Auxiliary vehicle power supply

• US 20060125443A1
• Filed: 12/15/2005
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scott A. Bolduc
• Original Assignee: Scott A. Bolduc
• Inventors: Bolduc, Scott A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,545,121 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/104
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 with multiple batteries

Abstract

A multiple-battery charging system for enabling a vehicle with an internal-combustion engine or hybrid engine to be equipped with a plurality of electric storage batteries. The multiple-battery charging system automatically connects batteries to load, at times alternatingly and at times in parallel. All batteries are charged, together or seriatim, and maintained in a charged state, by a single conventional charging source (alternator) with which the vehicle is equipped. In abnormal operating circumstances, such as when one or more batteries are defective or shorted, or the alternator is defective, the multiple-battery charging system prevents an operator from depleting a battery to the point where necessary peripheral equipment, such as a wheelchair lift, can no longer be operated.

Claims

1. A multiple-battery charging system for a vehicle having a vehicle load, and peripheral equipment, said multiple-battery charging system comprising:

a plurality of storage batteries;

a charging source;

monitoring means for automatically and independently monitoring a voltage on each storage battery of said plurality of storage batteries and of said charging source;

a switching means; and

a programmable control means for receiving voltage data from said monitoring means and, based on said voltage data, sending switch commands to said switching means to automatically switch one or more of said each storage battery to said vehicle load.

2. The multiple-battery charging system of claim 1, further comprising a display means for indicating a voltage status of said each storage battery.

3. The multiple-battery charging system of claim 2, wherein said display means includes a means for displaying an active status of said each storage battery.

4. The multiple-battery charging system of claim 2, wherein said switching means includes a plurality of battery connectors corresponding in number to a number of storage batteries in said plurality of storage batteries, and a charging source connector, and wherein each said battery is connectible to a corresponding one battery connector and said charging source is connectible to said charging-source connector, such that said switching means is electrically connected between said charging source and said plurality of storage batteries, and a plurality of contactors that are selectively switchable to selective one of said plurality of battery connectors.