Alternator and DC to DC Chargers

You are packing the van or the truck for a few days away, and the power station is nearly empty. The drive is the one time your vehicle is already making power, so it makes sense to use it. This page helps you decide whether alternator charging will refill your battery fast enough on travel days, and which kind of charger fits.

Alternator chargers for power stations

These units sit between your vehicle's battery system and a power station, and push a much higher current than a plain cigarette lighter socket can. The Charger 1 is described as delivering up to 560W, which the retailer says is six times faster than a traditional car charger, and fills a 1kWh power station in about 2.5 hours. That suits people who drive for several hours a day and want the battery topped up by the time they park. The usual car socket route is far slower, so if your drives are short, this is where the gain is biggest.

The Charger 2 is the newer name in the range. It is sold on its own, and also in a bundle with a 200W PV100FX solar panel. The bundle suits someone who wants driving power on the road and sun power at camp, from one purchase. Check the retailer's page for its exact input and output figures before you plan around it.

Cables and wiring for the Charger 2

A charger is only part of the setup. The Charger 2 has its own bidirectional power cables, with one listed for the AC240 and another for FridgePower. Pick the one that matches the unit you own, since they are sold by model. The D+ signal wire is a separate small part for the same charger. The wiring pack is listed as an alternator charger wiring pack, and it suits anyone who needs the connecting leads for a fitted setup rather than a loose one.

DC to DC chargers for house batteries

If your goal is to charge an RV or van house battery rather than a portable power station, the D40 DC-DC Battery Charger is aimed at that job. It is listed as 12V, 30A, with 400W maximum DC output. It works with LiFePO4, AGM, gel, lead-acid and calcium batteries, so it suits a mixed or older battery bank. The retailer also lists charging from the AC200L, solar panels or a starter battery. It is a good match for someone whose battery is fixed in the vehicle.

Charging enhancers for larger stations

The D050S DC Charging Enhancer is a different idea. It is listed for the B230, B300, EB150, EB240 and AC200 family, with 500W maximum input. The retailer says it opens up more ways to charge, such as solar, car and lead-acid battery charging. It also says it raises PV input to 1200W for some setups. It suits owners of those stations who want one box to handle several sources.

How to choose

• Start with your station or battery. Compatibility lists matter more than any headline wattage.
• Work out your drive time. A charger rated at 560W only helps if you drive long enough to use it.
• Match the charger to the battery type. The D40 lists several chemistries, so check yours is included.
• Count the extras. Cables, signal wires and wiring packs may be sold separately.
• Think about solar too. If camp days are long and drives are short, a bundle with a panel may serve you better.

Questions people ask

Is a car socket enough?

For small devices, yes. For refilling a larger power station, the retailer describes the Charger 1 as six times faster than a traditional car charger.

Can I charge while the engine is off?

Check the manual for your charger and vehicle. Alternator charging is meant for when the vehicle is running.

Do I need a DC to DC charger for a house battery?

A unit like the D40 is built for that job and lists support for several battery types. Follow its manual for installation.

Will one drive fill my battery?

It depends on battery size, charger output and drive time. Divide your battery's watt hours by the charger's output to get a rough number of hours.