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--- electrical:12v:multipoint_charging [2017/11/25 09:44]
frater_secessus [how to make them cooperate]
+++ electrical:12v:multipoint_charging [2018/12/12 20:56]
frater_secessus [concurrent charging]
@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 So what happens when multiple chargers are running at the same time?  Nothing dramatic, as it turns out.
-In general, **the charging source with the highest voltage will win**.
+In general, **the charging source with the highest voltage will win**.  The only caveat, for advanced users, is if one of your controller uses end-amps to signal the end of Absorption, it may get confused and drop out early.((http://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/comment/389634#Comment_389634))
 ==== why one source wins ====
 Most charging involves holding((or trying to reach)) a particular voltage [[electrical:12v:electrical_notation|setpoint]].((current-terminated Absorption excepted for purposes of this discussion))  If a charging source sees the bank voltage is above its own setpoint it thinks the job is done;  it sits quietly.
-Example.  Pretend you have a bank in a van with [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator charging]] and a large and small [[electrical:solar:panels|solar panel]] on the roof.  Each panel has a dedicated [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|charge controller]] because the panels are of wildly different specs.  This gives us three charging sources if you are driving down the road at dawn.
+Example.  Pretend you have a bank in a van with [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator charging]] and two [[electrical:solar:panels|solar panels]] on the roof.  Each panel has a dedicated [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|charge controller]] because the panels are of wildly different specs.  This gives us three charging sources if you are driving down the road at dawn.
 The alternator is just a plain alternator and puts out 14.0v all the time.
@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 Serial in this case means "one after another".  Sometimes the charging is done in a particular order for best results.
-  - a high current (but fuel expensive) source handles Bulk stage that takes the battery to about 80% SoC.
+  - a **high current** (but fuel expensive) source handles Bulk stage that takes the battery to about 80% SoC.
-  - a low current (but free to run) source handles the much longer Absorption and Float stages.
+  - a **low current** (but free to run) source handles the much longer Absorption and Float stages.
-In most scenarios the high current source is either [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator charging]] or [[electrical:generator|generator]] charging.  A huge influx of power gets the battery off that deeply discharged point early in the morning.  You will know when you have finished Bulk stage when the battery starts accepting less and less current.  Since running the alternator or generator uses fuel and causes wear and tear, it's time to shut them down and use the next source.
+In most scenarios the **high current source** is either [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator charging]] or [[electrical:generator|generator]] charging.  A huge influx of power gets the battery off that deeply discharged point early in the morning.  You will know when you have finished Bulk stage when the battery starts accepting less and less current.  Since running the alternator or generator uses fuel and causes wear and tear, it's time to shut them down and use the next source.
-The low current source is almost always solar.  Solar is free to run and is not subject to wear and tear;  it is perfect for the //hours// it will take to finish Absorption.
+The **low current source** is almost always solar.  Solar is free to run and is not subject to wear and tear;  it is perfect for the //hours// it will take to finish Absorption.

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