NOTE: Only using the alternator to charge your house batts will only bring the charge state to about 80-90% and stop there. You'll need a separate charge controller which can properly top/float/etc.. charge them to 100%. Long story short, the alternator does not have enough voltage to bring your house batts to full charge and while it is not fatal, it may prematurely cause them to fail sooner. This guy's setup is OK since solar MPPT controller can top them off and uses the alternator to do most of the bulk charging when the engine is running.
Thanks, I am trying to figure out the diagram for my RV and my boat, so end results is what you speak of. In my case I have one starter battery and two deep cycle RV/Marine batteries for house batteries wired together in parallel for 12v output. However, my research shows best practices is for you to limit the charge to your house and starter batteries. Saves alternator life and saves battery life to have balanced charging especially if your add more house batteries. More than one way to do this too. External voltage regulator that is turned on/off by your type of setup that charges say house batteries first, but reduced amps from alternator, then a dc to dc charge controller to charge starter battery. Down side: costs more, and has more hardware to fail but prolongs alternator life and battery life.
You might not know it, but the split-charge relay does all that sensing itself. you just need to hook it up between your batteries, put a manual switch on the ground connection for the relay to be able to shut it completely off, when you absolutely do not want it to steal juice from your alternator. Also, the sprinter has a smart-charging system. meaning, it wont charge enough to power your 2nd battery when the engine is under load or you do not draw very much power from the starter battery.
wow dude... this should be the explanation for how to make how to videos... GREAT STUFF. Why use an isolator when you can relay?... i'm kind of wondering that still... thank you brother!!
Great video, thanks! Very well explained. I'm going to have a 24v battery system, but my van is 12v. So probably won't install charging off the alternator, will have to rely on solar and shore power.
Thanks, yes I considered that and may do it. I couldn't find ones that handle much current though. And I need to figure out how much spare current my alternator has. The van has dual 12V batteries already.
Eat Sleep Van You can get 20 amp DC-DC converters pretty reasonable in price. Set the output to the max 20 amps and 29.6 volts (for charging 24 volt nominal led acid batteries). 20 amps isn't a huge amount but depending on your battery bank it's pretty close to the max the batteries will charge at with now loads anyway.
Hey there Oleg. Great explanation. After a year now, hows it all holding up? Also what additional system have you installed now you have solar to a) charge via alternator and or solar. And b) stop over charging. Cheers big ears
Instead of an automatic relay, I’d use a switch connected to pin 85 so you can turn it on/off inside the vehicle so you don’t have to manually shut it off wherever the circuit breaker is.
Hi Oleg, By adding another voltage sensing relay on the leisure battery side, would I be able to turn this system into a ‘dual sensing relay’? I’ve got the bits to make the relay like you have, just thought another voltage sensor (drl switch) could activate the relay from the other side too, when the leisure batteries are fully charged!?
solar charger and alternator works at the same time, but its hardly could overcharge batteries. There is smart controller in MTTP charger that prevents overcharging from solar. You even setup type and capacity of batteries so it could work more precise. Alternator charger more simple and it depends of how old vehicle is. Most basic alternators just works with 13.5-14V and thats fine. After battery reach 100% it will have about same voltage as alternator and not taking more charge from it. Because by DC laws charge only goes from high voltage to low voltage source. If voltage is the same - nothing happens. More advanced alternator trying to charge battery to 80-90% as fast as possible (with 14.5-15V) and after that it drops voltage to 13V for smooth healthy charging of remaining 10%. Of course that way is much better for battery. But in conclusion - answer is: no, if solar controller and alternator works properly you couldn't overcharge your batteries.
Nice job!! I already bought the pieces but still fighting to make it work. I connect the voltage identifier to the battery (where do I connect the yellow one?) but even if I start the engine and get more than 13V the identifier has no voltage in the output and won't make the relay work. Any suggestions?
If I am reading this correctly, if you connect the yellow wire to the battery terminal, it will change the output voltage to six volts. It would appear that one would need to have the yellow wire not connected to anything to get this to work. I have not purchased one yet as the extra wire is a cautious idea yet.
If house battery is completely discharged, and car battery has full charge, will the car battery overcharge and explode? Be safe, install dual alternator.
My 2013 sprinter 2500. I did the cct connection just as you instructed, started the vehicle, the sound of the engine changed I quickly turned it off. Nothing went wrong though. Is it normal, the engine sound change? And that not withstanding, The roof AC blower started sounding weird but still ok .
Hi! It's too little information to know if you install it correctly or not. Engine sound could change a little because additional load on alternator, but not that much and hardly noticeable. If you not sure - show your install to someone who understand car electric systems. Maybe there is nothing to worry about, maybe it is.
Если падает напряжение ниже 13 вольт то не работает выключатель спарка 2 аккумов?У меня одного такая проблема или есть такой момент.Пропадает минус.Проблему я решил подачей напряжения - (минус)через выключатель.Просто интересно -у меня одного так или это так и есть!
It will be nice to know if it is possible to charge all baterries, from alternator, solar panel and the mains 220v of a Camper Parking and how to switch from one source of power and other to charge batteries. Thank you. Nice video as always
+Juan Gonzalez all 12v dc power (solar, alternator and 220-12v charger) could work at the same time. Its fine. For different 220v ac sources you must install switch
Is the car Battery made only for car use and is the house Battery's made only for RVs (Caravan) use? How long can you run you car engine with out hurting it? How mach gas is used when you run the engine only to charge the Battery's?
> Is the car Battery made only for car use and is the house Battery's made only for RVs (Caravan) use Kind of. They called "starting battery" and "deep-cycle battery". They are different and if you use them with the right purpose - they will last much longer. Read here www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/battery-articles/battery-basics.html#2 > How long can you run you car engine with out hurting it For very long, engine is made for this and on low rpm it could run many hours. But it was the point of my installation - mostly i made this for time i driving somewhere, so it great chance to charge my batteries at the same time. >How mach gas is used when you run the engine only to charge the Battery's? For engine it is not much difference to charge something or not - alternator works anyway. Consumption depends on model and engine size, about 1-2L/hour. For 2.1 diesel sprinter it's about 0.7 - 1L/H
Is not free power, is more like converting combustible to electricity, also be aware about connecting two types of batteries in parallel and the wire thickness. An empty lipofe4 of 200AH can draw 200A as the specs claims to be able to charge at 1C, ofcorse the system needs to be able to give 200A, but even 50-ish Amps can turn wires into light bulb filaments and you don't want a 1,085 °C / 1985°F heating next to plastics.
Have a new car, no ignition + in the fuse box, no plug that turn on and the voltage isnt over 12,5V everytime the egine run. I dont have a clue how i can detect if the engine is running...
Yes that was how i learned it too. But in todays cars, yout Battery shouldnt load fully. In Germany its named mini recuperation System. The Battery is only load up to 50-60% and then the alternator only loads with under 12,5V. Sometimes only 12V. Its really a problem for People like us with extra House (i named them comfort) batteries. In the moment i use the 5V+DC on the speaker wire, that most Radios switch on, when they are running. Didnt find another soultion yet ;( The comfort Batterie I have iam loading with a B2B Booster :(
If your car is a hybrid, the voltage will be low while the gasoline engine is off, and the voltage will be high when it is on. So you will not have as much time for it to charge the secondary batteries.
love this explanation. so straight forward.
NOTE: Only using the alternator to charge your house batts will only bring the charge state to about 80-90% and stop there. You'll need a separate charge controller which can properly top/float/etc.. charge them to 100%. Long story short, the alternator does not have enough voltage to bring your house batts to full charge and while it is not fatal, it may prematurely cause them to fail sooner. This guy's setup is OK since solar MPPT controller can top them off and uses the alternator to do most of the bulk charging when the engine is running.
when driving my voltmeter shows the alternator puts out 14.5 Volts.
Thanks, I am trying to figure out the diagram for my RV and my boat, so end results is what you speak of. In my case I have one starter battery and two deep cycle RV/Marine batteries for house batteries wired together in parallel for 12v output. However, my research shows best practices is for you to limit the charge to your house and starter batteries. Saves alternator life and saves battery life to have balanced charging especially if your add more house batteries. More than one way to do this too. External voltage regulator that is turned on/off by your type of setup that charges say house batteries first, but reduced amps from alternator, then a dc to dc charge controller to charge starter battery. Down side: costs more, and has more hardware to fail but prolongs alternator life and battery life.
You might not know it, but the split-charge relay does all that sensing itself. you just need to hook it up between your batteries, put a manual switch on the ground connection for the relay to be able to shut it completely off, when you absolutely do not want it to steal juice from your alternator. Also, the sprinter has a smart-charging system. meaning, it wont charge enough to power your 2nd battery when the engine is under load or you do not draw very much power from the starter battery.
wow dude... this should be the explanation for how to make how to videos... GREAT STUFF. Why use an isolator when you can relay?... i'm kind of wondering that still... thank you brother!!
Thanks. Very useful but still unclear if the relay closes by 12V control wires or voltage supply above 13,4V from alternator automatically
Great video, thanks! Very well explained.
I'm going to have a 24v battery system, but my van is 12v. So probably won't install charging off the alternator, will have to rely on solar and shore power.
You still could get 12V->24V convertor
Thanks, yes I considered that and may do it. I couldn't find ones that handle much current though. And I need to figure out how much spare current my alternator has. The van has dual 12V batteries already.
Eat Sleep Van You can get 20 amp DC-DC converters pretty reasonable in price. Set the output to the max 20 amps and 29.6 volts (for charging 24 volt nominal led acid batteries). 20 amps isn't a huge amount but depending on your battery bank it's pretty close to the max the batteries will charge at with now loads anyway.
Aideepen 1200W 20A DC Converter Boost Car Step-up Power Supply Module 8-60V to 12-83V www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSYVMAL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.PEkBbS5JCDSH
What is the name of the small voltage sensing relay that recognizes that the alternator is running? Can't find such a relay on eBay. Please help
Found it drl or TFL relay
Hey there Oleg. Great explanation. After a year now, hows it all holding up? Also what additional system have you installed now you have solar to a) charge via alternator and or solar. And b) stop over charging.
Cheers big ears
Great video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Fantastic share, thank you for the thorough delivery. Great stuff.
glad you like it, enjoy
Thank you friend this helped a lot.
Thank you so much, man. You just saved me 50 bucks!
Instead of an automatic relay, I’d use a switch connected to pin 85 so you can turn it on/off inside the vehicle so you don’t have to manually shut it off wherever the circuit breaker is.
do you have a link for the jumper switch please and is that the actual name for it thanks
The charging any cut off if fully???
Hi Oleg,
By adding another voltage sensing relay on the leisure battery side, would I be able to turn this system into a ‘dual sensing relay’? I’ve got the bits to make the relay like you have, just thought another voltage sensor (drl switch) could activate the relay from the other side too, when the leisure batteries are fully charged!?
Great and simple, thanks Oleg!
Олег, ты похож на Ивана Яковину, политолог и журналист на Ютубе. И жалко что не отсылаешь свой товар в США!
200A fuse not too big ? how to choose correct size? by the way, EXCELLENT video. Well done
Hi. On the auto switch there is a yellow cable. Does this need wiring somewhere or is it redundant?
Thanks in advance Glenn
Hi! For this purpose you don't need to use yellow wire
Can I use this isolator 200A for 5Ah and 2.5Ah batteries? I want to install it in my touring motorcycle at cheaper price.
yes, could go with a smaller one 30-50-100a relay is more than enough on a motorcycle!
Hey, how about overcharging the batteries in the back? Will the solarpanels keep charging the system when your alternator is charging the batteries?
solar charger and alternator works at the same time, but its hardly could overcharge batteries. There is smart controller in MTTP charger that prevents overcharging from solar. You even setup type and capacity of batteries so it could work more precise.
Alternator charger more simple and it depends of how old vehicle is.
Most basic alternators just works with 13.5-14V and thats fine. After battery reach 100% it will have about same voltage as alternator and not taking more charge from it. Because by DC laws charge only goes from high voltage to low voltage source. If voltage is the same - nothing happens.
More advanced alternator trying to charge battery to 80-90% as fast as possible (with 14.5-15V) and after that it drops voltage to 13V for smooth healthy charging of remaining 10%. Of course that way is much better for battery.
But in conclusion - answer is: no, if solar controller and alternator works properly you couldn't overcharge your batteries.
Nice job!! I already bought the pieces but still fighting to make it work. I connect the voltage identifier to the battery (where do I connect the yellow one?) but even if I start the engine and get more than 13V the identifier has no voltage in the output and won't make the relay work. Any suggestions?
If I am reading this correctly, if you connect the yellow wire to the battery terminal, it will change the output voltage to six volts. It would appear that one would need to have the yellow wire not connected to anything to get this to work. I have not purchased one yet as the extra wire is a cautious idea yet.
If house battery is completely discharged, and car battery has full charge, will the car battery overcharge and explode? Be safe, install dual alternator.
My 2013 sprinter 2500. I did the cct connection just as you instructed, started the vehicle, the sound of the engine changed I quickly turned it off. Nothing went wrong though. Is it normal, the engine sound change? And that not withstanding, The roof AC blower started sounding weird but still ok .
Hi! It's too little information to know if you install it correctly or not. Engine sound could change a little because additional load on alternator, but not that much and hardly noticeable. If you not sure - show your install to someone who understand car electric systems. Maybe there is nothing to worry about, maybe it is.
Если падает напряжение ниже 13 вольт то не работает выключатель спарка 2 аккумов?У меня одного такая проблема или есть такой момент.Пропадает минус.Проблему я решил подачей напряжения - (минус)через выключатель.Просто интересно -у меня одного так или это так и есть!
It will be nice to know if it is possible to charge all baterries, from alternator, solar panel and the mains 220v of a Camper Parking and how to switch from one source of power and other to charge batteries. Thank you. Nice video as always
+Juan Gonzalez yes its possible. You could install 220-12v charger or use 12-220 invertor with that charger built-in
+Juan Gonzalez all 12v dc power (solar, alternator and 220-12v charger) could work at the same time. Its fine. For different 220v ac sources you must install switch
th-cam.com/video/7qEL_kjaV8o/w-d-xo.html
+Juan Gonzalez yea Greg is great. He did all that on next level
does is boil the starter battery when its full and second is not
If I use LFPo4 battery for motorhome, need to install alternator also?
Nice review and job
Спасибо, супер полезно
If you hook the relay to 12v acc and crank you would have both battery's for the starter.
yes, but usually i don't want to waste my house batteries power for engine starting. I need that power for myself :)
Excellent thankyou
Hi how did you wire up the switch please?
what is the solar system charging?
Alternator charges starter battery even when it is full when relay is charging second battery, and water boils
Is the car Battery made only for car use and is the house Battery's made only for RVs (Caravan) use? How long can you run you car engine with out hurting it? How mach gas is used when you run the engine only to charge the Battery's?
> Is the car Battery made only for car use and is the house Battery's made only for RVs (Caravan) use
Kind of. They called "starting battery" and "deep-cycle battery". They are different and if you use them with the right purpose - they will last much longer. Read here www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/battery-articles/battery-basics.html#2
> How long can you run you car engine with out hurting it
For very long, engine is made for this and on low rpm it could run many hours. But it was the point of my installation - mostly i made this for time i driving somewhere, so it great chance to charge my batteries at the same time.
>How mach gas is used when you run the engine only to charge the Battery's?
For engine it is not much difference to charge something or not - alternator works anyway. Consumption depends on model and engine size, about 1-2L/hour. For 2.1 diesel sprinter it's about 0.7 - 1L/H
Thank for the information it helps me understand what you were taking about! Keep the Videos
coming they are interesting.
lol! great video thanks
*Did he blink ? even once?*
NO HE DID NOT!!!!!
I take that back, check it out at 8:00
Is not free power, is more like converting combustible to electricity, also be aware about connecting two types of batteries in parallel and the wire thickness. An empty lipofe4 of 200AH can draw 200A as the specs claims to be able to charge at 1C, ofcorse the system needs to be able to give 200A, but even 50-ish Amps can turn wires into light bulb filaments and you don't want a 1,085 °C / 1985°F heating next to plastics.
Thank you for doing in English. Pat
i bought aliexpress is it safety for car?
Aliexpress is online shop. You bought what?
Как в школе побывал на уроке английского )))))
Have a new car, no ignition + in the fuse box, no plug that turn on and the voltage isnt over 12,5V everytime the egine run. I dont have a clue how i can detect if the engine is running...
+youMarv21 well it must to be 13V+ somewhere! 12.5v is too low voltage to charge up the battery!
Yes that was how i learned it too. But in todays cars, yout Battery shouldnt load fully. In Germany its named mini recuperation System. The Battery is only load up to 50-60% and then the alternator only loads with under 12,5V. Sometimes only 12V. Its really a problem for People like us with extra House (i named them comfort) batteries. In the moment i use the 5V+DC on the speaker wire, that most Radios switch on, when they are running. Didnt find another soultion yet ;( The comfort Batterie I have iam loading with a B2B Booster :(
If your car is a hybrid, the voltage will be low while the gasoline engine is off, and the voltage will be high when it is on. So you will not have as much time for it to charge the secondary batteries.
How about considering TrueAm dual battery isolator kit? See it at www.dfna.info
I will never understand electrical
Ha ha ha, 200A relay from Joom.
А на русском не мог сделать?
damn your a cutie lol
Отписка...нудно,слушать просто невозможно...good luck.
+Jon Doe чтож, жаль что вам не интересен такой формат, удачи