Battery charging conflicts

June 19, 2012, 04:27:48 pm

I'm trying to understand exactly how the battery charging systems work on my coach. More specifically, what happens if 2 or more are running at the same time. For example, if I'm driving down the road, the alternator is charging the house batteries, but if I turn on the generator to run the roof A/C's, then the inverter is also charging the batteries. Or what about when I add solar panels and am driving down the road. Same question. How sophisticated is the alternator at charging the batteries? Looks like they have aftermarket 3 stage regulators .
Would these be of much benefit?

Re: Battery charging conflicts

Reply #1 – June 19, 2012, 04:52:59 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 80315

The Inverter and solar charge control will do the same as the 3 stage regulator. In other words, they are 3 stage regulator systems. The alternator does the basic same thing. As for running several systems, the batteries can accept just so much at one time. As each of the systems regulators see the batteries with another system, say- main alternator charge, going in, the others will get a voltage reading that says the batteries are already charged and drop to the lowest charge rating and set there until the engine shuts off and the battery voltage drops. Then, lets say solar system, will read the batteries are at a lower voltage and will charge until the solar regulator say the batteries are full and it shuts down to the lowest charge level. In short, as long as all charge systems are working as they should, nothing adverse happens when they are all on. They all work off battery voltage and a alternator change looks like battery voltage to them and they adjust accordingly.

Leonard
97' Magna
5418

Country Coach Owners Forum Country Coach Motorcoach Forum