Jumpstarting WITH a Trailblazer

[H80N]

Andy
THANKS.... knew you had probably tried it... and as always a common sense reply.... do not expect to do too much of it but it was an interesting question... 12v systems being nominally 13.8v and 24v systems being nominally 28v (like aircraft power)... would slowly ramp up to, and not exceed these values.... for the given equipment...(have meters and Amprobes so no prob) my business is welding and not road service but it is nice to know that my trusty versatile Trailblazer 301G is good for yet one more thing.... WHAT A MACHINE!!!!
and thanks to all who replied to this nutty question
Heiti

[ASKANDY]

That wasn't a nutty question! I'd say it was "thinking out of the box"

[moe1942]

Heiti,

What is the sequence of events when using a CV power source for purposes other than welding. I only like fire works on the 4th.




Thanks for the heads up on the rain Don. Can't wait. I want to thank y'all for taking some of the steam out of these systems. Y'all are really gettin hammered in some areas. Took the scoot out for a ride this afternoon to get the oil moving. Fixin to cover it back up......


moe1942

[H80N]

Moe
never done it so I do not know for sure... My customer asked me the question and I asked you guys..... but If I followed Andy properly..... take an initial voltage measurement.... and slowly ramp up from there... while monitoring Amperage....(gotta warm as well as charge em) ....if Amps spike... then abort... as that indicates internal battery probs....
thanks
Heiti

[H80N]

Moe
automotive charging systems are pretty imprecise.... and pretty immune to voltage fluctuations.... have seen 12v systems pump 18v into a flat battery.... my greatest concern was protecting the TrailBlazer......
Thanks
Heiti

[moe1942]

Didn't really put enough info in my question and I'm posing this in general terms, not specifically using a TB..

I'm trying to visualize exactly when and how the leads are connected. Unit off, hook up leads, crank unit and slowly ramp up watching volts/current? Would backfeed before the welder is putting out cause internal component failure? Or would welder be cranked up and be in the run/idle position and then crank the volts up?

Since this topic is out in the light of day it might be a good idea to nail this procedure down before "trying it at home." If done wrong the fire works could be spectacular!!! And too, everytime I assume something my wallet gets lighter...

I'm basing my thinking on the way a battery charger with boost feature works. Connect leads then go to boost.

Hate to be a PITA but I can see where my Bobcat or AEA=200-L could have other uses. Do I dare say electrolysis?


Think I had better duck and cover...


moe1942

[moe1942]

Heiti,

In auto charging systems, if the regulator is working properly(GM) the alt should not put out more than 13.8-14.2. If the battery is in good condition they can handle much more for short periods of time. As Andy pointed out it is a good idea to feed it slowly.

In order to reach the full potential(Amps) wouldn't the volts have to be cranked up high on your TB or any CV source?

I know we are hammering this subject pretty hard but considering the stakes..........


moe1942

[H80N]

Moe
on my chevy/gm trucks when jumpstarting the voltmeter will regularly get to 18v..... to the best of my knowledge... you do not want to raise the voltage... amperage will fall according to how much draw from the system being charged...think you are referring to work being done in watts... and yep higher voltage will probably make more watts (up to the welder/charger limits).... but that is not neccesarily a good thing.... does your Bobcat have a CV mode??
hope this helps
Heiti

[moe1942]

Heiti,

Yes the Bobcat is CC and CV but no meters. I have have inductive amp gauges and amprobes though.

moe1942

[H80N]

Moe
in CV mode I would expect that the same rules apply as laid out by Andy...... HOWEVER!!! In CC mode I personally would not play.. Welders by the nature of welding tend to be pretty robust by design...so would expect the welder to be pretty safe.... but CC mode makes it a drooper... with an open circuit voltage somewhere between 60 and 80 volts.... and I would be very concerned about warping plates in the battery and possibly dielectric breakdown somewhere in the alternator/regulator.... making smoke due to massive overvoltage.. not having tried it... this is just a worst case guess..
hope this helps