Does the D3 have an ECU-controlled alternator?

[PeterOZ]

gents,
quick question. Does the D3 have an ECU controlled alternator? i.e a smart alternator?
ta
peter

[BradC]

A bit. yes although the algorithm doesn't seem to do much more than temperature compensation and even that isn't great.

Why do you ask?

[PeterOZ]

related to caravan battery and break away system that requires a trigger signal to trick smart alternators into charging the van batteries.

[shack]

related to caravan battery and break away system that requires a trigger signal to trick smart alternators into charging the van batteries.It would be pretty safe to treat it as a normal ol skool alternator.

[PeterOZ]

It would be pretty safe to treat it as a normal ol skool alternator.
What I am going to do. The feed via anderson plugs will be 50A CB fused with a VSR in series. Should be fine.

[PhilipA]

The smart alternator in my Everest will charge my 2 DC/DC chargers (at about 14.2V) as it detects the drain from them charging the batteries in the back of my car to run the fridge and the battery in my caravan.
When both batteries are full plus the starting battery it will revert to 12.7 unless on override down a hill as the DC/DC chargers will stop charging when the batteries are full.
I did 6000Km in Tassy and Victoria and never had a problem.
Regards PhilipA

[loanrangie]

The D3 alternator isn't smart but is variable voltage, normal VSR will work fine.

[RANDLOVER]

I wonder if the OP is concerned about the upper or lower limit of the Voltage Sensing Relay? IIRC I have seen mine as high as 14.5V (not sure if it can go higher) and don't think I've seen below 13.5V.

[PeterOZ]

I wonder if the OP is concerned about the upper or lower limit of the Voltage Sensing Relay? IIRC I have seen mine as high as 14.5V (not sure if it can go higher) and don't think I've seen below 13.5V.

from what I have read it is to detect when ignition is on or off, ign off it trips the relay open and vice versa.

[RANDLOVER]

from what I have read it is to detect when ignition is on or off, ign off it trips the relay open and vice versa.

Krecht, the ones I'm familiar with are usually used where there is no switched feed so either 0V or 12V, with a permanent feed it "sees" the resting battery voltage at say 12.5v as OFF, then when the car starts the alternator supplies say 13.5v, which it "sees" as ON.

[PeterOZ]

no expert on these things. the function is to keep caravan battery charged during driving for the break away brake system.

[BradC]

You'll be fine. I've never seen below mid 13's on mine either.