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This will artificially extend your charging time... | Ask The Expert with NIGEL CALDER

16 August 2025 · 3 min · 7K views

What this video covers

Jan Attenstedt and Nigel Calder discuss the trade-offs of using a battery-to-battery (B2B) charger to connect lithium-ion house banks to an engine alternator.0:43 While a B2B charger effectively prevents alternator overheating by limiting current, it restricts the high-amperage charging potential of lithium-ion batteries, thereby increasing engine runtime.0:33 Calder notes that direct alternator-to-lithium charging requires an external voltage regulator equipped with a temperature sensor mounted to the alternator case.1:30 This sensor protects the alternator by automatically reducing output if temperatures exceed safe limits.1:20 Without such thermal management, the B2B charger serves as a necessary safeguard, though it prevents the system from utilising the full capacity of the lithium-ion bank.2:05 Proper integration requires viewing the battery as one component within a balanced energy storage system rather than an isolated upgrade.Watch

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