Lewco Alternator Bypass Control

[Wojo]

Hi All,
I am totally brain dead when it comes to electrical stuff and I have a Lewco Alternator Bypass Control. Every one gets excited that I have one but what the hell does it do...lol??????

I believe it charges the batteries quicker or something like that

[roverhi]

It allows you to adjust the amperage that your alternator puts out. Most alternator regulators taper off the output fairly quickly so you don't get optimal charge rate after the first few minutes. With the Lewco controller you can keep the alternator voltage at the optimum for putting in the most amps to your batteries. IIRC it's 14.2 volts maximum sustained voltage to optimally charge a lead acid battery. The only problem is you have to keep dialing back the amperage as the batteries charge or the voltage will increase. If it goes too long, you could ruin the battery(ies) or even explode them. The Lewco controller is great for cutting down engine run time to charge the batteries. That's really important for those who use the engine alternator to charge the batteries When we were out, about 80% of our engine hours were for battery charging. The ability to adjust the amperage from the alternator really cut down on the engine run time. The newer after market, expensive multi stage regulators kind of do this for you now if you have one installed.

Aloha
Peter O.
Pearson 35

[GordMay]

See page 59 of Charlie Wing’s “Boatowner's Illustrated Electrical Handbook“

Boatowner's Illustrated Electrical ... - Google Book Search

[Wojo]

Thanks guys.....that's what makes this a great forum.

Cheers


Wojo

[Wojo]

OK,
A bit of background. I have a USA built boat with all 12v appliances on board and the boat is in Australia (240V). I run a TrueCharge 40+ (110v)battery charger.

The questions is this. Do I buy a step down transformer for around AUD$300 and connect my shorepower to that and then on to the battery charger or do I replace a perfectly good TrueCharge 40+ charger valued, in Australia at around AUD$800, with a 240v battery charger for around AUD$500 at 20amps output instead of 40 amps

ahhhhhh


Cheers

George