NRALIFR wrote:
The DC-DC charger is a much more efficient and effective means of charging an auxiliary battery.
:):)
B2B charger is having about 90% efficiency, meaning you are loosing 10% for something most of us don't need.
People who use them -report high heat generated, what brings additional issues as you can't burry the charger in storage with no ventilation.
Now how the smart alternators work need to be experienced.
In my Sprinter conversion I have smart alternator who will run the van on battery power when accelerating and put very high charge when braking or coasting.
I hook up house batteries to main battery clamp with automatic relay.
When I drive- the house draws constant 20 amp to power refrigerator and sometimes more when I turn electric water heater on.
I observe vehicle voltage and after initial charging, it keeps the voltage at 13.0-13.5V.
Meaning the Mercedes smart charging does sense draw and is not switching the system to battery power when there is constant draw.
Bottom line - it is working perfectly without B2B charger.
The smart charging system is design to save fuel and environment, but on practical side it is killing batteries every 2-3 years.
There is no free lunch.
