Posted by Jim Anderson [162.158.74.252] on Monday, August 28, 2017 at 23:29:14 :
In Reply to: Re: Charging a battery posted by Ernie Baals [162.158.62.30] on Monday, August 28, 2017 at 09:44:55 :
It's not the alternators fault. Boaters charge batteries to 100% all the time off alternators. The problem is the regulator going to float voltage too early. It takes about 2 - 3 hours at absorption voltage to get a battery from 80-90% to 100%. The alternators I have checked (internal regulator) have dropped to float voltage almost immediately after absorption voltage is reached, so you only get to 80-90% unless you drive for hours and hours. Boaters use external regulators that can be manually set for bulk, absorption, and float voltages.
jim