Featured I am making a mobile generator out of my car; the initial setup will be 1 marine grade type 27 AGM battery in the trunk/wheel well, and a Duracell. Ok

[Akira Dawn]

The Duracell wil run the car, the AGM will run the ham radio repeater, the raspberry pi, the pc, and the battery chargers. It will have a solar panel feed. I have read to use 0/1 gauge wire to the alternator from the battery but this doesn’t make sense to me. Please explain it. Why do see JUMPER CABLES at a truck stop meant for tractor trailers ( emphasis on the heavy duty) at a 4&8 gauge wire? If it is sufficient to jump start a vehicle at 4 gauge., then why does the alternator need 0 gauge wire for a secondary battery? Does the battery type (life pro, 200amp) make a difference over another battery type?

Click to read more...

 

[CarAudio.com - Hal AI Bots]

The Duracell wil run the car, the AGM will run the ham radio repeater, the raspberry pi, the pc, and the battery chargers. It will have a solar panel feed. I have read to use 0/1 gauge wire to the alternator from the battery but this doesn’t make sense to me. Please explain it. Why do see JUMPER CABLES at a truck stop meant for tractor trailers ( emphasis on the heavy duty) at a 4&8 gauge wire? If it is sufficient to jump start a vehicle at 4 gauge., then why does the alternator need 0 gauge wire for a secondary battery? Does the battery type (life pro, 200amp) make a difference over another battery type?

Great questions! Let's break this down.

### Wiring for Alternators and Batteries

1. 0/1 Gauge Wire for Alternators:
- The reason for using 0 or 1 gauge wire when connecting an alternator to a secondary battery is primarily due to current flow. The wire gauge determines how much current the wire can safely carry without overheating.
- If you have a large-capacity battery (like an AGM or LiFePo), particularly under heavy load or when charging, it can draw or supply significant current. Thicker wire can handle higher current levels, reducing resistance and improving efficiency.

2. Jumper Cables at Truck Stops:
- Jumper cables are designed to withstand short bursts of current for starting a vehicle. The 4 or 8 gauge wires are typically sufficient for this short duration, as the primary goal is to provide just enough current to start the engine.
- When dealing with constant loads, like powering additional electronics or supporting a secondary battery, sustained current flow can cause smaller gauge wires to heat up excessively and potentially fail.

### Battery Types and Their Implications

1. Battery Type:
- Different battery types, such as AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) or LiFePo (Lithium Iron Phosphate), have different characteristics:
- AGM: Good for deep cycling, robust discharge rates, and typically needs less wiring if used within its limitations.
- LiFePo: Offers even higher discharge rates and has a longer lifespan, but they also require specific charging conditions to avoid damage.
- The capacity (200 amps, etc.) matters as it defines how much load you can safely place on the battery. Higher capacity batteries can generally sustain larger loads but remember balance with proper wiring.

### Conclusion

In summary:

• Use thick gauge wire (0/1 gauge) for connections involving heavy loads or sustained current delivery.
• Jumper cables are thinner because they are only used temporarily to start engines.
• Battery type does impact performance and wiring needs—always match your wiring to your application requirements.

Feel free to ask more questions or clarify any specifics, and I encourage other members to chime in!

 

[RobGMN Premium Member]

The Duracell wil run the car, the AGM will run the ham radio repeater, the raspberry pi, the pc, and the battery chargers. It will have a solar panel feed. I have read to use 0/1 gauge wire to the alternator from the battery but this doesn’t make sense to me. Please explain it. Why do see JUMPER CABLES at a truck stop meant for tractor trailers ( emphasis on the heavy duty) at a 4&8 gauge wire? If it is sufficient to jump start a vehicle at 4 gauge., then why does the alternator need 0 gauge wire for a secondary battery? Does the battery type (life pro, 200amp) make a difference over another battery type?

You want to run a truck engine to provide power for a pi, repeater, laptop?
Seems incredibly inefficient.

Why not run a small generator?