LifePo Battery source

[frater secessus]

I want to generate the most surplus power I can rolling a big coal burner as a generator or it makes no sense. A forty minute booze and water run to town and back pretty much reaches the used capacity. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense to charge from alternators as it costs to much fuel and wear and tear on the units for the little added benefit. 

Agreed. 

I added alt charging to my (lead) system via voltage-sensing relay as a cheap and "nice to have" adjunct.  The overpaneled solar keeps the bank topped off.  Also allows charging from house to starter battery, and costs about the same as a good set of jumper cables.

Since my fulltiming plans don't involve much driving it probably won't be used much.

I won't be dumping big current into my planned, smallish (80A?) LFP bank.  Intending to stay in the sub-C [dis]charge range.