Vehicle with electric hybrid powering of external loads and engine-off capability

A method of operating a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• mechanically driving at least one primary load with a power unit, said at least one primary load including a propulsion load;
• mechanically driving an electrical generator using said power unit;
• electrically powering at least one external load using at least one electrical storage device, each said external load being distinct from said at least one primary load;
• and
• controlling said generator to charge said at least one electrical storage device, said controlling step including selectively controlling a charging output and a charging period of time from said generator, dependent upon an average duty cycle of said at least one external load.

A method of operating a work machine, comprising the steps of:

• mechanically driving at least one primary load with a power unit, said at least one primary load including a propulsion load;
• mechanically driving an electrical generator using said power unit, said generator having an electrical charging output;
• electrically powering at least one external load using an electrical output from at least one electrical storage device over a drive period of time, each said external load being distinct from said at least one primary load;
• and
• controlling said generator to charge said at least one electrical storage device over a charging period of time, said charging output and said charging period of time being dependent upon said electrical output from said at least one electrical storage device and said drive period of time.