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--- electrical:12v:directcharginglfp [2024/07/22 11:55]
frater_secessus [testing phase]
+++ electrical:12v:directcharginglfp [2025/03/28 16:27] (current)
frater_secessus [failures]
@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 === why does C appear to decrease as bank size increases? ===
-Current acceptance does increase with larger bank capacities but this increase can be surprisingly small:
+All other things being equal, current acceptance //does// increase with larger bank capacities but this increase can be surprisingly small:
 >> IF you have other things in the network with a much higher resistance than the batteries (such as using the frame as a ground return path), changing the resistance of the battery bank [ie, increasing capacity] can have only a small effect. --MechEngrSGH((https://www.rvforum.net/threads/charging-lithium-batteries-with-alternator.135673/post-1255460))
@@ Line 119: / Line 119: @@
 === lessons ===
-  -  Think twice about  direct-charging banks that have 2-3x the capacity of your alternator's rating.   If you need to do this use [[electrical:12v:b2b|a DC-DC charger]], external regulation, or current reduction with resistance as described elsewhere in this article.
+  -  Think twice about  direct-charging banks that have 2-3x the capacity of your alternator's rating.   If you need to do this use a **properly-sized** [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC charger]], external regulation, [[electrical:12v:alternator_details#thermal_switches|thermal switches]], current reduction with resistance as described elsewhere in this article, etc
   - do not idle to charge.
@@ Line 382: / Line 382: @@
 If you are driving long enough to reach the desired state of charge (80%, 100%, whatever), you can [[electrical:12v:alternator#disabling_alternator_charging|disable alternator charging]] if desired.
+===== addendum: advantages of direct charging =====
+**Cost**.  If you already own a combiner then it's already paid for.  If you are installing one new it would be much cheaper for the average current than DC-DC.
+Direct charging **tapers during Bulk** and DC-DC does not.  In effect the combiner provides the **most current when you need it most** (batteries are low) and the least when you need it least (batteries nearly charged).  This happens because when the batteries are more charged there is a smaller difference ("delta") between the alternator output and bank resting voltage (I=**V**/R again). There are some related effects:
+  * **direct charging backs off when other charging sources are present**.  This happens because the other charging sources affect the "resting" voltage of the bank and so the voltage delta.  This can help prevent excessive charge rates.  Example:  100Ah battery, 30A DC-DC and 30A solar.  If both systems were running full blast the combined charging would be 60A, or [[electrical:12v:battery_capacity|0.6C]].  That is above the recommend charging current (0.5C) of most drop-ins.  A combiner in the same situation might((based on my informal observations -- secessus)) drop to 15A contribution for a total of 45A.  That would be 0.45C. Of course if you want to hammer at full speed all the time then DC-DC is better for that.
+  * **direct charging backs off at higher states of charge**((in the upper knee)).  Cell manufacturer datasheets typically derate charging limits when the battery is >80% SoC. Engineering Explained has [[https://youtu.be/qYJk1Qljwgg?si=XPUVa3N9opEQIR0Z&t=288|a relatively-accessible video]] that explains how SoC and charge rate affect LiFePO4 degradation.

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