2016 Ford Transit Van w/ Victron Solar System
Along with
-MPPT 100-30
-Orion Isolated Converter
-BMS 12/200
-2x 12.8V -200aH Victron Batteries
2nd Alternator:
Ford 12v/200A
P#A2-0072-280XP
Regulator:
P#MC614H
Customer would like the auxiliary alternator that we added to the vehicle to charge the Victron Battery bank so it will be isolated from the starting batteries all together. What is needed to make this happen / how should it be wired?
Then auxiliary alternator also needs its own battery, or should be on the starter battery. This as its required to regulate itself even when the lithium set doesnt take power.
When on the starter battery its easy, then nothing is needed as the BMS will take care. When its on its own buffer battery a Cyrix-li-charge can be used. In order to have this controlled a Ve Bus BMS must be added which will get into the loop of the battery communication cable.
I could be wrong here, but I've been researching the Balmar regulators for a future project I'm considering. From what I can determine, a buffer battery & charge relay should not normally be required with the Balmar MC regulators controlling an aux alternator (assuming no internal regulator connected, only the external MC). It should be possible to simply switch off the field current by switching the Balmar MC's "ignition" wire with a relay controlled by the Lithium BMS, dropping the charge current to basically zero (possibly give or take an insignificant amount from residual magnetism).
The most recent MC regulators have a mode for LFP batteries (giving appropriate bulk/abs/float), or you can set the individual levels.
Obviously this is something that needs to be fully tested & verified on each unique alternator configuration. It is not suitable for any BMS which directly disconnects the charge circuit, unless the alternator has protection for that.
