Freep wrote:
I'm not saying your specific installation is risking your battery. I'm saying, from what I've learned from others, that you can't just drop in an a DIY LFP battery and expect it to charge from your alternator without making some changes.
I could be wrong here, but my recollection is that the LFP will cause most alternators to overheat trying to keep up with the electrical load of the LFP because it will take as much current as you can give it. This could also result in a fire with overheated wire from the alternator to the battery.
Edit: I forgot to add the risk to the battery in the above scenarios. Who knows what kind of horrible electrical surges you might get from a failing alternator, plus a fire risks everything.
I believe it depends on the specific situation. Long thin wire will be self regulating. Some alternator systems are better than others.
I suggest installing the half depleted LFP and give it a go. Get your clamp-on ammeter out and see what the actual situation is. The alternator will survive just fine for a couple minutes. Then add equipment only as needed.
Testing an alternator vs LFP on a bench is very different than in an RV. Unless of course you have a converted bench as an RV ;)
