Adding Amps

[Bud]

Maybe someone could assist me with my application.

I'm mostly happy with an 05/04 Roadtrek 190 that has the usual 145 amp alternator and 2 group 27 marine batteries, about 180 amps. Much like booster had originally, now more like an electrical work of art.

I would like to add more amps as needed boondocking. I would not do it a lot as I move a lot or the solution would be more battery amps to start with I suppose. So there is Solar but that is noticeable expense wise, and it rains, etc. ........ I'm Not going to run that LOUD onan to charge batteries, and it takes forever compared to starting the cold Express Van engine and using the alternator. questions:

What rpm might be most efficient, ideal to charge the batteries, higher than idle?

At that ideal rpm how long might it take to add 50 amps from being down say 50%, or at what amp rate might the batteries be charging?

Is there a noticeable downside to doing this?

With only adding 50 amps is there any reason to spend the $'s to go the route of an additional alternator, wiring, and more yet....?

Thank you.

Bud

[booster]

Your 190 probably has an isolator and 50 amp breakers and a #6 cable to the batteries, so you are maxed at 50 amps right now. Moving up to 80 amp breakers and a #4 cable would get you 30 amps more. Ditching the isolator for a separator would give higher voltage to the batteries and charge faster, as the isolator costs about 3/4 volt in drop.

80 amps is nearing what the 145 amp alternator can do for extended periods considering it is also putting at least 15 amps to run the engine. Extended charging is hard on factory alternators as they aren't designed for that kind of use.

Some also depends on what you have for batteries and what they will accept. Count on about 20-25% of capacity max for wet cells, and more than you can likely deliver for nearly all AGM setups max.

A higher output alternator (maybe 185 amps or so) that is also better for handling heat might be needed for reliability, or carry a spare because it is your only alternator. If you can connect the coach batteries to run the engine easily, you could probably get by without the spare as the coach batteries would be big enough to run the engine as long as long as the alternator hasn't seized up or other catastrophic failure. That would get you to the store or shop to get a replacement.

About 1000 rpm engine should get you to nearly full output and a good compromise. If you look at the output curve for an alternator, the engine would be running at about 1/3 the speed of the alternator with the stock pulley.

You could likely do the alternator with an better quality one, change to a separator, and upgrade wiring and breaker to be at 80 amps, for about $600 in parts and some work. Probably $200-$250 without an alternator.

Depending on the bank size, you start to taper amps pretty early anyway, so that reduces need as you finish charging, but you would really only be doing a quick recovery of some capacity while idling, I assume, so you would be at full capacity the whole time. You would gain a little overall charging time while driving.

[Bud]

Thanks booster, but my head is starting to hurt trying to understand.

"About 1000 rpm engine should get you to nearly full output and a good compromise."

I forgot to mention that the 2 group 27 'marine' batteries are the inexpensive, add water kind.

So if I started the cold van engine with 50% left, 90 amps, about how long at 1000 rpm would it take to add 25 amps or 64% charged, and 50 amps or about a 78% charge?

Bud

[mkguitar]

other ways of thinking about it- what uses power?

all my lights are now led and my total lighting load with everything on ( never happens) is less than 2 amps cost about $80 my TV is 12 volt native 21" samsung, costco $125

the only things I have which need AC are the A/C and the microwave.

2.) get a small solar panel charge controller combo ( suitcase style) you can set up outside and kick it towards the sun every couple of hours.

Mike

[booster]

If those are the marine starting batteries, which is likely, they will be able to take the 50 amps you currently have available, but not a lot more, at 50% down. It will likely stay at the 50 amps, or close to it, up to 65-70% full, so about 30 minutes or bit longer, I would guess, to get the 25ah. With those batteries, going bigger in the charging system probably isn't going to get you much.

After that it will likely start slowing down, but every battery type and mfg is somewhat different. To get the next 25ah to get to the 78% might take twice as long, or 90 minutes total. Going to 100% could take upwards of 8 hours, so it really slows down. Would be ahead, I think, to just do the 25ah, and then do it again when you get to 50% again. Since you are not getting full anyway, the wear factor on the batteries will not be significantly different either way.

I don't mind wet cells, as we had them for years without major problems, but they are a kind of bad fit if you want more rapid changing available, or want to run a bigger inverter.

[Bud]

Yes, some would say cheap batteries too.

Thanks, very Helpful booster.

I have some thinking to do as the minutes involved over time are not too bad. Or then, maybe I need to attend that great big rv show in Florida in mid or late January. It has other solutions, new B's.

Bud

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by booster

Ditching the isolator for a separator would give higher voltage to the batteries and charge faster, as the isolator costs about 3/4 volt in drop.

I'm not sure but I think that by this year model, a separator is employed. But in any event, don't OBD II computers monitor battery voltage and adjust the alternator field windings to compensate for voltage drops experienced between the alternator and the battery?

[Bud]

Not a separator, and I've looked.

Bud

[booster]

Originally Posted by cruising7388

I'm not sure but I think that by this year model, a separator is employed. But in any event, don't OBD II computers monitor battery voltage and adjust the alternator field windings to compensate for voltage drops experienced between the alternator and the battery?

Bud answered the separator question, and a 2004 won't have the PCM controlled voltage regulation, so no problem. All it does is monitor the field % and adjust the van idle to compensate if it thinks it needs it. the voltage regulation is old school and built in to the alternator. Even our 2007 Chevy is the same way, as they didn't change until later than that.

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by booster

Bud answered the separator question, and a 2004 won't have the PCM controlled voltage regulation, so no problem. All it does is monitor the field % and adjust the van idle to compensate if it thinks it needs it. the voltage regulation is old school and built in to the alternator. Even our 2007 Chevy is the same way, as they didn't change until later than that.

Thanks for the correction. That surprises me because Chrysler as early as 1990 (OBD 1) implemented voltage regulation with PCM full control of the alternator field windings. Also the Surepower separator (1314) was in production back then. I notice that current RT Chevys with the Onan generator employ a 200 amp bidirectional version which IMO are inferior to the Blue Sea line of latching relay separators.

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by Bud

Not a separator, and I've looked.

Bud

Thanks for the heads up.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Bud

Yes, some would say cheap batteries too.

I have some thinking to do as the minutes involved over time are not too bad. Or then, maybe I need to attend that great big rv show in Florida in mid or late January. It has other solutions, new B's.

Bud

Well booster, it is not January and no new B here with my thinking completed. So in order to determine rpm, I spent $12.99 to have a bluetooth OBDII scanner to use with a smart phone. A free app will provide lots, or for $5 a little more yet that I won't use. Still it could be entertaining, I spent the $5.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I decided No Solar in about a nanosecond. Not really, about .5 second. Then I got to thinking about how many folks are ordering new B's with solar that have no financial need. It is a buzz word today like digital was years ago. Lot's of applications for solar though.

Thanks again booster. Oh, the cold (45 degrees F) Express Van engine idled at 1000 rpm! My guess would be almost 1/2 of that with a warm/hot engine. I have a very nice telescopic shower current rod to use to select the rpm. It is much shorter than the usual shower current rod.

Bud

[booster]

Originally Posted by Bud

Well booster, it is not January and no new B here with my thinking completed. So in order to determine rpm, I spent $12.99 to have a bluetooth OBDII scanner to use with a smart phone. A free app will provide lots, or for $5 a little more yet that I won't use. Still it could be entertaining, I spent the $5.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I decided No Solar in about a nanosecond. Not really, about .5 second. Then I got to thinking about how many folks are ordering new B's with solar that have no financial need. It is a buzz word today like digital was years ago. Lot's of applications for solar though.

Thanks again booster. Oh, the cold (45 degrees F) Express Van engine idled at 1000 rpm! My guess would be almost 1/2 of that with a warm/hot engine. I have a very nice telescopic shower current rod to use to select the rpm. It is much shorter than the usual shower current rod.

Bud

On thing you will find on the pre 2008 Chevies for sure, maybe later, is that the rpm will go up based on alternator charge rate. Ours would go to about 850rpm with the alternator working hard, regardless of temp.

Good you got a solution that works for your! I would agree completely that solar has a place, but most who have solar don't have a clue what that place is. To us, it serves a very valid purpose in our battery and power system use, but most folks have no idea what we use it for.

[gerrym51]

i have a 186 amp hour tppl agm battery. I have 200 watts of solar.

i find it very useful.

I do think solar with lithium batteries is dubious though.

AGM's like solar though

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by gerrym51

i have a 186 amp hour tppl agm battery. I have 200 watts of solar.

i find it very useful.

I do think solar with lithium batteries is dubious though.

AGM's like solar though

Assuming the solar controller is correctly programmed for the family of battery employed, why would lithium batteries be less suitable for solar support than AGMs?

[booster]

Originally Posted by cruising7388

Assuming the solar controller is correctly programmed for the family of battery employed, why would lithium batteries be less suitable for solar support than AGMs?

Lithium has a very high acceptance rate right up to totally full, so the solar is not as effective as other charge methods of getting fast recovery. EG, solar at 15 amps or an engine generator at 200 amps. Of course, if you have good sun, and don't use much power (uncommon for those with lithium), solar will be good for you.

AGM will only accept big amps until about 65% full, and then it tapers quickly to levels the solar can handle on it's own. The last 10% charging AGMs can take as long as the entire rest of the charge (4-5+ hours is common), so being able to not have to run the van, generator, or shore power to finish the charging can be quite important. Lithium would charge the last 10% in a matter of minutes off a big alternator, and with lithium you wouldn't even have to do that as lithium doesn't need to get full-ever.

[Davydd]

Most lithium installations are 400a and above. Available solar input becomes a much smaller percentage of contribution. Also driving with a second alternator is vastly superior in charging than solar or an Onan generator when you can charge at a high rate of over 200 amps. Because you don't have that long float with lithiums you can recharge to 100% rather fast. While on the road, solar is negligible especially in the winter months and low angle sun incidence or camping in heavily wood campgrounds in the summer. I am not convinced it is much of a contributor for parked maintenance at home for lithium ion batteries with more efficient options.

[avanti]

Originally Posted by Davydd

I am not convinced it is much of a contributor for parked maintenance at home for lithium ion batteries with more efficient options.

But, if you DON'T have access to said more efficient options (i.e., if you park outdoors without access to shore power), a solar setup is ideal for keeping your battery topped up and healthy, regardless of chemistry. For this purpose, there is no point in a high-capacity solar system--a modest system will suffice, assuming you don't have huge parasitic loads while parked.

[Davydd]

You are going to need more efficient options with lithium ion batteries especially in cold climate regions. Efficient means shore power of at least 15 amps for battery heat or stored in a controlled climate building which also means shore power most likely would be available.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Davydd

You are going to need more efficient options with lithium ion batteries especially in cold climate regions. Efficient means shore power of at least 15 amps for battery heat or stored in a controlled climate building which also means shore power most likely would be available.

Yes - freezing temps are the "Achilles Heal" of lithium batteries. They require new thinking when winterizing your RV with lithium batteries. This problem will also limit the market for Electric Vehicles that now all use lithium.



- - Mike
2012 Sprinter 3500 Extended converted B-Van by Airstream