Non-traction battery controller and applications thereof

A non-traction battery pack configured to power non-traction loads of a vehicle, comprising:

• a main processor;
• a battery management module coupled to the main processor;
• a battery coupled to the battery management module;
• a vehicle communication module coupled to the main processor;
• and
• a charge control module coupled to the main processor;
• wherein the main processor is configured to
• signal the charge control module to always charge the battery when the vehicle communication module signals the processor that an engine of the vehicle is operating and the battery management module signals the processor that the battery has a state value less than a first control value, and
• signal the charge control module to selectively charge the battery when the vehicle communication module signals the processor that the engine of the vehicle is operating and the battery management module signals the processor that the battery has a state value between the first control value and a second control value,
• wherein the first control value and second control value are based on battery voltage values.

A vehicle, comprising:

• an engine;
• an alternator coupled to the engine;
• and
• a non-traction battery pack configured to power non-traction loads of the vehicle and coupled to the alternator, wherein the non-traction battery pack includes
• a main processor;
• a battery management module coupled to the main processor;
• a battery coupled to the battery management module;
• a vehicle communication module coupled to the main processor;
• and
• a charge control module coupled to the main processor;
• wherein the main processor is further configured to
• signal the charge control module to charge the battery when the vehicle communication module signals the processor that the engine of the vehicle is operating and the battery management module signals the processor that the battery has a state value less than a first control value, and
• signal the charge control module to selectively charge the battery when the vehicle communication module signals the processor that the engine of the vehicle is operating and the battery management module signals the processor that the battery has a state value between the first control value and a second control value,
• wherein the first control value and the second control value are based on battery voltage values.