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electrical:12v:power_mix [2023/10/21 20:03]
frater_secessus [mounted solar] |
electrical:12v:power_mix [2024/04/13 18:17] (current)
frater_secessus [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**. |
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| 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]]. However, some cases suggest a more expensive [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC charger]] setup: | 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]]. |
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| | 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 |
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| **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. | **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. |
| ==== portable solar ==== | ==== portable solar ==== |
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| 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. |
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| **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. |
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| * 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. |
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| | 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. |
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