Planning for AC Loads
Running the Alternator While Operating AC and DC Loads
Recharging | Running the alternator does not guarantee that the battery is being fully |
| recharged by the alternator if you are running a combination of large AC |
| and DC loads. |
| The alternator must provide more power than the draw of the combined |
| DC and AC loads for your battery to fully recharge. |
Example | This example for a 12 volt battery shows what happens if the alternator is |
| overloaded. |
92 A
1100 W (DC)
IP1012 AL
Alternator | 12 Volt Battery |
(130 A) |
|
38 A
AC Loads (1000 W)
Owner Installed
Loads
Factory
Installed
DC Loads
Figure
The alternator is charging at 130 amps while the engine is running and there is a 1000 W (AC) load.
The efficiency of the inverter/charger is approximately 90%, which means it is drawing about 1100 W (DC) from the battery or 92 amps. This leaves 38 amps for all DC loads. If the DC loads require more than 38 amps, the battery will actually discharge even though the alternator is running.
