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electrical:12v:alt_and_solar

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electrical:12v:alt_and_solar [2018/06/02 10:20]
frater_secessus [how solar helps]
electrical:12v:alt_and_solar [2019/05/16 21:04]
frater_secessus [how alternator charging helps]
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 ===== how alternator charging helps ===== ===== how alternator charging helps =====
  
-Solar power is relatively weak compared to alternator charging.  Solar is most challenged when the bank is deeply discharged and needs a large supply of current (early [[electrical:12v:charging#bulk_stage|Bulk charging]]).  Alt charging shovels current into the bank up to the point that alternator voltage (Valt) is reached.+Solar power is relatively weak compared to alternator charging.  Solar is most challenged in the morning when the bank is deeply discharged.  The sun is weak then but the bank needs a large supply of current (early [[electrical:12v:charging#bulk_stage|Bulk charging]]).  
  
 [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#pwm|PWM]] controllers are especially hamstrung in this scenario;  since they run the panels at battery voltage (Vbatt) they produce the least power exactly when the most power is required.  By the time Valt is reached PWM controllers are able to produce meaningful power. [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#pwm|PWM]] controllers are especially hamstrung in this scenario;  since they run the panels at battery voltage (Vbatt) they produce the least power exactly when the most power is required.  By the time Valt is reached PWM controllers are able to produce meaningful power.
  
 +Alt charging shovels current into the bank up to the point that alternator voltage (Valt) is reached.  Solar can take it from there.  A good metaphor might be a two-stage rocket:  the alternator does the heavy lifting then the solar charging takes it to high altitude.
 ===== when augmented charging works best ===== ===== when augmented charging works best =====
  
electrical/12v/alt_and_solar.txt ยท Last modified: 2023/08/23 14:10 by frater_secessus