How does the unit work?
Very simply, the voltage range from a smart alternator can be very wide compared to a standard one. For example, around 12V and sometimes exceeding 15V, clearly neither of these are suitable for charging a leisure battery.
What the DC-DC unit does it convert these voltages to a more stable and constant one to provide an efficient and reliable charge to your leisure battery.
In addition the battery charging is provided in three stages - Bulk, Absorption, & Float (Depending on battery technology).
When using Lithium, the unit also has a reactivation feature for batteries in a low state of charge.
Will it work in my van?
Not only will this work with smart alternators, it'll also work with standard ones too. It'll provide a more stable and reliable charge to your leisure battery (extending life & available capacity) over a traditional voltage sensitive relay. It'll also allow you to run lithium battery technology.
Such vans as the below will normally have a smart alternator fitted, but if you're not sure, or your van isn't listed, please just drop us a message and we should be able to confirm its technology.
- Late Volkswagen Transporter T5.1
- Volkswagen Transporter T6
- Volkswagen Transporter T6.1
- Ford Transit Custom
- Late Ford Transit
- Late Mercedes Sprinter
- Late Volkswagen Crafter
What battery technology does it support?
You can use this DC-DC unit to charge the following battery types, you just need to select the correct settings on the dip switches.
- Sealed lead acid
- Flooded lead acid
- AGM
- Gel
- Lithium
Technical specification
- Transformation - 12V > 12V
- Input battery voltage - 8V > 16VDC
- Charging current - 20A
- Lead acid charging voltage - 13.2V > 14.7V
- Lithium charging voltage - 12.6V > 14.6V
- Efficiency - 90%
