Smart altanators

[Rogerlathbury]

Hi all, keeping hearing on line about smart alternatives. Apparently the voltage varies from charging to not charging to overrun voltage and braking voltage.
Can someone please explain to me in layman's terms?

 

[addoaddo]

What you have written is exactly how they work. Basically they do not charge the battery all the time rather just put energy in to it when they can recover it "for free" under braking etc.

This is great for cars as it improves fuel consumption but not so good for a motorhome. It will manage the cab battery correctly but most will not charge the hab batteries very well. As the hab batttery tends to be discharged more and so they need more energy put in to them.

The solution to this is a B2B charger. In very simple terms it fools the smart alternator so that a large amount of energy is pumped in to the hab battery and you arrive at the next site with a full battery.

I have taken liberties with the description but effectively this is what they do without going in to to many technical terms.

 

[Rogerlathbury]

What you have written is exactly how they work. Basically they do not charge the battery all the time rather just put energy in to it when they can recover it "for free" under braking etc.

This is great for cars as it improves fuel consumption but not so good for a motorhome. It will manage the cab battery correctly but most will not charge the hab batteries very well. As the hab batttery tends to be discharged more and so they need more energy put in to them.

The solution to this is a B2B charger. In very simple terms it fools the smart alternator so that a large amount of energy is pumped in to the hab battery and you arrive at the next site with a full battery.

I have taken liberties with the description but effectively this is what they do without going in to to many technical terms.

Thanks Addoaddo

 

[Rogerlathbury]

Thanks Addoaddo

Thanks Addoaddo, now a little cleaner. From your comments the b2b system is better than a normal split charger from the alternator to the engine and hab batteries. I assume this is more intelligent and therefore mire efficient?. I assume it's some kind of electronic device wired to the vehicle battery and the hab battery?
Would you recommend a specific one and is it easy to fit?