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electrical:12v:power_mix [2023/10/20 11:51]
frater_secessus [shore power] 		electrical:12v:power_mix [2024/04/13 18:17] (current)
frater_secessus [alternator]
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 For this reason the solar + alternator combination is the most common and effective charging approach for vehicle dwellers.  But there are times when one of these (or some other source) might do the majority of heavy lifting, or other forms of charging might be best suited to your particular use case.  For this reason the solar + alternator combination is the most common and effective charging approach for vehicle dwellers.  But there are times when one of these (or some other source) might do the majority of heavy lifting, or other forms of charging might be best suited to your particular use case. 
  
 +Note:  [[electrical:12v:multipoint_charging|charging concurrently from multiple sources]] is normal and generally beneficial.
 ===== alternator ===== ===== alternator =====
  
 [[electrical:12v:alternator|Alternator charging]] is usually the biggest bang-for-buck charging offgrid.((bulk stage charging, at least))  It is automatic((unless you are using a manual switch, not recommended)) and will charge whenever you are driving.  **Consider the alternator as the backbone of your charging if you drive daily or near-daily**.   [[electrical:12v:alternator|Alternator charging]] is usually the biggest bang-for-buck charging offgrid.((bulk stage charging, at least))  It is automatic((unless you are using a manual switch, not recommended)) and will charge whenever you are driving.  **Consider the alternator as the backbone of your charging if you drive daily or near-daily**.  
  
-For many people [[electrical:12v:alternator#combiners|a plain combiner]] (relay, solenoid, VSR, "isolator") will be cheap and highly effective for [[electrical:12v:charging#bulk_stage|Bulk charging]]. +For many people [[electrical:12v:alternator#combiners|a plain combiner]] (relay, solenoid, VSR, "isolator") will be cheap and highly effective for [[electrical:12v:charging#bulk_stage|Bulk charging]]. Direct charging like this will often be most efficient in early morning [[electrical:12v:alternator#charging_current_patterns|when bank voltage is the lowest]].  
  
 However, some cases suggest a more expensive [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC charger]] setup: However, some cases suggest a more expensive [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC charger]] setup:
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   * mandatory if you have a "smart" (variable voltage) alternator, common in Europe on recent models   * mandatory if you have a "smart" (variable voltage) alternator, common in Europe on recent models
   * mandatory if you have a large house bank (of any chemistry) compared to [[electrical:12v:alternator_details#current|your alternator's output rating]]   * mandatory if you have a large house bank (of any chemistry) compared to [[electrical:12v:alternator_details#current|your alternator's output rating]]
-  * suggested if you want a more predictable charge rate+  * suggested if you want a more predictable charge rate;  DC-DC charge rates are typically consistent all the way through Bulk stage, no matter what the bank voltage is. 
   * suggested if you want more of a hands-off approach    * suggested if you want more of a hands-off approach 
  
  
 +**Alternator-only charging** [[electrical:12v:mandatory_solar|can work with lithium banks]] but for technical reasons solar or shore-power charging is usually required with lead batteries. 
  
  
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 Having panel permanently mounted on the vehicle can be a quality of life upgrade;  it is charging anytime the sun is falling on them.   Having panel permanently mounted on the vehicle can be a quality of life upgrade;  it is charging anytime the sun is falling on them.  
  
-**Consider mounted solar as a backbone of your charging if you spend a lot of time in open areas** with good insolation.  Camping in non-forested areas, for example. +**Consider mounted solar as a backbone of your charging if you spend a lot of time emplaced in open areas** with good insolation.  Camping in non-forested areas, for example. 
  
  
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 ==== portable solar ==== ==== portable solar ====
  
-Portable solar can work alone, augment the mounted panel((seperate controllers)), can be placed in sun, and can usually be angled for maximal harvest.  +[[opinion:frater_secessus:portable_panels|Portable solar]] can work alone, can augment the mounted panel((separate controllers)), can be placed in sun, and can usually be angled for maximal harvest.  
  
  
-**Consider mounted solar as a backbone of your charging if you spend a lot of time in areas of shade adjacent to areas with clear sun**.  In a forest with canopy openings, for example. +**Consider portable solar as a backbone of your charging if you spend a lot of time emplaced in areas of shade adjacent to areas with clear sun**.  In a forest with canopy openings, for example. 
  
  
   * must be set out to work   * must be set out to work
   * works well - when set out in the sun, especially when tilted toward the sun.   * works well - when set out in the sun, especially when tilted toward the sun.
-  * works poorly - when not deployed+  * works poorly - when not deployed, like for people who move a lot or who do not diligently set up / take down the portables.  
 + 
 +One way to **predict if you will reliably set up the portables**:  how full is your vehicle's gas tank and your phone battery right now?  If you are a "never let it get low" type you will likely set out portables consistently.  If you are a "always running on [E]mpty" type you are less likely to set out the portables. This is a not a moral judgement, but rather a way to help assess whether or not portables would be a good source of power for your use case.   
 + 
  
  
electrical/12v/power_mix.1697817067.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/10/20 11:51 by frater_secessus

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