tiny generator to charge gel batteries

[XERTYX]

Mind = Blown

Haha. It really puts you in perspective when you talk to a professional. I have a lot to learn XD

I'll likely have to move from where I am currently soon. Halfway on and off grid. In the middle of 40 acres of virgin land. And there are plans to sell out on all sides soon so I gotta get my plans in action. Sigh.

 

[CosmickGold]

Man, I said "enough" and you all just kept going and going! Are you wearing long pink ears and a drum? (Hee-hee! [or rather, Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!])

You've written a lot of good information above I didn't know before.

But right after the message where I said "enough", I ordered two more Renogy panels as my solution, which I'm waiting here to be delivered today. That makes a total of four panels, exactly what Bob Wells said is normally enough. They are mono-panels to match the two panels that came with my original Renogy kit.

If I could start over, I'd follow your suggestions and get all poly-panels and at the lower price ($88 each?) I took off the Renogy "wanderer" (PWM) controller that came with my original Renogy kit, and replaced it with the Renogy "Rover" (MPPT) controller. And so I also changed my panel wiring from "paralel" to "series" to help the "Rover" be more efficient. Hopefully, all this will keep my GEL batteries happy. I'll just have to be careful how much power I consume during rainy seasons.

 

[highdesertranger]

hahaha threads take on a life of their own. just saying to stop posting ain't going to cut it. highdesertranger

 

[tx2sturgis]

We all have the power (and the privilege) of opening a new thread. Only the moderators have the power to close one.

Kinda like Hotel California....

 

[geogentry]

tx2sturgis

[emoji1787] now that's some funny stuff right there

Sent from my SM-J727V using Tapatalk

 

[LoupGarou]

Have you considered setting up a system where you can charge the batteries using solar, a generator and via the alternator all at the same time.

 

[CosmickGold]

Have you considered setting up a system where you can charge the batteries using solar, a generator and via the alternator all at the same time.

Ah! Now that's some creative thinking! / Positive thinking!

But not practical in the real world.  Here is a video about that idea, explaining (among other things) that your alternator was designed to only replace the 2 Amp hours of power used to start the engine.  It cant handle being asked to deep-charge a more deeply-drained, deep-cycle battery without eventually frying itself to death!

And getting an alternator, generator, and solar panels to all hold hands and sing a happy song together?  Beautiful dream, but the technical challenges are too much.  You know how siblings like to quarrel.

 

[B and C]

I have all three charging systems in my van and they play well together. If the alternator was only designed for 2 amp hours, why are they usually above 60 amps? The video you linked to is not very good and he has obviously never used a system with all charging devices. You can't believe everything you see on the internet. The guy talks about the panels straight to the battery, LOL. Every RV I have seen that has an engine uses the alternator to charge the house batteries and a shore charger/converter. Adding solar panels is a no brainer and nothing has to be disconnected.

 

[highdesertranger]

that's more a knock on the Kodiak then anything else. I would not charge a Kodiak anyway but what they say.

that video is very misleading. if you ask me he is full of it. I have been charging house batteries off of vehicle charging system for 45 years and never experienced premature alternator failure.

the reason they are putting larger alternators in vehicles today is the larger electrical load of todays cars. yes all that extra load is running off the alternator not the battery. 2 amps my ass.

they make welders that run off your stock vehicle alternator.

what happens every time you jump a dead battery?

most diesels have multiple batteries. as do RV's

I have been running 4 batteries for the last 20 years, with no alternator failure.

I have 3 ways to charge my batteries solar, alternator and battery charger I never unhook one to use the other, in fact I have had all 3 going at once and didn't fry anything.

now after saying all that, I will say that a alternator takes a very long time to recharge a dead battery. many, many hours of driving at highway speed not idling. however it takes a long time with solar and a battery charger too. here is the way I look at it you have an alternator if your engine is running anyway you my-as-well get what ever energy you can out of it.

another disclaimer, in many of your newer vehicles the voltage regulator is in the vehicles computer as is the AC control and almost everything else. vehicles that do this don't seem as robust they seem delicate and computers are expensive. I would never own one of these vehicles but if you do you need to figure it out. do you homework.

highdesertranger

 

[tx2sturgis]

But not practical in the real world. Here is a video about that idea, explaining (among other things) that your alternator was designed to only replace the 2 Amp hours of power used to start the engine. 

I'm gonna be blunt: Will Prowse is not the final word on what can be done. He even refers to this in that video.

It's a mix of facts, that can be confusing, although some of his information is in the 'ball-park'.

He was mostly referring to deeply discharged lithium batteries or a large bank of deeply discharged lead acid batteries.

Those lithium batteries can absolutely put a heavy load on an alternator...very true, so you would need a way to regulate the charging current AND voltage, using a battery-to-battery charging system like the Renogy B2B chargers.

But what he left out is the fact that normal automotive alternators can produce many dozens of amps (or hundreds of watts) continuously: they have to be able to operate the vehicle systems such as the electric radiator fan (if equipped) on some vehicles, the dash A/C blower, the headlights, brake lights, and running lights, fog or driving lights, power windows and maybe heated mirrors, the electric defoggers (if equipped), the ignition system, the vehicle computers, stereos, 12v lighters and power ports, heated seats, etc...

Don't get hung up on Will's reference of '2 ah' from an alternator as being the limit that they can provide and not fail. Jeeze.

In fact, most modern vehicles from the last 40 years or so have a fair amount of surplus capacity, probably in the range of 10 to 20 amps for an average midsize or above engine and alternator, and even more when you have a vehicle with a 100 amp (or above) alternator.

A modest sized lead-acid battery bank that is not deeply discharged can easily be charged with a normal alternator, providing you plan on driving for several hours to do it, and the battery temps are above freezing...since very cold lead acid batteries charge very slowly.

And as B and C stated, most normal solar charge controllers play well with other charging sources when they are available, you don't have to disconnect anything.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Apologies HDR, your post and mine kinda duplicated the same stuff, but I started and posted my reply before yours showed up on my end.