Alternative alternator
 

Not really being much of a mechanic, I've got an idea on my mind I'd like to throw at all of you (bush)mechanics. I have no idea whether it's a cunning plan or a recipe for disaster.

As we're planning for an African overland trip, one of the issues we need to tackle is the way in which we want to charge the extra battery/ies. Solar power is one possible solution if not expensive, getting some sort of (soleniod) switch setup is another but I have been wondering about installing another alternator. The vehicle is an HJ61 TLC. Hence, there is room under the bonnet for 2 extra batteries and I am inclined to think that the extra alternator could be attached to the unused hold for the airco compressor. The advantages seem numerous. No risk whatsoever of discharging the normal batteries, a spare electrical power source readily at hand and best of all: it needn't cost much more than a spare alternator which I would take along anyway.

I look forward to your thoughts on this idea.

Camiel

Hello (again) Camiel,

I have installed 2 additional battaries in my TLC HJ61 including a "charge current splitter" (laadstroom verdeler). Also the alternator has been overhauled completely.

After the complete installation I measured the voltage over both pairs of battaries. The voltage was in the range of 26 to 27 VDC simultanously. In my view this means that each set of battaries is charged at the same time (meaning that the capacity of the alternator is big enough to load all four at the same time).

Over time the capacity might degrade due to fouling, etc. That would be the right moment to connect the voltage-drop correction on the charge-splitter (which will trick your alternator to give higher voltage).

Good luck, if you stay in touch on my private email I will inform you about our experiences (which will start within 10 days from now!).

Bye, Jan.

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Be sure to add a 24->12V converter to your shopping list as well for those normal consumers like radio's, fan's, GPS, etc.

According to information I received from three different angles, you can destroy your battaries when you consume 12V from one single battary (which is part of a 24V system).

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Hi, I read somewhere on the net of some overlanders (in a Mog I think) who simply added a 12V alternator to charge the caravan battery totally independently instead of messing around with a split charge system and voltage reducers. If you use the same model of alt you enter into the original Rolls Royce philosophy of having two of everything, not silly. But bear in mind that they will both be subjected to the same dust, water and other under bonnet wear and tear so if for instance the bearings of one go, the next will soon follow. I bought a fully equipped overlander vehicle second hand two years ago and the spanking new alternator that had sat in one of its cubbyholes for nine years came in very Very handy recently (pity the original owner hadn’t hidden away a spare starter motor though) I have no qualms about carrying that extra weight.
G’luck
Luke

I`ve got to agree, I`d rather use 1 high amp altenator, with a split charge set up and carry a spare, wiring in the split charge relay has to be a lot easier than mounting a secong alt, saves the extra load on the engine as well, every BHP counts especially if using something like a 2.5 deisel, as in the earlier 110s.

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