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electrical:12v:directcharginglfp [2024/11/22 12:46]
frater_secessus [addendum: other charging reports] added benefits
electrical:12v:directcharginglfp [2025/03/28 16:27] (current)
frater_secessus [failures]
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 === why does C appear to decrease as bank size increases? === === 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)) >> 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))
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 === lessons === === 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|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.    - do not idle to charge. 
  
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 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 **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 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** tapers dramatically 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.  +  * **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.  
  
  
electrical/12v/directcharginglfp.1732297586.txt.gz · Last modified: 2024/11/22 12:46 by frater_secessus