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摘要

The increasing numbers of boats with substantial solar charging are starting to throw up a couple of problems that might worry the unaware. In both cases it relates to engine charging when the solar power has already almost fully charged the batteries - especially if the solar voltage is higher than the alternator's regulated voltage. The alternator's voltage regulator then detects the voltage at the batteries as indicating 'fully charged' and tries to shut down the alternator. One outcome is that the rev counter stops working; the other is that the charge warning lamp and buzzer operate (or pulse on and off). This is not a fau the automotive-based alternator is trying to work outside its design parameters. The solution? Try turning on some electrical loads until the problem disappears. A single LED lamp is unlikely to be enough, but a 21W filament bulb might be.