Method of onboard ac power generation for vehicles with combustion engine

A method of distributing electrical power in a vehicle with a vehicle powertrain system, the method comprising the steps of:

• monitoring the powertrain system to detect a parked/idling state;
• receiving a user command for selectably activating an AC inverter mounted in the vehicle;
• in response to receiving the user command while the parked/idling state is detected:
• 1) driving a switch module from a nominal state to a dual voltage state, wherein the vehicle includes a first battery providing a nominal 12V output between respective first positive and negative terminals, wherein the first positive terminal is connected with a first bus segment, wherein the vehicle includes a second battery providing a nominal 12V output between respective second positive and negative terminals, wherein the second positive terminal is connected with a second bus segment, wherein the AC inverter has a parked/idling mode that generates AC power at an outlet when a voltage of a nominal 24V is supplied to an input of the AC inverter, wherein the switch module selectably interconnects the first and second bus segments, wherein the nominal state of the switch module connects the respective first and second negative terminals in each battery to a circuit ground, wherein the dual voltage state connects the second negative terminal of the second battery to the first positive terminal of the first battery, wherein the vehicle includes a first alternator driven by the powertrain system to provide a regulated voltage to the second bus segment, wherein the regulated voltage corresponds to 12V when the switch module is in the nominal state;
• 2) changing the regulated voltage of the first alternator from the nominal 12V to the nominal 24V;
• and
• 3) actuating the AC inverter.