On Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:18:25 +0100, Steve Wood <[email protected]> wrote:
>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? Yes, I would take a hard look at the regulator control. If standard settings still do not get you up to 29.6v or thereabouts then take a look at Chris's site for the additional diode mod. You could switch this in and out as required if you did not want to cruise 8 hours at that voltage. I have used it to great effect on a smaller system with Trojans. What battery type do you have? The other area to look at is obviously cable sizes + and - from the alternator to the bank. Well worth doing a comparison between Alternator terminal voltage and battery terminal voltage when pushing 160A or more. -- Richard
