Electricky Dicky wrote: > My immediate question is "Why do you expect or want more than 160A > from the unit?" > > IMHO very high output alternators are best used when needing to drive > a very high DC load. Say running a 5Kw inverter at full whack. Unless > you have an "extremely large" battery bank that is "flat" plus a > separate load you will not see full output.
There is indeed an "extremely large" battery bank - 1080Ah @ 24V in the domestics. I live aboard and specified the system so that I could go a week between recharges if needed - work could take me across the country at no notice or I might be working strange hours and not awake on board at sociable times for running the engine. Also I wanted to be sure that if I was recharging whilst moored I had good load on the engine to avoid bore glazing and minimise charging times/fuel use. The system does that but not as well as I think it could. I've never managed charge the batteries as fully via the alternator as I can via the Victron inverter/charger when hooked up to a land line, even when on the move all day. That to me suggests the alternator voltage needs nudging upwards. Agreed? Steve NB Bream
