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Optima says that there is no limit to how fast you can charge their batteries, assuming that the voltage is OK. They say 13.6v to 15.0v. That means that even with a fairly small battery, the limitation will always be your alternator and wiring. My 2008 4runner has a 130 amp stock alternator...

Please take temperature into account! Otherwise you will quickly destroy your battery. It is rare to harm a battery by overcharging, but very easy to destroy one by undercharging. 14.7 v is only right when your battery is a 50 degrees F! Here is a table of charge voltages and battery...

I used a 24-12v system on a boat for years - worked well. 48-12v would certainly be doable. As far as the battery bank goes, there is no advantage. Your 48v bank will be the same size as a 12v bank, just different wiring. Charging is the big advantage. As you know, alternators of over about...

We followed the west coast of Mexico, on our way from Colorado to Costa Rica. Not the fastest route, but we found little RV parks all along the coast. Not fancy, but decent. It was great to camp night after night on the beach, with the sound of the surf in our ears. Good times! Or go down...

So, how to boost the alternator charge voltage? This ought to be its own thread, but, for now, a quick once over. Before you start, I strongly recommend that you install a voltmeter in your car, where you can see it as you drive. I have a Scan-Gauge, or you can get the $5 item that plugs into...

Keep it simple. The suggestions above that you should charge from your alternator with a $40 solenoid are right on. Think of it this way: When the engine is running, you want the batteries connected. When the engine isn't running, disconnected. Basically, it's that simple, and that's...