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Post by lollygagger on Dec 6, 2019 10:22:52 GMT
You know the things, 3.5kva 240v AC. Very handy too. I have one on the boat.
I was wondering, when the engine is running and it's on, what's charging the domestic bank? I have 2 other alternators as well as the travel power and a large inverter/charger.
Is it likely that both the domestic alt and the travel power through the 240v charger are both trying to charge the batteries?
What will happen when I add solar next year?
At times like this I wish I'd finished my electrical technician type apprenticeship or rather I wish it had been some use and worth finishing.
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bodgit
Junior Member
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Post by bodgit on Dec 6, 2019 10:44:21 GMT
Hi, our boat has a travelpower and a normal alternator plus solar, it has a separate inverter and a charger. From observing the system over the summer they all seem to talk to each other and work out what to do on their own  (I suspect they don't talk but are individually monitoring the battery state and slow the charge rate as the batteries fill up). When cruising the biggest charge rate seems to be the charger running from the travelpower, so I tend to do this if only doing a shortish move and then let the solar top up the rest. I know this doesn't really answer your question but maybe someone with more knowledge than me will be along to explain. |
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Post by Telemachus on Dec 6, 2019 10:47:29 GMT
We have a similar system. If the travelpower is on, its power will be going to the inverter/charger (Combi) and its charger mode will be supplying power to the batteries. As will the alternator(s). I say "(s)" because you may have two alternators, one large for the domestic and one small for the engine, or you may have two similar sized alternators connected together and using a split charge relay etc to organise charging the batteries together but ensuring they are not connected together when the engine is stopped. Anway, same difference!
The alternator(s) and Combi charger are quite happy working together. When the batteries are at a low SoC, both will be supplying current to the greedy batteries. But it is likely that the regulated voltage of the Combi isn't exactly the same as that of the alternator(s), so as the SoC increases and current consumed by the batteries decreases the device with the higher regulated voltage (Combi or alternator(s)) will start to dominate. It may well be that towards the end of the charge one of the devices isn't actually contributing any current at all. But no matter, the batteries have all the current they can eat.
When you add solar it will be more of the same. Depending on the regulated voltage of the 3 components and when the batteries are fairly well charged, one or more of the devices may not really be contributing to the charge but that doesn't matter because the batteries are being charged as fast as they can accept anyway.
The only issue you might get is that if the solar is set higher than the alternator(s),and with the batteries more or less fully charged, the alternator(s) will shut right down aiming to provide zero current. It/they do this by reducing their field current to zero. A consequence of this can be illumination of the alternator warning light and sounding of the buzzer, especially at low revs. It isn't a problem, just a nuisance. If it does occur you can reduce the solar regulated voltage, disconnect the panels or simply switch on a load.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2019 11:01:21 GMT
I have Travelpower, solar and alternator(s), don't know how but if I switch the travelpower on the electrons seems to get distributed to the parts that need them as if by magic, this even happens if the domestic alternator belt shreds itself again! Tis a good set up. Nick's reply might be more useful though.
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Post by samsam on Dec 6, 2019 11:53:00 GMT
That's the beauty of DC, no need to sync the supplies, highest wins out.
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Post by JohnV on Dec 7, 2019 8:05:12 GMT
That's the beauty of DC, no need to sync the supplies, highest wins out.  |
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