Date: Sun, 25 Jun 2006 13:53:00 -0400
Reply-To: David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Making an alternator a smarter charger? [LVC]
In-Reply-To: <449EBFE6.5060702@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
At 09:55 AM 6/25/2006 -0700, Michael Elliott wrote:
>So I'm looking Ample Power's Next Step voltage regulator:
>http://www.amplepower.com/products/ns2/index.html
>
>It monitors the output voltage of the alternator, and adjusts that
>voltage according to how you set its Absorption Voltage, Absorption
>Time, and Float voltage trimpots. It also accepts a thermal sensor to
>monitor the temperature and modify charging voltages accordingly. It
>looks pretty cool to me -- does anyone have any experience with it, or
>with a similar device?
I have the previous version, without the computer options and
such. It behaves *precisely* as advertised, and will stuff 200
amp-hours from a 35-amp alternator running flat-out in about six
hours (this is on a 30-hp Atomic Four marine engine which previously
could piddle around for days without charging the %$^#%
batteries. The routine is now four days or so without touching the
engine and then 6-7 hours at about 1300 rpm which is still very
quiet. Rinse and repeat until the cruise is done. The needle is
steady at 30+ amps until the last hour and then tapers -- previously
it would taper down to about 5 amps or so over the course of an hour
and then go like that forever.
One caveat I'm sure you haven't missed in the literature --
automotive alternators do not contemplate running flat-out for long,
since the designers are well aware of the regulator
characteristics. Either use an alternator rated for continuous
output or arrange to supply additional fresh-air cooling to the
existing one if you want it to survive.
Do it. You may shudder at the initial expense but that is the actual
cost to have this job done for you automatically. Anything less is
sending boys to do a man's job. The unit itself is absolutely
rock-solid and conforms precisely to its published specs. Or if
you're willing to supply sweat equity, get a rheostat or a few light
bulbs and manually control the alternator field for the bulk and
absorption phases as ocean cruisers have done forever. Quite cheap
but it will bite you if you get distracted. Your nickel...
--
David Beierl - Providence RI USA -- http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage," '85 GL "Poor Relation"
