Charging System: Description and Operation
Charging System
SPLIT CHARGING SYSTEM - 2005 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES
Description
The primary function of the Split Charge system is to protect the vehicle battery from becoming discharged to the degree that it is incapable of starting the engine, due to prolonged use of "add on" electrical equipment, particularly when the loads are being used in the engine off condition.
As the reserve capacity of the auxiliary battery is 100 minutes, it has to be borne in mind that the auxiliary battery can only be expected to support a maximum load of 25 Amperes for 100 minutes before the battery has reached an unusable terminal Voltage of 10.5 (when being used in the engine off condition).
During normal vehicle operation and depending on the state of charge of the primary battery and the loading of the base vehicle electrical circuits, any remaining available current output from the alternator will charge the auxiliary battery.
The Auxiliary battery and associated split charge components are located in the rear right hand side of the vehicle behind the interior trim.
Operation
The Auxiliary battery is connected in parallel to the primary battery under certain conditions, namely:
^ The vehicle Ignition is on
^ The vehicle electrical system is above 13V ± 0.2V. A 25mm2 cable is connected from the primary battery to a DC contactor. The other terminal of the contactor is connected to the auxiliary battery with a 25mm2 cable via a 125 Amp Mega fuse.
The contactor-operating coil is controlled by a Voltage sensitive switch and relay. In the event that the vehicle electrical and charging system is above 13V ± 0.2V, the contactor coil is provided with a path to ground, closing the contacts and effectively connecting the primary and auxiliary batteries in parallel.
The auxiliary battery will then receive charging current from the vehicle providing the vehicle is in a condition of electrical load balance. In the event that the vehicle electrical and charging system falls below 13V ± 0.2V (hysteresis 0.8V ± 0.2V), the contactor coil has its path to ground removed and the contacts open. In this condition, any "add on" electrical loads connected to the split charge system can only discharge the auxiliary battery and not the primary battery.
SPLIT CHARGING SYSTEM - 2006 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES
Description
The primary function of the Split Charge system is to protect the vehicle battery from becoming discharged to the degree that it is incapable of starting the engine, due to prolonged use of "add on" electrical equipment, particularly when the loads are being used in the engine off condition.
As the reserve capacity of the auxiliary battery is 135 minutes, it has to be borne in mind that the auxiliary battery can only be expected to support a maximum load of 25 Amperes for 135 minutes before the battery has reached an unusable terminal Voltage of 10.5 (when being used in the engine off condition).
During normal vehicle operation and depending on the state of charge of the primary battery and the loading of the base vehicle electrical circuits, any remaining available current output from the alternator will charge the auxiliary battery.
The auxiliary battery and auxiliary fuse box are located in the rear right hand side of the vehicle behind the interior trim. The Voltage sensitive relay is mounted in the engine compartment.
Operation
The Auxiliary battery is connected in parallel to the primary battery under certain conditions, namely:
^ The vehicle ignition is on.
^ The vehicle electrical system is above 13.7V.
A 25mm2 cable is connected from the jump-start post to the voltage sensitive relay. The other terminal of the VSR is connected to the auxiliary battery with a 25mm2 cable via a 125 Amp Mega fuse. An auxiliary 6-way ATO type fuse box is connected to the auxiliary battery via a 125-amp fuse and 25mm2 cable.
In the event that the vehicle electrical and charging system is above 13.7V, the VSR contacts are closed and connect the primary and auxiliary batteries in parallel.
The auxiliary battery will then receive charging current from the vehicle providing the vehicle is in a condition of electrical load balance. In the event that the vehicle electrical and charging system falls below 12.8V the VSR contacts open. In this condition, any "add on" electrical loads connected to the split charge system can only discharge the auxiliary battery and not the primary battery.
It is recommended that any additional electrical equipment fitted by the end user is only connected to the spare terminals of the auxiliary fuse box with an appropriately rated fuse. A maximum of 30 amps per circuit and a total of 100 amps for the fuse box must not be exceeded.