Variable charging voltage
The variable charging voltage for the battery ensures that an optimal battery charge state is maintained, even in unfavorable driving situations. Unfavorable driving situations are, e.g. city traffic and driving in congested traffic.
The charging voltage varies, depending on
- Battery temperature and
- Consumer current.
Battery temperature
The temperature-dependent adjustment of the battery charging voltage prevents an undesirable increase of the battery temperature during recharging.
Moreover, the battery temperature remains lower, even at higher ambient temperatures. This reduces the amount of gas generated during charging and the amount of distilled water consumed.
Consumer current
The level of consumer current is measured by the IBS and transmitted to the power management via the bit-serial data interface (BSD). From this, the power management derives the charging voltage level to be generated by the alternator. This charging voltage nominal value, as derived by the power management, determines the level of the charging voltage generated by the alternator. This determines the battery charge current, which in turn influences the battery charging process, and ultimately the vehicle's consumer current.