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electrical:12v:power_mix [2023/10/21 20:02] frater_secessus [alternator] |
electrical:12v:power_mix [2024/04/13 18:11] frater_secessus [portable solar] |
[[electrical:12v:alternator|Alternator charging]] is usually the biggest bang-for-buck charging offgrid.((bulk stage charging, at least)) It is automatic((unless you are using a manual switch, not recommended)) and will charge whenever you are driving. **Consider the alternator as the backbone of your charging if you drive daily or near-daily**. | [[electrical:12v:alternator|Alternator charging]] is usually the biggest bang-for-buck charging offgrid.((bulk stage charging, at least)) It is automatic((unless you are using a manual switch, not recommended)) and will charge whenever you are driving. **Consider the alternator as the backbone of your charging if you drive daily or near-daily**. |
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For many people [[electrical:12v:alternator#combiners|a plain combiner]] (relay, solenoid, VSR, "isolator") will be cheap and highly effective for [[electrical:12v:charging#bulk_stage|Bulk charging]]. However, some cases suggest a more expensive [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC charger]] setup: | For many people [[electrical:12v:alternator#combiners|a plain combiner]] (relay, solenoid, VSR, "isolator") will be cheap and highly effective for [[electrical:12v:charging#bulk_stage|Bulk charging]]. Direct charging like this will often be most efficient in early morning [[electrical:12v:alternator#charging_current_patterns|when bank voltage is the lowest]]. |
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| However, some cases suggest a more expensive [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC charger]] setup: |
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* mandatory if you have a "smart" (variable voltage) alternator, common in Europe on recent models | * mandatory if you have a "smart" (variable voltage) alternator, common in Europe on recent models |
* suggested if you want a more predictable charge rate | * suggested if you want a more predictable charge rate |
* suggested if you want more of a hands-off approach | * suggested if you want more of a hands-off approach |
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| DC-DC charging tends to have the same current output all through Bulk stage, no matter what the bank voltage is. |
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**Alternator-only charging** [[electrical:12v:mandatory_solar|can work with lithium banks]] but for technical reasons solar or shore-power charging is usually required with lead batteries. | **Alternator-only charging** [[electrical:12v:mandatory_solar|can work with lithium banks]] but for technical reasons solar or shore-power charging is usually required with lead batteries. |
Having panel permanently mounted on the vehicle can be a quality of life upgrade; it is charging anytime the sun is falling on them. | Having panel permanently mounted on the vehicle can be a quality of life upgrade; it is charging anytime the sun is falling on them. |
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**Consider mounted solar as a backbone of your charging if you spend a lot of time in open areas** with good insolation. Camping in non-forested areas, for example. | **Consider mounted solar as a backbone of your charging if you spend a lot of time emplaced in open areas** with good insolation. Camping in non-forested areas, for example. |
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==== portable solar ==== | ==== portable solar ==== |
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Portable solar can work alone, augment the mounted panel((seperate controllers)), can be placed in sun, and can usually be angled for maximal harvest. | [[opinion:frater_secessus:portable_panels|Portable solar]] can work alone, can augment the mounted panel((separate controllers)), can be placed in sun, and can usually be angled for maximal harvest. |
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**Consider mounted solar as a backbone of your charging if you spend a lot of time in areas of shade adjacent to areas with clear sun**. In a forest with canopy openings, for example. | **Consider portable solar as a backbone of your charging if you spend a lot of time emplaced in areas of shade adjacent to areas with clear sun**. In a forest with canopy openings, for example. |
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* must be set out to work | * must be set out to work |
* works well - when set out in the sun, especially when tilted toward the sun. | * works well - when set out in the sun, especially when tilted toward the sun. |
* works poorly - when not deployed | * works poorly - when not deployed, like for people who move a lot or who do not diligently set up / take down the portables. |
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