alternator to charge batteries..

Originally posted by 1LOWCHERO@Oct 9 2003, 08:32 PM
Good idea, but lacks mechanical dependability. Charge batts traditional way, or get a Streetcharger. I dont trust relays/solenoids in hydraulics very much, why would I want them to isolate high voltage from my car system, tooo risky. I'm sure there are untold horror stories involved too. But it is a good idea.....

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No, untold horror stories. Unless you count the fact that as I was trying to build it (7 or 8 years ago) I did go through about 30 fuses trying to get things right; but that's just a part of designing something new. I'm a designer so I typically build for failure. So I pretty much know the worst that can happen. At this point, the worst thing that can happen is I forget to turn the main switch off and the solenoid stops working. That's why I have a second solenoid in that spot as a back-up. The only other thing is that if that solenoid sticks closed and the charging is on, it could possibly start trying to charge 24 volts (as you mentioned). And of course it's seriously fused to keep this from happening. And as far as isolation goes, of course I have a battery isolator between the batteries and my alternator. And again, of course, this is seriously fused. I could go on about all of the "safety" features I have built into this thing, but it would take too long. But if you want to know something specific, let me know.
And like I said before, I would probably have a Streetcharger but I came up with this before Streetchargers came out. It works fine, so I'm sticking with it.
And another thing, to back up the entire system, I have a built-in charger so that if a need a deep overnight charge, I just unwind a cord and plug it in.

And also, since a few people asked, you can find a diagram of it here.



It's pretty intrisic so I would only recommend it to those with patience. And as a disclaimer, this diagram is for informational purposes only. Try this at your own risk. (I have to do that part.)



Last edited by BOUNCIN89MERC2LOW97LHS at Oct 11 2003, 12:09 AM

I think I've got the jist of this setup.

It's all about manipulation of the current.

1) set up is a 12 volt setup with all the batteries being connected in parallel.

2) The 2nd setup is all the batteries being connected in series.

It's very simple at it's core. The theory (correct me if I'm wrong). Is that you have to disconnect each system before connecting the other.

You will basically have three main switches inbetween each battery.

Once switch to disconnect the negative to negative, another switch to disconnect the positive to positve (this is the parallel setup). One more switch to disconnect the postive to negative (this is the series setup).

Let's call swich A (negative to negative) and switch B (positive to positive) and switch C (positive to negative).

Turn A and B (C must be off) you now have a parallel setup to be charged off your alternator.

Now Turn off A and B and turn on C. Now you have a series connection.

If C is on, A and B have to be off or it will be the fourth of July in the trunk.

This system is way cheaper than a street charger (but nowhere close to being as clean).

you have to disconnect the parallel setup and connect the series setup to hit switches. Then you do the opposite to charge the batteries.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but the small test that I did it works.

Props to you Bouncin.

Later

TC

That's the jist of it. Basically, when I start the car, the set-up automatically goes parallel to alternator-charge the batteries. When I want to hit switches, I flip ONE switch which automatically disconnects the alternator and turns on the first solenoid to give me 24-volts at the switch box. Then as I hit switches, the other series-noids are automatically switched on/off as needed. When I'm done hittin' switches, I just flip that first switch off, and it automatically goes back into alternator charging.

The switch that is always ON for alternator charging is a SPDT switch (ON-OFF-ON). Whenever I'm sitting around at the house not doing shit, I usually switch it to the other ON position. When I do that it automatically switches from alternator-charge, to charger-charge. Then I just run the cord out of the trunk to an outlet to charge with the built-in charger.

Also, like I said before the reason I built this (over 7 years ago) is because I don't remember Streetchargers being around in the mid-90s. And I would suggest for anyone else to just get a Streetcharger. The reason I don't have one is because, so far, this still works perfectly.

And far as being as clean as a Streetcharger. Right now it actually IS clean because it's behind my speakerbox. Matter of fact all you can see in my trunk are two Alpines, two pumps, the tops of 4 accumulators, and a 17" KO gleaming up through plexiglas.

And thanks for the props. I try.



Last edited by BOUNCIN89MERC2LOW97LHS at Oct 10 2003, 05:32 PM