Date:         Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:51:12 -0700
Reply-To:     Richard A Jones <jones@COLORADO.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard A Jones <jones@COLORADO.EDU>
Subject:      Re: alternator--voltage vs amps
In-Reply-To:  <491C0E20.1020600@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Thanks to replies from David, Dennis, Neil and Mark,
I've seen the error of my ways.

I didn't see how the regulator controlling the voltage
could change the amp output of the alternator, but now
I see that the regulator varies the current to the
rotor, which controls the output of the alternator, and
hence the voltage, which is what the regulator looks at.

So if there is no need for amps, none are produced, which
had to be the answer, but I couldn't get to it.

To put in the RVC, I was trying to understand the charging
of my aux battery.  I don't need more amps; maybe I need
fewer amps over a longer time.  But I need the correct
voltage to push the amps into the battery.  [In the mtn
cabin photovoltaic system I maintain, the batteries go
to 20 degrees F in the winter and we have to up the charge
set point to 15.8V to fully charge them.  Warmer batteries
in the summer (well, up to 55 degrees) and a lower voltage
from the controller.]

It was 20 degrees the other day camping with Leon near
Moab and I was wondering how fully charged my batteries
were.  Compared to a solar system, the alternator system
is a lot of tradeoffs so everything works "pretty OK"--
except maybe an aux battery when you really need it. ;-)

Thanks!
Richard

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