I have an AC200L I use in my Teardrop camper. In my 2012 Jeep Wrangler, I have installed the Genisis Dual battery system (Gen 3). The dual battery system is designed to dedicate one battery to the jeep/driving and the other battery for accessories (ie, onboard air compressors, winches, etc). The Genesis system automatically isolates the main battery from the accessory battery ensuring the main battery won’t be drained by accessories.
I want to be able to charge the AC200L from the secondary accessory battery when driving OR just parked / engine off. Is it as simple as connecting the proper cables to the bus bar on the Genesis system and run it back to the Jeep and then have a cable on the camper that links the Jeep to the battery? If so, what cables / connectors would you suggest?
Or do I need the Bluetti Charger 1? If I do, will it work if the alternator is off? The Charger 1 says it has an alternator off detection system. Is there a way to disable this feature?
Short answer - Yes.
If connected to the AC200L DC input with the correct cable your Auxiliary battery will charge the AC200L. However it will be a slow charge at approx 100W.
If you connect the Charger 1 to the start battery it will only charge when driving and up to 560W.
If you connect the Charger 1 to your auxiliary battery it will continue to charge your AC200L with IGN off and until its voltage is low enough for Charger 1 to stop and at up to 560W.
Which ever way you chose, some management is required as I doubt you will want to flatten either of your vehicle batteries. It depends on how much charge you need from the vehicle. I’ll give you an example of my setup…
I have the Charger 1 - AC70s & AC180s. I also have a 375W Victron inverter in the 4x4 wired to the Aux BAT.
My Aux BAT has an internal 20A DC-DC charger wired to the vehicle power and IGN switched.
When driving the Aux BAT receives 20A, however, when charging either of my power stations via the inverter 240VAC in Silent mode, it draws 25A. My 12V fridge also draws 3A from the Aux BAT.
Therefore there is a net deficit in the system of up to 8A.
I rarely do this as it requires additional driving hours to replenish the Aux BAT. To separate the loads is why I now use the Charger 1 instead of the inverter. My alternator has enough capacity to provide 20A to the Aux BAT and up to another 30A (possibly more) to the Charger 1. You need to know your overall loads and what your alternator has in spare capacity. There are limits, lol. 