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Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:03 +0000
by mathew8235
Hey Qwerty,
I've mounted my BCDC between the main battery and the sidewall of the engine bay. I had to remove the main battery in order to get it in there plus drill two holes to mount the unit. I know it would be a hassle to change all your wiring around but it's just an idea for you. You can still see the charging status as you mount the unit facing up.
Later
2007Lux


I have just ordered my BCDC20 and was looking for a good place to mount it. Love to see a photo of yours mounted beside the main battery.

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Tue, 04 Jun 2013 1:10 +0000
by 2007Lux
I'll try and get a pic into the area but it's hard due to the main battery which I do not wish to remove. The important thing is you can view the lights on the unit to see what the charger is doing (boost, float, etc). As with all under bonnet items the use of space is critical as it gives you further options down the track. Without having temp sensors under there to really know the temperatures I just went with the theory that the furtherest away from the engine the better, however, that said the battery probably gets a little hot when being charged. I have seen a guy on here with his mounted on a homemade braket out in front of the radiator, behind the grill which would keep the unit nicely vented. Not sure what tray you bought and if you look at my install, either on this thread or the dual batts for dummies thread, you will see I added a continuous duty solenoid to an ARB tray in order to pair the batteries for a jump start if required. It was a bit of stuffing around but Redarc have great wiring diagrams online plus you can always ring them and speak direct to a technician as apposed to a sales rep if you were buying another brand. Oh yeh it's Australian designed and made unlike the Ctek which gets a lot of press on this site.

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Tue, 04 Jun 2013 1:14 +0000
by Qwerty
On the other hand. Redarc is temp sensing (it backs off when battery is too hot to avoid damage) so in some respects it's good for the redarc to cop the same heat as the battery it charging. Unless they have a temp sensing wire ?

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Tue, 04 Jun 2013 3:10 +0000
by 2007Lux
Qwerty wrote:On the other hand. Redarc is temp sensing (it backs off when battery is too hot to avoid damage) so in some respects it's good for the redarc to cop the same heat as the battery it charging. Unless they have a temp sensing wire ?

http://www.redarc.com.au/images/uploads ... Manual.pdf
The way I read it the unit senses ambient temp not battery temp and works optimally at 55 C

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Tue, 04 Jun 2013 3:17 +0000
by Qwerty
Ahhh you may well be right. Was just a thought ! :)

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Tue, 04 Jun 2013 3:38 +0000
by 2007Lux
Still be really interesting to know the operating temperature under the bonnet

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Tue, 04 Jun 2013 3:40 +0000
by 2007Lux
......at different locations.

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Tue, 04 Jun 2013 3:46 +0000
by Qwerty
Hot hot and fricking hot is what mine is where my battery is. The v6 runs bloody hot engine bay. Have had it remarked to me by a mech and auto sparky.

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Tue, 04 Jun 2013 7:10 +0000
by mathew8235
2007Lux wrote:I'll try and get a pic into the area but it's hard due to the main battery which I do not wish to remove. The important thing is you can view the lights on the unit to see what the charger is doing (boost, float, etc). As with all under bonnet items the use of space is critical as it gives you further options down the track. Without having temp sensors under there to really know the temperatures I just went with the theory that the furtherest away from the engine the better, however, that said the battery probably gets a little hot when being charged. I have seen a guy on here with his mounted on a homemade braket out in front of the radiator, behind the grill which would keep the unit nicely vented. Not sure what tray you bought and if you look at my install, either on this thread or the dual batts for dummies thread, you will see I added a continuous duty solenoid to an ARB tray in order to pair the batteries for a jump start if required. It was a bit of stuffing around but Redarc have great wiring diagrams online plus you can always ring them and speak direct to a technician as apposed to a sales rep if you were buying another brand. Oh yeh it's Australian designed and made unlike the Ctek which gets a lot of press on this site.


Just a view from the top if that's easy would be great, I did see that pic with it out the front of the radiator. I have mounted the battery in a tray that I made, I copied an ARB one but put in a couple of extra supports in.

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 9:20 +0000
by 2007Lux
Image
Looking down at my battery. You can just see the bcdc tucked down under the wiring loom

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 9:23 +0000
by 2007Lux
Image
My dual bat set up which shows I haven't got too much room under there now.

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 9:33 +0000
by Qwerty
2007Lux wrote:Image
My dual bat set up which shows I haven't got too much room under there now.


You didn't run over predator on your last country drive did you ?!

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:34 +0000
by butcha87
Qwerty wrote:
2007Lux wrote:Image
My dual bat set up which shows I haven't got too much room under there now.


You didn't run over predator on your last country drive did you ?!

Lol mines not much better

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 8:01 +0000
by 2007Lux
Qwerty wrote:
2007Lux wrote:Image
My dual bat set up which shows I haven't got too much room under there now.


You didn't run over predator on your last country drive did you ?!


If I knew how to put a smiley face icon with my phone I would. My under bonnet system has 'evolved' over the last two years. It's all labelled and I did it all so I feel confident fixing or altering it. Touch wood I've only had to do bush mechanics once on the system

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 8:56 +0000
by Qwerty
2007Lux wrote:
Qwerty wrote:
2007Lux wrote:Image
My dual bat set up which shows I haven't got too much room under there now.


You didn't run over predator on your last country drive did you ?!


If I knew how to put a smiley face icon with my phone I would. My under bonnet system has 'evolved' over the last two years. It's all labelled and I did it all so I feel confident fixing or altering it. Touch wood I've only had to do bush mechanics once on the system


:) just so you know I wasn't meaning to be mean at all (i dont think you took it that way anyway, but thought i better make sure...) ... mines not much better!

Just when i saw your wiring photo, i thought of this guy ;
Image

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 9:31 +0000
by 2007Lux
I only saw good natured humour qw.

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:55 +0000
by mathew8235
2007Lux wrote:Image
Looking down at my battery. You can just see the bcdc tucked down under the wiring loom


Wow, that is tight in there isnt it. Thanks heaps for posting the photos. The BCDC arrived in the mail yesterday, I was placing it under the bonnet last night and thought about making another battery tray to sit the main battery on with a side towards the window washer bottle to mount the charger on and a flange to mount the fuses on next to it, I bought AMI fuses with holders.

I can't understand why the cables are so short on the BCDC and that they dont supply some fuses, bit slack I think.

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:41 +0000
by 2007Lux
Most of those wires you see are for a light bar and a reversing light as I mounted my relays on the main battery bracket, so it does give the appearance of it being really tight. Qwerty put some heat shielding around his BCDC which I like the idea of but I'm reluctant to pull my main battery out as it is a hassle. My original battery is 6yrs (105,000km's) old so when I change it out I'll probably put some heat shielding in there. Makes sure you carry extra fuses.

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:05 +0000
by Qwerty
Front o engine bay where starter lives is much colder than rear. In mine anyway (v6) by quite an extreme amount. My starter is usually cool to touch , aux at back of bay is roasting.

Realistically I've put my bcdc in a stupid spot! Heat shielding may help a bit but wouldn't bother at front of engine bay ... Nice n cool there.

Re: Alternator

PostPosted: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 7:04 +0000
by DeadlyBeast
Trying to stay on track of thread title regarding alternator...
Qwerty is spot on
In hot climates mount the unit in front of radiator - on same side as battery
Mounting the BCDC in a non ventilated area of the engine bay will expose it to ambient temps over 55C and "de-rate output current" (BCDC output - not alternator output) according to redarc.

The below mounting position is well within redarc's recommended less-than-1m distance from the starting battery + it will get direct airflow thru the grille.
Image