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Thread: Battery charging with alternator and solar simultaneously

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    Battery charging with alternator and solar simultaneously

    Hi all, sorry if this has been raised before, but I couldn’t find it

    I’ve got a 40lt Engel in the car with a 105ah deep cycle aux battery set up through a red arc isolator charging system. This allows the fridge to run for about 4 days. If I do a 3hr drive, this is enough to re-charge the aux for another 4 days of use.

    However, I don’t alway get the opportunity to get that 3hr drive in and the battery obviously drains

    My thinking is,
    - I hook a 110w solar panel through a regulator then straight to the aux battery via an in-line fuse.
    - this will be charging the battery while it’s parked at work
    - However, this will also be charging the battery at the same time the alternator charges while I’m driving

    My question is
    - Can this cause a problem if both charge at the same time

    Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated

    Cheers

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    I am he, fear me the evil twin's Avatar
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    You usually won't get both to charge all the time while driving.

    Depending on the the Solar reg settings it will 'see' the Alternator voltage of 13.8 or more and think the battery is fully charged so should spend most of the time in float not bulk charge.
    The Aux will usually accept most of its charge from the Alternator source, cable voltage drops etc aside.

    If all components are OK it won't cause any problems
    Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.

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    Patrol Freak Mc4by's Avatar
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    I have a 160w solar panel which I connect to the aux battery via an Anderson plug when I am camped. Keeps the fridge going forever.
    I have not run the solar while charging the aux from the alternator. I do one or the other.
    As I lay there looking up, taking in the spectacular view that was the night sky and the multitude of stars I asked myself, where did my tent go?

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    Expert Yeti's Beast's Avatar
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    As Evil said, the solar will stop working once the car starts


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    Thanks for the advice guys

    Just what I’d hoped for

    Cheers 🍻🍻

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    Bitumen Burner DX grunt's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by the evil twin View Post
    You usually won't get both to charge all the time while driving.

    Depending on the the Solar reg settings it will 'see' the Alternator voltage of 13.8 or more and think the battery is fully charged so should spend most of the time in float not bulk charge.
    The Aux will usually accept most of its charge from the Alternator source, cable voltage drops etc aside.

    If all components are OK it won't cause any problems
    @the evil twin

    You learn something every day.

    I leave my solar plugged in 24/7...… sort of set and forget system. PML.
    Winner of 'Best 4 x 4 ' at the 2017 Albany Agricultural Society Inc - Town n Country Ute Muster.

    Ex Telstra - 2005, 4.2 TDi ute -with pod and more fruit than a grocery shop.

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