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electrical:12v:alternator [2024/09/10 15:38]
frater_secessus [gotchas] |
electrical:12v:alternator [2025/09/27 06:04] (current)
frater_secessus [voltage-sensing relays] |
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| Note: [[electrical:12v:voltage sensing delay|voltages-sensing (with or without delay)]] can be added to plain solenoids. | Note: [[electrical:12v:voltage sensing delay|voltage-sensing (with or without delay)]] can be added to plain solenoids. |
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| ==== lithium-specific VSR ==== | ==== lithium-specific VSR ==== |
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| Note: a normal VSR can be used with LiFePO4; it may be useful to add a way to [[electrical:12v:alternator#disabling_alternator_charging|disable temporarily]] it to break the "stuckness". Also see [[electrical:12v:alternator#gotchas|the Gotchas section]] for related information. | Note: a normal VSR can be used with LiFePO4; it may be useful to add a way to [[electrical:12v:alternator#disabling_alternator_charging|disable temporarily]] it to break the "stuckness". Also see [[electrical:12v:alternator#gotchas|the Gotchas section]] for related information. |
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| | === Victron Cyrix-Li-ct === |
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| | The [[https://amzn.to/4m8mE6f|Cyrix-Li-ct]] is similar to the lead version with different setpoints:((https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Datasheet-Cyrix-Li-ion-120-A-EN.pdf)) |
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| | * cut-in 13.4v |
| | * cut-out <13.2v |
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| | It can also communicate with Victron BMSes but that is beyond the scope of this article. |
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| === Li-BIM === | === Li-BIM === |
| An interesting teardown of the Li-BIM can be seen in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFd9Uulo9rY|this video]]. | An interesting teardown of the Li-BIM can be seen in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFd9Uulo9rY|this video]]. |
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| | === True Amalgamated Lithium VSR === |
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| | True [[https://www.trueam.com/product/true-lithium-large-dual-battery-kit/|makes a VSR]] with 13.5v ON and 13.2v OFF setpoints. |
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| * [[electrical:12v:alternator#disabling_alternator_charging|disable alternator charging]] (at least momentarily) after driving | * [[electrical:12v:alternator#disabling_alternator_charging|disable alternator charging]] (at least momentarily) after driving |
| * use a relay [[electrical:12v:alternator#triggering|triggered by D+]] | * use a relay [[electrical:12v:alternator#triggering|triggered by D+]] |
| | * use a relay like [[#li-bim|the Li-Bim]] with setpoints designed for LFP |
| * install a voltage sensing switch to control the relay, set more appropriately for LFP's resting voltage | * install a voltage sensing switch to control the relay, set more appropriately for LFP's resting voltage |
| * install [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC]]. | * install [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC]]. |
| * relays and DC-DC that are triggered solely by D+ can be disabled by a switch on the D+ wire. [[https://www.reddit.com/r/VanLife/comments/1c4vjl0/is_this_renogy_a_good_dcdc_option_for_a_200ah/kzuc78v/|Additional control could be introduced]] with a relay and or delay ([[https://amzn.to/3TUEbmu|example]]) | * relays and DC-DC that are triggered solely by D+ can be disabled by a switch on the D+ wire. [[https://www.reddit.com/r/VanLife/comments/1c4vjl0/is_this_renogy_a_good_dcdc_option_for_a_200ah/kzuc78v/|Additional control could be introduced]] with a relay and or delay ([[https://amzn.to/3TUEbmu|example]]) |
| * VSR triggered by voltage can can be disabled by a switch on the thin ground wire on the VSR itself.((the VSR requires a ground to make a complete circuit to run internal electronics. Breaking this circuit turns off the VSR)) | * VSR triggered by voltage can can be disabled by a switch on the thin ground wire on the VSR itself.((the VSR requires a ground to make a complete circuit to run internal electronics. Breaking this circuit turns off the VSR)) |
| * some DC-DC can be //derated//((output intentionally reduced)) by providing a 12v signal to the CURRENT LIMIT terminal ([[electrical:12v:b2b#renogy1|Renogy DC1212 series]], [[electrical:12v:b2b#leaptrend|Leaptrend]]) or through a setting in an app (Renogy DCC50S). | * some DC-DC can be //derated//((output intentionally reduced)) by providing a 12v signal to the CURRENT LIMIT terminal ([[electrical:12v:b2b#renogy1|Renogy DC1212 series]], [[electrical:12v:b2b#leaptrend|Leaptrend]]) or through a setting in an app (Renogy DCC50S), etc |
| * some DC-DC can be //disabled// by providing a 12v signal to a remote ON/OFF terminal ([[electrical:12v:b2b#victron|Victron Orion-TR]]), Kisae. | * some DC-DC can be //disabled// by providing a 12v signal to a remote ON/OFF terminal ([[electrical:12v:b2b#victron|Victron Orion-TR]]), [[electrical:12v:b2b#disabling_the_kisae|Kisae]]. |
| * on units that have a dedicated NEG ("ground", negative return) to the starter battery there may be no easy disable method. The brute force method would be to insert a relay between the starter battery POS and the unit's POS input, and control the relay with a switch. | * on units that have a dedicated NEG ("ground", negative return) to the starter battery there may be no easy disable method. The brute force method would be to insert a relay between the starter battery POS and the unit's POS input, and control the relay with a switch. |
| * bluetooth-enabled DC-DC can often be disabled or derated from the app | * bluetooth-enabled DC-DC can often be disabled or derated from the app |
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| - use of an ON/OFF 12v trigger signal ("D+", "IGN", "ACC"). When the 12v signal is present the charging circuit is operational. Caveat: in this kind of setup leaving the key in the ACC position without starting the engine can drain the starter battery. | - use of an ON/OFF 12v trigger signal ("D+", "IGN", "ACC"). When the 12v signal is present the charging circuit is operational. Caveat: in this kind of setup leaving the key in the ACC position without starting the engine can drain the starter battery. |
| - voltage-sensing - 12v is always being provided to the charger. The batteries are connected when the chassis voltage is above a voltage setpoint (often ≥13.4v) and disconnected when the chassis side measures below a setpoing (often ≤13.2v). | - voltage-sensing - 12v is always being provided to the charger. The batteries are connected when the chassis voltage is above a voltage setpoint (often ≥13.4v) and disconnected when the chassis side measures below a setpoint (often ≤13.2v). |
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| In some cases both are combined for particular installs. Ex. smart alternators. | In some cases both voltage-sensing and D+ trigger are combined to work with the odd voltages that smart alternator equipped vehicles can present. |
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| A simple possible approach would be to [[electrical:solar:shallow_cycling|replace the starter battery with a marine or AGM battery]].((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Easiest-simplest-cheapest-power-set-up)) | A simple possible approach would be to [[electrical:solar:shallow_cycling|replace the starter battery with a marine or AGM battery]].((http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Easiest-simplest-cheapest-power-set-up)) |
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| ===== charging trailer batteries ===== | ===== charging remote batteries ===== |
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| | ==== truck beds ==== |
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| | If the bed does not have sufficient ground connectivity to run the NEG return through the body, then you can either: |
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| | * add an additional and/or beefier ground strap between bed and frame; or |
| | * run a dedicated NEG return from the bank back to the starter batt, frame, etc. |
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| | ==== trailers ==== |
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| Some amount of power can be passed along the 7pin harness, usually enough to //maintain// the trailer battery's voltage and run small loads. For the purposes of this discussion [[https://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring-7-way.aspx|the important wires]] in the 7-pin are: | Some amount of power can be passed along the 7pin harness, usually enough to //maintain// the trailer battery's voltage and run small loads. For the purposes of this discussion [[https://www.etrailer.com/faq-wiring-7-way.aspx|the important wires]] in the 7-pin are: |
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| It's also possible to run a separate and (much) heavier & more expensive cable/connector from the TV to the trailer; this would minimize voltage sag. | It's also possible to run a separate and (much) heavier & more expensive cable/connector from the TV to the trailer; this would minimize voltage sag. |
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| ===== isolator without a house battery ===== | ===== isolator without a house battery ===== |
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| **Q.** An isolator is typically used to charge a house battery, so why install [[electrical:12v:alternator#combiners|a relay]] if you have no house battery? | **Q.** An "isolator" (combiner, relay, etc) is typically used to charge a house battery, so why install [[electrical:12v:alternator#combiners|a relay]] if you have no house battery? |
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| **A.** because an isolator can bring Big Current into the cabin for other uses, and do so //only when the engine is running//. Ciggy ports are typically limited to 10A (120-150w). | **A.** because it can bring Big Current into the cabin for other uses, and do so //only when the engine is running//. Ciggy ports are typically limited to 10A (120-150w). |
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| **Examples:**((while driving, not while idling)) | **Examples:**((while driving, not while idling)) |
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| | ===== the Orton method ===== |
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| | Similar to the above, [[https://www.ortontransit.info/electrical|the Orton method]] uses a combiner to control power to an inverter. The inverter in turn runs AC-DC battery chargers and other shore power loads. |
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| ===== tweaking the current ===== | ===== tweaking the current ===== |
