantrex Xar (no external voltage sensing) | |
* Wakespeed WS500 (CANBUS) | |
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=== tricking the regulator === | === tricking the regulator === |
=== thermal switches === | === thermal switches === |
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In [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjeHJd6OO2Y&lc=Ugyusa6wH9p3jNMKbmh4AaABAg.9m5OeSgBRtB9m5UO1ANIfF|a comment]] on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjeHJd6OO2Y|an excellent video about charging lithium from the alternator]] WorkingOnExploring talks about adding overtemp protection with: | In [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjeHJd6OO2Y&lc=Ugyusa6wH9p3jNMKbmh4AaABAg.9m5OeSgBRtB9m5UO1ANIfF|a comment]] on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjeHJd6OO2Y|an excellent video about charging lithium from the alternator]] WorkingOnExploring talks about adding overtemp protection with a thermal switch (a small bimetallic switch):((see [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF4Yxo9C9DM|this teardown and demo video]] on youtube)) |
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>> [[https://amzn.to/3luTwwx|a KSD9700 120C]], normally closed thermal switch epoxied to your alternator case. That way, if some abnormal event occurred and the alternator overheated, it could deactivate the [combiner] till the alternator cooled. It would likely cost less than $20 to install this thermal safety. | >> [[https://amzn.to/3luTwwx|a KSD9700 120C]], normally closed thermal switch epoxied to your alternator case. That way, if some abnormal event occurred and the alternator overheated, it could deactivate the [combiner] till the alternator cooled. It would likely cost less than $20 to install this thermal safety. |
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Note: a thermal switch is a tiny bimetallic device. See [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF4Yxo9C9DM|this teardown and demo video]] (youtube). | |
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==== external regulation ==== | ==== external regulation ==== |
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External regulation can provide overtemperature protection (see section on Heat above), and can also cause the alternator to behave like a smart charger with [[electrical:12v:charging|multistage charging]]. | External regulation can provide overtemperature protection (see section on Heat above), current limiting, and can also cause the alternator to behave like a smart charger with [[electrical:12v:charging|multistage charging]]. |
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| In a camper/RV context //an externally-regulated alternator// typically means an **aftermarket external regulator** controlling a **dedicated secondary alternator**.((on boats there is typically one externally-regulated alternator that runs the electrics and charges the house bank. Modern land vehicles are likely less tolerant of the alternator doing things the ECU did not command.)) Depending on the implementation external regulation might provide: |
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| * configurable current levels and/or voltage setpoints |
| * [[electrical:12v:charging|multistage (smart) charging]] |
| * temperature monitoring so maximal current can be extracted without overheating |
| * RPM-based output limits |
| * etc |
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| External regulators include: |
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| * Balmar ARS-5 (no external voltage sensing) |
| * Balmar MC-614 (external voltage sensing) |
| * Xantrex Xar (no external voltage sensing) |
| * Wakespeed WS500 (CANBUS) |
| * [[https://theyachtrigger.com/arco-zeus-alternator-regulator/|Arco Zeus]] - new to market |
| * [[https://www.mastervolt.com/products/alpha-pro-mb-charge-regulator1/alpha-pro-iii/|Mastervolt]], more often seen in marine installs |
| * [[https://sterling-power.com/collections/alternator-regulators|Sterling]] |
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