| Combiner/Buzz/Inteli-Power [message #154246] |
Sat, 24 December 2011 07:22  |
MikeT
Messages: 225
Registered: November 2009
Location: Marine City, Michigan
Karma: 0
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I have some questions on charging the batteries. I've installed a combiner, Yardina 100 and currently have the Buzz box. I understand the alternator charges the engine battery and now the alternator will also charge the house battery with the engine running.
My question is: When both the engine and the generator are running what charges what?
I'm also in the process of installing the Inteli-Power 9260 smart charger. Do I need to keep that circuit breaker off when the generator and engine are both running since the alternator is already providing the charge to both batteries or does one over ride the other charging source?
I don't think the battery can accept two charging sources at the same time.
Thanks
Mike Thomas
Marine City, MI
77 ex Palm Beach
[Updated on: Sat, 24 December 2011 07:24] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Combiner/Buzz/Inteli-Power [message #154250 is a reply to message #154246] |
Sat, 24 December 2011 07:45  |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Thomas,
Just a little correction to your first statement: The isolator always
allowed the alternator to charge both the chassis and house batteries, but
the converter could only charge the house battery. The combiner added the
capability for either the alternator or the converter to charge both
batteries.
Don't worry about separating the batteries; the combiner will take care of
that for you. The alternator and the converter can, indeed, both supply
both batteries at the same time. They're both output voltage controlled
devices so they'll regulate themselves as they individually see fit.
Ken H.
On Sat, Dec 24, 2011 at 8:22 AM, Thomas Mike <mthomas@wideopenwest.com>wrote:
>
>
> I have some questions on charging the batteries. I've installed a
> combiner, Yardina 100 and currently have the Buzz box. I understand the
> alternator charges the engine battery and will now the alternator will also
> charge the house battery with the engine running.
>
> My question is: When both the engine and the generator are running what
> charges what? I am in the process of installing the Inteli-Power 9260 smart
> charger. Do I need to keep that circuit breaker off when the generator and
> engine are both running since the alternator is already providing the
> charge to both batteries or does one over ride the other charging source?
>
> I don't think the battery can accept two charging sources at the same time.
>
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: Combiner/Buzz/Inteli-Power [message #154252 is a reply to message #154246] |
Sat, 24 December 2011 07:54 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| MikeT wrote on Sat, 24 December 2011 05:22 |
... I've installed a combiner, Yardina 100 and currently have the Buzz box. ...
....
I don't think the battery can accept two charging sources at the same time.
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Mike,
You are over thinking it.
A battery will take a charge from how many sources are provided.
A combiner will not combine until the battery on the same side as the charging source has reached a "close to full charge" voltage. Then it will combine and provide 'extra' electrons to the other battery even if it already has something charging it.
BUT...
There are problems with combining batteries of different constructions. (wet cel, gel, glas-mat ect. and is out of the scope of this thread.)
AND...
SOME charging SOURCES have problems with other charging sources charging the same battery. These are mostly "smart" chargers or the like. They normally sense the charging voltage (of the other source) as a "charged" battery and just stop charging. This problem has come up on system that use the house battery to start the generator, when putting a modern "smart" charger or converter on the house system but leaving the internal 12v alternator on generator connected. The small alternator "confuses" the "smart" charger.
Bottom line:
I wouldn't worry about having a single charging source on the battery on each side of a combiner.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: Combiner/Buzz/Inteli-Power [message #154253 is a reply to message #154246] |
Sat, 24 December 2011 07:55 |
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RF_Burns
Messages: 2277
Registered: June 2008
Location: S. Ontario, Canada
Karma: 3
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Mike,
The original alternator wiring used an Isolator to provide charging to both the engine and house batteries. If you wired the Combiner across the Isolator you will gain charging to the engine battery from the house power supply/charger.
Your generator doesn't directly charge the house battery, rather it supplies 120v to your house power supply/charger (converter, buzzbox etc) which charges the house battery (and through your Combiner to the engine battery)
As far as charging from 2 sources, current will always flow from the a higher voltage to a lower voltage (think of water under pressure in a hose, voltage = pressure, current = water flow in gallons per minute) The diodes in the Isolator and alternator will prevent current from flowing into the alternator.
The house power supply/charger also has circuitry to prevent current flow from the battery back into its circuitry.
The short answer is you should not have to worry about the two charging circuits. Electrons are smart little guys and they know which way they should be going.
Earlier coaches had a separate starting battery and charging system for the generator, but that does not apply to you.
Of course PO modifications can nullify all answers
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
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| Re: [GMCnet] Combiner/Buzz/Inteli-Power [message #154262 is a reply to message #154261] |
Sat, 24 December 2011 10:45 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| Mr ERFisher wrote on Sat, 24 December 2011 08:11 |
>
> Don't pitch the buzzbox..
> They are a pretty good high current 12V power supply (and great for
> destroying batteries) and have other uses.
> If you don't ant to keep it, I will come and get it.
>
>
that's a deal, you can have mine
livermore, ca ;>)
gene
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I also have one... or two... possibly three. (I would have to look.) If someone wants it (them?) and will pick it up.
In Hillsboro Oregon, a bit far for Matt.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: Combiner/Buzz/Inteli-Power [message #154288 is a reply to message #154259] |
Sat, 24 December 2011 17:09 |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
Karma: 0
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| Matt Colie wrote on Sat, 24 December 2011 07:10 |
Mike,
The ONLY thing I want to add to all the good answers you got is..
Don't pitch the buzzbox..
They are a pretty good high current 12V power supply (and great for destroying batteries) and have other uses.
If you don't ant to keep it, I will come and get it.
Matt
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Matt, come to Idaho and you can have my 3
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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