Date:         Wed, 14 Jul 2021 16:21:59 -0400
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Fwd: CORRECTED Can I Set 14.6 volts at the Alternator?
In-Reply-To:  <CAMOH8LKWoHOJWKFgPSZ3nHrZnzmzC24qtr8-04xCyZVDVSWgLg@mail.gmail.com>
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---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net>
Date: Wed, Jul 14, 2021 at 4:20 PM
Subject: Re: CORRECTED Can I Set 14.6 volts at the Alternator?
To: Derek Drew <derekdrew@derekmail.com>
Cc: vanagonlist a <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>


CORRECTED 14.6 volts, not 13.6
>

Ask Odyssey if it's ok to float the battery at 14.6V once charging is
completed.  I anticipate their answer will be no.  In that case I'd set the
voltage down to 14.1 at the alternator and plan on external charging when
you can, or put in a flooded-cell starter battery and use a DC-to-DC smart
charger to charge your Odyssey as a house battery.  Or if cost is not an
issue, modify the alternator to accept an external voltage regulator and
install a marine type smart regulator that will do three-stage charging.
That's an expensive route but will give you fastest charge rate.  Note that
you may have to bring cold air to the back of the alternator as being an
automotive alternator it's not expecting to run at full output for long
periods.

If they say it's ok to float at 14.6V then go ahead and set 14.6 at the
battery at 85F unless there's a specific piece of gear that specifies lower
voltage (some compressor fridges maybe?).  Lamps, particularly halogens,
may fail earlier.

Batteries are a *huge* subject that will repay study.  I suggest starting
with the Trojan battery user guide from Trojan Battery.
https://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/TrojanBattery_UsersGuide.pdf

Yrs,
d