Alternator control system and method

An alternator control system for use with an alternator configured to provide a charging voltage to a battery and having an internal output voltage regulator that measures and regulates the charging voltage through an internal feedback line, the system comprising:

• a switch on the internal feedback line;
• a variable voltage source connected to the internal output voltage regulator;
• an external feedback line configured to be connected to a battery monitor located remote from the alternator and at the battery to measure a condition of the battery receiving the charging voltage at the battery;
• and
• a controller connected to receive a signal from the battery monitor corresponding to the condition of the battery over the external feedback line, and in response thereto, selectively open the switch, and selectively actuate the variable voltage source to selectively vary the voltage input to the internal output voltage regulator, thereby causing the internal output voltage regulator to signal the alternator to correspondingly vary the output voltage so that a voltage reaching the battery is at a pre-set value.

A method for controlling an alternator for use with an alternator configured to provide a charging voltage to a battery and having an internal output voltage regulator that measures and regulates the charging voltage through an internal feedback line, the method comprising:

• providing a switch on the internal feedback line;
• providing a variable voltage source connected to the internal output voltage regulator;
• measuring a condition of the battery receiving the charging voltage at the battery through an external feedback line;
• and
• receiving a signal corresponding to the condition of the battery over the external feedback line, and in response thereto, selectively opening the switch, and selectively actuating the variable voltage source and selectively varying the voltage input to the internal output voltage regulator, thereby causing the internal output voltage regulator to signal the alternator to correspondingly vary the output voltage so that a voltage reaching the battery is at a pre-set value.