100 amp integrator w/ 115 amp alternator - The Hull Truth

RUNKELDC · 03-05-2007, 11:02 PM

I want to switch from a battery isolator to an integrator on my charging system. I have a 115 amp alternator but the integrator I'm looking at is rated at 100 amps continuous and 400 amps peak. Does my alternator put out 115 amps all the time or just on occasion? I don't want to burn up an new integrator.

kchace · 03-06-2007, 09:57 AM

The peak rating of the integrator would be for very short periods of time - like some number of seconds at most. If you have a 115 amp alternator, then it can (conceivably at least) put out 115 amps continuously. It would be rare for it to have to do that, but it could. You may be ok cause you're close, but if it were me, I'd try and find an integrator that could handle the full current continuously.

Ken

RUNKELDC · 03-06-2007, 10:50 AM

Thanks for the input Ken.

yottyboy · 03-06-2007, 10:56 AM

That 115 amps output is probably unobtainable. Maybe if you're at WOT on a 100 degree day. It's not likely that it'll ever even get near the 100 amp mark, so I'd go with the 100 amp rated device. It has a safety factor of 4x, so no worries.

kchace · 03-06-2007, 11:13 AM

I'm interested in this since I'll be setting up one of these systems this summer. I did some checking and the Yandina site has a great Q & A section.

Of note (and something I didn't consider in my answer above) is that the combiner only will be carrying the current to the *second* battery bank. So I think a 100A combiner on a 115 A alternator should be ok.

http://www.yandina.com/combInfo.htm#Q17

Ken