24 volt to 12 volt charger

[Lin]

I know that I will be told the the best way to go is a Vanner Equalizer, but until I can justify the bucks on that, I wanted to find a way to charge my 12's off the 24 alternator.  I came across a 24v/12v converter that has been "modified for use as a battery charger. The output is current limited at continuous duty rating and a diode has been installed in series with the output." I believe the output rating is 15 amps.  What is the verdict on this?

[Don4107]

15 amps is not going to charge much of a 12V bank very fast.  A 12V alternator running off one of the auxiliary pulleys would work much better and give some measure of redundancy.  Use the largest drive pulley and the smallest driven pulley available to get the most RPM at the alternator. 

Good luck
Don 4107

[Ncbob]

Lin, try the Search engine here on the Board. You'll probably find that the only two ways to do what you want is wither the Vanner or by strapping a 12V alternator on the pulley located on the right front side of your engine (as you're looking at it) and feeding your house bank.

BTDT

Bob

[Tenor]

Here's a great deal on a Vanner.  http://busnut.com/classifieds/index.php?a=5&b=16 (ftp://http://busnut.com/classifieds/index.php?a=5&b=16)  This is really the easiest way to go.

[Sojourner]

If you didn't want to spend for equalizer...go to automotive salvage yard and pickup a 70 or so amps regulator equips alternator with truck pulley or replace for a 3" pulley with BX belt width from Grainger.com on page 253 from catalog 2007 with matching bore id. You may have to machine an extended nut to fasten pulley onto alternator's shaft. You won't need to use double belts on double groove pulley. Or machine cutoff extra groove to shorten to allow standard alternator nut to tighten the new pulley. Unless you can find a BX single groove 3" dia, go for it.

That what I did using double groove.

Make sure the 12v alternator is equips with self-contain voltage regulator. Then it only one heavy gauge wire to 12v bank.
If not purchase a popular Ford regulator at your auto parts store. It will work on practically all size non equips regulator alternator.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

PS...I think  Jim Shepherd...our rv_safetyman is the one who retired from the belt company??? Whoever if I am wrong but can add to belt & pulley inputs.