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#11 ckent323

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Posted 28 May 2022 - 12:52 AM

Measure the output from your alternator with a volt meter. 

I found this recommended diagnosis check :

If your readings are around 14.4V DC then you most likely have the traditional, non-smart alternator. If your reading is closer to 12.5-13.5V then it's likely that you have a smart alternator.


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#12 Vic Harder

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Posted 28 May 2022 - 04:26 AM

I have a 2015 Silverado, and the voltage varies. I’m pretty sure it is a “smart” alternator. The one in my 2006 put out 14.4 pretty constantly. This one drops to to 13.2 or so once the battery is charged.
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#13 Old Crow

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Posted 29 May 2022 - 12:22 PM

Re: Does a 2017 Silverado have a smart alternator?

 

There's some interesting reading in this thread....

 

Alternator output of 12.75V too low? (in SilveradoSierra forum)

 

Post 2 answers the 2017 Silverado 1500 owner's question and provides excerpts from the manual.  Those excerpts don't use the term 'smart alternator' but the functions described are what's meant by that term.  GM uses the terms 'Electric Power Management' and 'Regulated Voltage Control'.  If those same concepts are in your manual, you have a smart alternator.

 

Post 4 asks an important question: Does this apply to HD models?

 

Post 8 answers that and tells us details are in the GM Upfitters Manual (and provides excerpts)

 

The excerpt goes into detail on charging modes, duty cycles, output voltages, etc and also includes this interesting info:

-------------

Tow/Haul Mode (if applicable)
Pressing the Tow/Haul Mode button located on the center stack, the vehicle system voltage is raised and the remote (non-vehicle) battery will be charged. Having the headlamps on will raise the system voltage and if the Tow/Haul button is applied it will not serve any purpose.
The voltage is regulated between 13.9-14.5 V.

------------

 

And post 12 helps us understand truck classifications (if we want to go into the Upfitters Manual) and provides a link to the 2016 version.

.


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#14 Vic Harder

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Posted 29 May 2022 - 04:56 PM

Old Crow, that is a super informative post, thanks!


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#15 Cpt Davenport

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Posted 29 May 2022 - 07:22 PM

Re: Does a 2017 Silverado have a smart alternator?

 

There's some interesting reading in this thread....

 

Alternator output of 12.75V too low? (in SilveradoSierra forum)

 

Post 2 answers the 2017 Silverado 1500 owner's question and provides excerpts from the manual.  Those excerpts don't use the term 'smart alternator' but the functions described are what's meant by that term.  GM uses the terms 'Electric Power Management' and 'Regulated Voltage Control'.  If those same concepts are in your manual, you have a smart alternator.

 

Post 4 asks an important question: Does this apply to HD models?

 

Post 8 answers that and tells us details are in the GM Upfitters Manual (and provides excerpts)

 

The excerpt goes into detail on charging modes, duty cycles, output voltages, etc and also includes this interesting info:

-------------

Tow/Haul Mode (if applicable)
Pressing the Tow/Haul Mode button located on the center stack, the vehicle system voltage is raised and the remote (non-vehicle) battery will be charged. Having the headlamps on will raise the system voltage and if the Tow/Haul button is applied it will not serve any purpose.
The voltage is regulated between 13.9-14.5 V.

------------

 

And post 12 helps us understand truck classifications (if we want to go into the Upfitters Manual) and provides a link to the 2016 version.

.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!


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#16 Cpt Davenport

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Posted 30 May 2022 - 05:13 PM

Voltage test

 

Resting 12.38

Running 14.95

Tow/Haul 15.07

 

Based on some of the numbers you guys are giving, I have a traditional, dumb alternator?

 

I did find the GM RPO code of KG4. This tells me my alternator is 150amp, but thats it.


Edited by Cpt Davenport, 30 May 2022 - 05:57 PM.

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#17 Old Crow

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Posted 30 May 2022 - 08:33 PM

You may have noticed by now that those voltages change. Basically, you want to know how low the 'running' one goes under multiple conditions, i.e., at different temperatures and battery charge states.

 

It's tough to get an idea of what the charging and starting system is doing in multiple conditions with a multimeter.

 

I use a digital voltage display plugged in to the cigarette lighter to watch what happens over time and to learn more about how it works.

 

I use an Innova 3721 for this but some may prefer a smaller form factor.  I did try a USB charger with digital display but found that one (an Ainope) was reading two-to-three tenths low.

 

Personally, I think there's no doubt you have a smart alternator given what we've seen on the topic.  But I'd also be interested in what you see with additional voltage observations.


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#18 ckent323

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Posted 30 May 2022 - 10:32 PM

Cpt Davenport,

 

After doing some searching on "when did GM start using variable control alternators" I found the following comment in GM truck forums several places.  However, I don't know for sure if this is correct.

Starting with the 2005 model year, light duty full size pickups and utilities are equipped with a new Regulated Voltage Control (RVC) system

Given your truck is a 2017 I think it is fair to assume that it has a variable control (aka smart) alternator.


See this link and the section under "GM":

https://gearsmagazin...arging-systems/

 

I hope this is helpful

 

Regards,

Craig


Edited by ckent323, 30 May 2022 - 10:36 PM.

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#19 Cpt Davenport

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Posted 31 May 2022 - 03:52 PM

I would tend to agree that based on this information and the year of my truck, that the alternator is modern and "smart".

 

Regardless of the alternators intelligence, the 12/12-30 DC/DC charger is what in need if I wish to charge lithium from my battery right?

 

My plan is to disconnect the alternator from the battery. Put in my lithium and see how it preforms with solar only charging. When I get the time, and pull the camper off the truck I can upgrade the wire size, instal the Victron unit, and reconnect the alternator.


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#20 ckent323

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Posted 31 May 2022 - 08:23 PM

Variable or Regulated Voltage Control Alternator - DC to DC charger 4 ga minimum wire to house battery which I assume is Lithium Ion

 

Older non-smart alternator ML-ACR with 80 or 100 A resettable fuses at output and at house battery input (to protect the wiring which should be 6 ga minimum and better 4 ga).  

If no Solar System with Solar Charge controller then it may be appropriate to put a charge controller on the lithium ion battery input.  Depends on if you connect through an IOTA DLS 30 with IQ-4 (or equivalent) or direct to the house battery from the MA-ACR.
 

In both cases your starting battery should be a lead acid battery - probably AGM.  I am not aware of any Lithium Ion Batteries that are rated as starting batteries.  Recommend using 80 A or 100 A resettable fuses/breakers at output to house battery and at house battery input (to protect the wiring)


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