The first part I knew from the previous threads, donīt think I was in the main one where they were discussed with the ad nauseum degree, but I did browse it. I just already had one to use. It mounts to the back of the back-seat better. ;)
The first part I knew from the previous threads, donīt think I was in the main one where they were discussed with the ad nauseum degree, but I did browse it. I just already had one to use. It mounts to the back of the back-seat better. ;)
Alas I have too many ad nauseums.
Many are beneficial, others are distractions from an OP POV. I think it was with doncarbone there was a lengthy distraction about battery isolators - for BOATS! (I have yet to see a reply with any hypothetical reason for using a "boat type" isolator in car...).
Then there are distractions that are nothing but misinformation. Many get sorted out, but I suspect others still think LEDs need resistors and PWMs need capacitor filtering.
It is rewarding to learn, or enlighten - especially when others have the patience, curiosity, and trust to persevere and finally get it - else correct the nee-enlightener. But it is easy to drift - personally...
Eventually most of it comes together. There is always more though....
Wot? Oh yeah...., alternator sizing. Then (a second?) battery. Hopefully a cheap "ultimate intelligence" isolator (aka SPST relay or FET).
And a voltmeter.
What do you mean by ultimate intelligence isolator (what is SPST and what is FET lol)?Quote:
Originally Posted by OldSpark
You'll have to excuse my limited understanding when it comes to electronics. I guess I didn't pay attention too much in physics class a few years ago when we briefly touched on simple circuitry and formulas lol ;)
Thanks for the help as always, OldSpark. You definitely know your stuff!
Ah - the UIBI... it should have been Patented...
To heck with school & physics - it's places like this you get the real stuff & innovation!
But that you didn't understand the UIBI in that Newbie's thread Having two batteries, one solely for start-up, the other deep cycle -- relay switch?... Oh, that's right, it got hijacked with irrelevance....
But as a perceptive person wrote on that thread:
And as yet nobody has been able to explain WHY any voltage sensing battery isolator is superior to the method OldFart describes. (Which underpins the main philosophy...)Quote:
Originally Posted by a CleverLeaner
Note for the inexperienced - a collapsed battery does NOT incur a lower charging voltage - hence why batteries boil and AGMs suffer thermal runaway.
IE - a (6-cell) 12V battery with one collapsed cell will still charge at (say) 14.4V, hence 2.88V/cell instead of the max 2.4V charging and 2.3V float voltage. Although that is very damaging, the battery is stuffed anyhow - the main issue is safety.
& BTW - "charge lights" are normally "not charging" indicators. When not charging, the alternator and sensor circuit outputs are GND or off etc. I mention that because someone said they had a "not charging indicator" - that's what a typical alternator L or D+ circuit is.
I figure if marketeers can call voltage switched isolators "smart" isolators, then I can call the L/D+ isolator "intelligent". After all, it has been designed with greater intelligence and been through far greater risk assessment & case study than the voltage isolators - or rather, the UIBIs suffer less problems than voltage sensors (ie, no delays required, no hysteresis or set-point issues) as well as being more reliable (circuit-wise, but also in general situations).
I might Register the UIBI name if the design originator decides to Patent it.....
And I think the originator ended up using a FET - hence a UIBI on ANY alternator or "charging sensor" with ~5V or higher output (when charging) costs about $3 for about 100A switching capacity.
SPST is "Single Pole, Single Throw" - aka basic on-off contacts (whether switch or relay etc).
A FET is Field Effect Transistor, a semiconductor like a transistor and akin to a relay - ie, less electricity turns on or controls more electricity.
eg - a relay has its small coil/solenoid current input which closes very heavy contacts for larger currents.
Transistors & FETs are similar - a small base/gate current or voltage enable a larger current flow through its/their other terminals (Collector/Emitter or Source/Drain).
FETs are good for switching because they just need stuff all power to control very high currents - eg, a Gate with 5V @ 1uA can turn on the Drain-Source with its 100A. (But such high power FETs are usually called MOSFETS (Metal Oxide Silicon FETs if I recall).)
I often recommend Wiki for answers to such questions. Look for the simple verbals and good pictures - avoid the maths and jargon....
And keep looking back from time to time - more begins to make sense...
But keep asking here or me if still unsure....