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This will artificially extend your charging time... | Ask The Expert with NIGEL CALDER
August 16, 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 utilizing 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.▶ 0:00
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