I have a 2019 Ram Promaster 3500 Ext with the upgraded 220A alternator (sales code BAJ, Mopar part # 68271770AA.) I am using a Renogy 50A DC to DC Charge Controller and need to know if my alternator is Smart (variable voltage alternator) or a traditional alternator in order to properly install the Renogy DC to DC charger. No luck from RAM, Promaster, or Mopar in getting an answer.
N4Adventure
Almost spit out my coffee. The Dark Lords answer no one, pilgrim. On the other hand, @Jing knows his caca, electrically speaking. Attached link has an explanation of what a smart alternator is and an easy test for determining if you have one or not. (Spoiler alert: You don't.)
What is a smart alternator and have I got one?
What is a smart alternator and do I have one? This article is an updated version of our hugely popular 4 step simple smart alternator test. I hope you find it useful. Smart alternators are something that’s coming up more and more frequen...
rayneautomotivehelp.freshdesk.com
@dog_house , I get how a truly smart alternator would be advantageous. Any thought as to why the not-so-smart-but-not-entirely-stupid type of alternator like that in the PM is used?
So a "smart" alternator with a wide variation of output voltage has a shorter life span than either that of the PM variety with a narrow variation or a "dumb" alternator with constant output? I'm assuming longevity relates to the stress of producing higher voltage when coasting.
So perhaps the divergence between RAM's answer and empirical evidence from @N4Adventure and @larry barello lies in the notion that the PM generator itself is capable of being smart (variable output) but the electrical software does not allow it to perform in this smart mode?
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