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electrical:12v:power_mix [2023/10/21 20:13]
frater_secessus [portable solar] 		electrical:12v:power_mix [2024/04/13 18:17]
frater_secessus [alternator]
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 [[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**.  
  
-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]].  
 + 
 + 
 +However, some cases suggest a more expensive [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC charger]] setup:
  
   * 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
   * mandatory if you have a large house bank (of any chemistry) compared to [[electrical:12v:alternator_details#current|your alternator's output rating]]   * mandatory if you have a large house bank (of any chemistry) compared to [[electrical:12v:alternator_details#current|your alternator's output rating]]
-  * suggested if you want a more predictable charge rate+  * suggested if you want a more predictable charge rate;  DC-DC charge rates are typically consistent all the way through Bulk stage, no matter what the bank voltage is. 
   * suggested if you want more of a hands-off approach    * suggested if you want more of a hands-off approach 
 +
  
 **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. 
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-**Consider mounted 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. +**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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   * 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, like for people who move a lot or who do not diligently set up / take down the portables.    * works poorly - when not deployed, like for people who move a lot or who do not diligently set up / take down the portables. 
 +
 +One way to **predict if you will reliably set up the portables**:  how full is your vehicle's gas tank and your phone battery right now?  If you are a "never let it get low" type you will likely set out portables consistently.  If you are a "always running on [E]mpty" type you are less likely to set out the portables. This is a not a moral judgement, but rather a way to help assess whether or not portables would be a good source of power for your use case.  
  
  
electrical/12v/power_mix.txt · Last modified: 2024/06/02 21:34 by frater_secessus

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