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electrical:12v:alternator [2020/04/11 11:39] frater_secessus [voltage-sensing relays] |
electrical:12v:alternator [2020/05/24 12:08] frater_secessus [alternator hacks] |
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====== Alternator charging ====== | ====== Alternator charging ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | aka Split Charging for our European friends | ||
In a dual-battery system((starter battery and house battery)) some of the alternator output is used to charge the house batteries when the engine is running. | In a dual-battery system((starter battery and house battery)) some of the alternator output is used to charge the house batteries when the engine is running. | ||
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- | Power from the alternator is shared with the house battery using an isolator of some sort. This allows the [[electrical: | + | Power from the alternator is shared with the house battery using an isolator |
==== constant-duty solenoid ==== | ==== constant-duty solenoid ==== | ||
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===== gotchas ===== | ===== gotchas ===== | ||
- | Alternator charging may bring some battery chemistries (like lithium) to unsuitably high voltages. | + | Alternator charging may bring some battery chemistries (like lithium) to **unsuitably high voltages**. A [[electrical: |
+ | |||
+ | **Idling the engine** to charge house batteries **can seriously overheat the alternator**. | ||
- | Idling the engine | + | In early morning when house battery voltage is lowest, **a plain solenoid may unintentionally allow depleted batteries |
- | ==== wiring ==== | + | ===== wiring |
2 gauge copper wire connecting the coach and house is recommended for most alternator charging installs. | 2 gauge copper wire connecting the coach and house is recommended for most alternator charging installs. | ||
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Note that you will only have to run the POS+ leg of wire to the house battery as the chassis ground is the other leg. | Note that you will only have to run the POS+ leg of wire to the house battery as the chassis ground is the other leg. | ||
- | ==== alternator hacks === | + | ==== alternator hacks ==== |
There are ways to get the alternator to pump out more power: | There are ways to get the alternator to pump out more power: |