The latest range of commercial vehicles released by Renault complies with the European Directive (Euro 6) to provide fuel savings and reduce harmful pollutants from vehicles. This includes the Renault Master, Trafic and Kangoo models customised by many vehicle body builders for the recreational, emergency service and commercial market segments.
To achieve this compliance, Renault has equipped their vehicles with an advanced variable voltage (smart) alternator. These alternators control the output voltage based on vehicle operating conditions to reduce the electrical load and, in turn, the mechanical load on the engine. This renders it unsuccessful at charging a secondary battery to a useable level when installed in these customised vehicles.
The Renault solution to this problem is the REDARC BCDC, a three-stage In-vehicle DC-DC Battery Charger that operates from a wide input voltage range, making it suitable for 12 and 24 Volt vehicles. Its advanced electronics ensure that a secondary battery installed in a Renault vehicle will always receive the ideal voltage and current for maximum battery life and performance. It is also a highly advanced battery isolator that protects your start battery from excessive discharge, while allowing your secondary battery to supply additional loads.
REDARC’s BCDC range has been tested and validated by the Renault Technical Centre. The Centre stated that “REDARC’s in-vehicle battery chargers feature technology designed to fully charge your secondary batteries, regardless of their type or size. By providing a unique charging profile to each specific battery type, the REDARC in-vehicle battery charger is able to achieve and maintain an optimal charge in your secondary battery even in vehicles with a smart alternator.”
The REDARC BCDC will overcome problems with:
- Variable Voltage (Smart) Alternators
- Voltage drop due to long cable runs
- Inability to fully charge a secondary battery of different chemistry to the start battery
- Over charging your auxiliary batteries leading to damage and failures
- Limited charging levels resulting in reduced battery output.
For further information contact REDARC Export Manager Craig Herriot or Mr Dominique William Jacson (Renault Press Department) at Dominique-william.jacson@renault.com.
