We recently replaced our older standard wet cell batteries with 430 ah of gel batteries. I have historically been very bad at maintaining standard batteries, so I look forward to getting a long life out of these with no worries. However I do unfortunately have one worry remaining.
At the same time I replaced the batteries, I also replaced the old "dumb" charger with a new "smart" charger. This of course has a setting for gel batteries so they get the proper voltage. My understanding is that they do not want to see more than 14.1 or 14.2 volts at most. So I've got the dock charger covered, but the alternator is now an issue. It seems to put out something just under 15 volts. I don't want to fry my new batteries, but I would also like to put off buying a new alternator for a bit. I don't think there are any adjustments available with the internal regulator. Am I wrong? Is there an otherwise simple solution to knock down the voltage?
At some point I will want to replace this alternator with a higher output model that will need an external regulator. Can I go ahead now and buy a regulator and run the "preregulated" output of my current alternator through it?
At the same time I replaced the batteries, I also replaced the old "dumb" charger with a new "smart" charger. This of course has a setting for gel batteries so they get the proper voltage. My understanding is that they do not want to see more than 14.1 or 14.2 volts at most. So I've got the dock charger covered, but the alternator is now an issue. It seems to put out something just under 15 volts. I don't want to fry my new batteries, but I would also like to put off buying a new alternator for a bit. I don't think there are any adjustments available with the internal regulator. Am I wrong? Is there an otherwise simple solution to knock down the voltage?
At some point I will want to replace this alternator with a higher output model that will need an external regulator. Can I go ahead now and buy a regulator and run the "preregulated" output of my current alternator through it?