Technical Ducato 2024 alternator charging?/alternative high output alternator upgrade?

[Hmmmmm]

Hiya people, how you all doing?
Many questions regarding alternator charging for a fiat campervan...

I got a new 2024 Fiat Ducato campervan equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission
Engine: 2.2L Multijet 3 Euro 6d diesel
Power Output: 140 HP
Transmission: 9-speed automatic gearbox,

Now, im looking to use an alternator charger from Ecoflow preferably( https://uk.ecoflow.com/products/800...vusgY2A3hNBvSLinloP526xsSCslYEj8aArpSEALw_wcB )

Now, few questions:

1.A If im using this setup, what is the maximum amp draw setup i should use?(its possible to setup the amps drawing with this alternator charger)

1.B. i want to be able to charge it while idling with my ducato, is it possible at all?,
or should I always drive while charging it? Should I make different amp draw setting when idling and for when im driving?

2. A. What is this car model alternator specs?

2.B. Are there any alternator upgrades option from fiat i could just go to any fiat garage and upgrade it easily?

2.C. What about other alternator upgrades manufacturers for this car? Any maker of alternator specific for campervans?

2.D. Is it better to have second alternator just for the rv charging?(if i tend to use it while idling) could you direct me to anyone who create these alternatives?(where to purchase, where to install in spain in general, and Cantbria if there is such an option)

Thanks people.

A.C.

 

[the green vanper]

Hello,

Idling for longer periods of time is not good for the engine. Especially newer diesels. Then, people around you will hate you for the stinky and poisonous exhaust gases. Why even someone has this idea? Running a diesel engine for nothing in the nature?

Use solar or wind energy instead. Will also be cheaper.

In the x250 there were 2 alternators available, I assume depending on the battery capacity.

I'm planning to have a separator in my setup, it will start by charging the starter battery (100 Ah) and then, once done, switch to the leisure batteries (2x200 Ah). I'm also having 1,44 kWp on the roof to power everything up. Still thinking how to use wind, too.

 

[Hmmmmm]

Hello,

Idling for longer periods of time is not good for the engine. Especially newer diesels. Then, people around you will hate you for the stinky and poisonous exhaust gases. Why even someone has this idea? Running a diesel engine for nothing in the nature?

Use solar or wind energy instead. Will also be cheaper.

Hi!
Thanks for answering,

My campervan have 180w solar only,and the people that installed it told me its impossible to install more...which i have no idea why, it make no sense me and actually made me a bit angry.

and im planning on installing 3000kwh powerstation, so charging with the alternator is my only reasonable option, using the engine instead of generator, so... its less noisy from most generstors, and when im driving - it make sense, ill only use in when idling on a non camping sites,(on camping sites ill use the electricity to charge it)

In the x250 there were 2 alternators available, I assume depending on the battery capacity.

X250? is that the name of the ducato engine?

Is it possible to upgrade it if i have the lower alternator? Is it fiats original alternator u talking about? do u know whats the amperage ratings of these alternators?

I'm planning to have a separator in my setup, it will start by charging the starter battery (100 Ah) and then, once done, switch to the leisure batteries (2x200 Ah). I'm also having 1,44 kWp on the roof to power everything up. Still thinking how to use wind, too.

 

[the green vanper]

Hi!
Thanks for answering,

My campervan have 180w solar only,and the people that installed it told me its impossible to install more...which i have no idea why, it make no sense me and actually made me a bit angry.

and im planning on installing 3000kwh powerstation, so charging with the alternator is my only reasonable option, the diesel is less posioness from regular gasoline (thats what i heard) and its using the engine instead of generator, so... its less noisy from most generstors, and when im driving - it make sense, ill only use in when idling on a non camping sites,(on camping sites ill use the electricity to charge it)

X250? is that the name of the ducato engine?

Is it possible to upgrade it if i have the lower alternator? Is it fiats original alternator u talking about? do u know whats the amperage ratings of these alternators?

x250 is the FIAT's codename for 2006 - 2014 Ducato. Basically it's the same model as the one which is sold now (x290), but it had several faceliftings and modifications during all those years, including the engines (so potentially also alternators, and I think it is the case, as the newer models alternators seem to be 'smart' alternators).

For the factory alternator, I've just checked online what the factory offers now - there are still two options available. The 180 A version is standard on the commercial van body (

), the 220 A version is standard on the other body type (

or

, sorry, I don't know the proper English term). Both body types can be used for conversions. You should ask your dealer / converter or check in the documentation, because even if FIAT installed one of them, it could have been changed later during the conversion. There's always a small chance that the converter installed a third party alternator, but I doubt it. FYI, in the x250 one of the alternators had 150 A, can't remember the current of the other one.

180 Wp solar is not much. It's one small panel. No idea what you have on the roof, but I think you should consider upgrading the solar panels in the beginning. I have the advantage that I'm making the project from scratch so maximum solar power was the second highest priority for me. I will be using almost all the roof surface in my project:

The wider empty stripe on the left (which is the back of the van) is for the only one roof window (it will be installed in the middle of the stripe) + probably some antennaes and possibly other accessories. The three rectangles are the solar panels (1900 x 1140 mm with 480 Wp each). Another advantage of such roof coverage by the panels is that I almost won't have any direct sun on the roof. Which means better insulation.

The solar panels are now 3 times cheaper than they were 18 - 20 months ago, I have no idea which way is it going. But this could be a good moment to make an upgrade here.

Roof surface is only one of the factors to consider while making (or especially modifying) the electric setup. The most problematic could be the wiring used during the construction, but can't imagine a professionnal company have not left a possibility to replace the cables from the solar panel(s) to the charge regulator.

Another very important factor I can think of is the solar charge regulator. The part can be replaced easily, even though available space could be a problem here. In theory you could move it aside, or think of another solution. The solar regulator was the first element on the charging side of the setup which I looked for. I took the biggest available last year, higher currents were available only on the home off-grid setups Which I have also considered, but the price different is huge.

The problem with diesel exhaust gases is that it contains soot. Much more than gasoline. I know that the modern diesels have DPFs etc, but I think everyone saw how burning out the DPF looks like. And that's where I see another problem: low rpms idling does not allow burning out the DPF. If you have bad luck, in theory you could damage the DPF idling.

Soot is one of the problematic components of the diesel exhaust gases. WHO claims that it is potentially carcinogenic. And those are the results of old tests, before all the 'ecology' in the automotive industry started.

I'd love to install a wind turbine in a way that it could use the wind rush during driving. That would be a very good alternative to the alternator. But it can't be external, as stationnary turbines, so probably it would generate not that much power That's a roof installed ventillator, which could be easily transformed into a generator I was thinking about:

I thought about installing it underneath the solar panels and making some air ducts to direct the wind onto the fan. But I quit this part for now, perhaps will come back to it when the van will be ready

 

[Hmmmmm]

x250 is the FIAT's codename for 2006 - 2014 Ducato. Basically it's the same model as the one which is sold now (x290), but it had several faceliftings and modifications during all those years, including the engines (so potentially also alternators, and I think it is the case, as the newer models alternators seem to be 'smart' alternators).

For the factory alternator, I've just checked online what the factory offers now - there are still two options available. The 180 A version is standard on the commercial van body (View attachment 455871), the 220 A version is standard on the other body type ( View attachment 455872 or View attachment 455873, sorry, I don't know the proper English term). Both body types can be used for conversions. You should ask your dealer / converter or check in the documentation, because even if FIAT installed one of them, it could have been changed later during the conversion. There's always a small chance that the converter installed a third party alternator, but I doubt it. FYI, in the x250 one of the alternators had 150 A, can't remember the current of the other one.

180 Wp solar is not much. It's one small panel. No idea what you have on the roof, but I think you should consider upgrading the solar panels in the beginning. I have the advantage that I'm making the project from scratch so maximum solar power was the second highest priority for me. I will be using almost all the roof surface in my project:

View attachment 455874
The wider empty stripe on the left (which is the back of the van) is for the only one roof window (it will be installed in the middle of the stripe) + probably some antennaes and possibly other accessories. The three rectangles are the solar panels (1900 x 1140 mm with 480 Wp each). Another advantage of such roof coverage by the panels is that I almost won't have any direct sun on the roof. Which means better insulation.

The solar panels are now 3 times cheaper than they were 18 - 20 months ago, I have no idea which way is it going. But this could be a good moment to make an upgrade here.

Roof surface is only one of the factors to consider while making (or especially modifying) the electric setup. The most problematic could be the wiring used during the construction, but can't imagine a professionnal company have not left a possibility to replace the cables from the solar panel(s) to the charge regulator.

Another very important factor I can think of is the solar charge regulator. The part can be replaced easily, even though available space could be a problem here. In theory you could move it aside, or think of another solution. The solar regulator was the first element on the charging side of the setup which I looked for. I took the biggest available last year, higher currents were available only on the home off-grid setups Which I have also considered, but the price different is huge.

The problem with diesel exhaust gases is that it contains soot. Much more than gasoline. I know that the modern diesels have DPFs etc, but I think everyone saw how burning out the DPF looks like. And that's where I see another problem: low rpms idling does not allow burning out the DPF. If you have bad luck, in theory you could damage the DPF idling.

Soot is one of the problematic components of the diesel exhaust gases. WHO claims that it is potentially carcinogenic. And those are the results of old tests, before all the 'ecology' in the automotive industry started.

I'd love to install a wind turbine in a way that it could use the wind rush during driving. That would be a very good alternative to the alternator. But it can't be external, as stationnary turbines, so probably it would generate not that much power That's a roof installed ventillator, which could be easily transformed into a generator I was thinking about:

View attachment 455879
I thought about installing it underneath the solar panels and making some air ducts to direct the wind onto the fan. But I quit this part for now, perhaps will come back to it when the van will be ready

thanks bro,
your setup sounds amazing, i wish i could upgrade the solars, but as i said, my installers told me its impossible... ( i sit on a wheelchair and i cant even check what they did there haaaa .

i saw on youtube one dude who installed solar turbine on the roof of a car, it was ok as far as i remember but nothing to get over excited about,
i think alternator charging while driving is the better option, but maybe worth checking the wind option. thing is how to charge when you are stationary, without spreading solar panels on the ground ( im in spain and im gonna be parking in a lot of places that doesnt allowed camping - i gotta stay within the borders of my car )

anyway - ill look for my alternator model and maybe upgrade it.

thanks again

A.C.

 

[the green vanper]

Thanks, I hope that I will move forward with the conversion next year and the setup will be more 'physical'. I'm going to finally pick up the solar panels tomorrow

In your case yes, charging with the alternator during driving is the most reasonable solution. But I'd still ask the installer to explain precisely why the solar can't be upgraded, it's your money, you're paying, so you can demand.

There are several solutions (even elastic panels that can be glued to a curved sufrace, roof racks etc.) that can be used in different situations.

Perhaps we will meet someday somewhere in the south of Europe when my van will be ready (2 - 3 years is the minimum I think). The avatar will be updated once the van will have a final external look (it will the most likely be green or green-gray; can't hide in nature in the red one )

 

[Hmmmmm]

Thanks, I hope that I will move forward with the conversion next year and the setup will be more 'physical'. I'm going to finally pick up the solar panels tomorrow

In your case yes, charging with the alternator during driving is the most reasonable solution. But I'd still ask the installer to explain precisely why the solar can't be upgraded, it's your money, you're paying, so you can demand.

There are several solutions (even elastic panels that can be glued to a curved sufrace, roof racks etc.) that can be used in different situations.

Perhaps we will meet someday somewhere in the south of Europe when my van will be ready (2 - 3 years is the minimum I think). The avatar will be updated once the van will have a final external look (it will the most likely be green or green-gray; can't hide in nature in the red one )

Lets hope europe still exist in 2-3 years with Trump and Putin in charge )

 

[Googlebot]

The alternator output is usually on a label you can just about get a picture of with a phone.

Get underneath at back of engine, alternator will be on the right hand side, put phone up by exhaust and take a picture.

Hymer usually put the uprated ones on.

Looking at about 50% of the alternator capacity maximum on a B2B charger.

Decent controllers and B2B is the key to a successful system. I recommend Victron. Not cheap but excellent quality and fault finding is very easy with all the data they give.

Agree with others, more solar the better.

 

[the green vanper]

I recommend Victron. Not cheap but excellent quality and fault finding is very easy with all the data they give.

Vitron quality dropped significantly when they moved the production to China. It is widely commented on most of the camper forums. And amazon. You can check the reviews.

 

[Googlebot]

Vitron quality dropped significantly when they moved the production to China. It is widely commented on most of the camper forums. And amazon. You can check the reviews.

That’s good to know.

I have only ever had one thing wrong and it was replaced immediately.

I wonder if that was a china made one?

 

[Newholland Tech]

Vitron quality dropped significantly when they moved the production to China. It is widely commented on most of the camper forums. And amazon. You can check the reviews.

Anything made in China can't be associated with the word "quality" sadly .....Vitron only moved production because it was cheaper not to improve quality .

 

[the green vanper]

Anything made in China can't be associated with the word "quality" sadly .....Vitron only moved production because it was cheaper not to improve quality .

There are several types of factories in China. A part of them offers higher quality than factories in other parts of the world.

Indian Mahindra's SUV with Chinese BYD's batteries are the first production cars with lifetime warranty for the batteries. Such promises come with quality.

 

[Newholland Tech]

There are several types of factories in China. A part of them offers higher quality than factories in other parts of the world.

Indian Mahindra's SUV with Chinese BYD's batteries are the first production cars with lifetime warranty for the batteries. Such promises come with quality.

From experience any warranty that's supposedly "lifetime" will have so many exclusions in the small print it's probably no better than any other .... define the "lifetime" of a vehicle ? Design life ? service life ? first owner ? ..... a promise of a lifetime warranty is no definition of quality .

I've worked on both sides of the warranty fence.... for a manufacturer and for a dealer.... warranty is just like an insurance.... Mahindra know that a certain percentage of batteries will fail and have included that replacement cost in the overall price of the vehicle.... their only risk is BYD will do what most Chinese manufacturers do and change the spec or design to save costs without telling anyone and as a consequence battery failure rate will be higher than they calculated .... often only the first production run is to spec as are the parts submitted to the manufacturer for testing and approval.... manufacturers only use Chinese made parts because the hidden government subsidies make them cheaper than the same item produced in another country .
Hence the proposed levies on Chinese EV's coming into many countries.....

 

[the green vanper]

It's become an off topic, but I will reply.

Of course there is a small print. As always, it's a standard practice used by all companies. Also the ones you've been working for

And yes, of course Chinese manufacturers are subsidied by their government. But look around you in Europe and a little bit further accross the ocean, it's all the same. And has been since ages. And will forever be. And as you've mentionned, there are the official ones and the hidden ones.

And one more: not only the manufacturers, but most of the businesses are subsidied.