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System settings

Your Altion Voltage Regulator uses a web-based interface for configuration. Follow the steps below to connect and access the configuration settings.

You must have your regulator correctly wired and installed according to the Altion Installation Instructions before proceeding with configuration.

Connecting to the Regulator

  1. Power on: Make sure your Altion regulator is correctly installed and receiving power.

  2. Locate the Wi-Fi network: Out of the box, your regulator will create its own open Wi-Fi network. The name will look like "Revatek-xxx" (where "xxx" is a random number). Use your Wi-Fi device (phone, tablet, or PC) and look for this network in your available Wi-Fi connections.

  3. Connect to the network: Connect to the "Revatek-xxx" network. Since it's an open network, you won't need a password.

  4. Access the web Interface: Open your web browser and type 192.168.0.1 into the address bar and press enter. This will take you to the regulator. Click on the configuration navigation link.

Configuration settings

You'll see a configuration form with three sections:

1. Alternators

  • Alternators regulated (Altion Max only): Choose whether you have one or two alternators connected to your regulator. For the standard Altion regulator, this option will not appear.

  • Battery connected to alternator (Altion Max only): If you have more than one battery bank, the regulator needs to know which one this alternator directly charges. Most setups will only have one battery bank. For the standard Altion regulator, this option will not appear.

  • Max field voltage: The maximum voltage the regulator will allow to the alternator's field wire. This protects your alternator.

  • Field polarity: Most modern alternators are "P-type", but check your alternator's documentation if unsure.

  • Target temperature: The ideal operating temperature for your alternator. The regulator will adjust its output to help maintain that temperature.

  • Startup delay: Allows a brief delay after engine start before the regulator begins charging, giving the engine time to settle.

  • Stator sensor installed: Select this if you have a stator sensor attached to your alternator.  If you make this selection, you will see additional options for configuring how the regulator uses the stator sensor data to optimize charging and manage engine load (RPM).

2. Batteries

Battery type matters! These settings are heavily dependent on whether you have a lead-acid, AGM, lithium, or other battery type. Consult your battery manufacturer or a battery professional for recommended values to enter here.

  • Prepopulate battery bank specifications: Save time if you know your battery type, model and voltage – simply select these from the dropdown lists.

  • Battery voltage sense installed: Select this if you've installed a sensor that lets the regulator directly monitor battery voltage.
    This is highly recommended for accurate charging.

  • Temperature sense installed: Select this if you have a temperature sensor on your battery. The regulator uses this to protect batteries during charging, especially critical for lithium batteries.

    • If selected: Enter the temperature range the regulator should use to control charging (protects against damage from extreme temperatures).

  • Current shunt installed: Select this if you have a device that lets the regulator accurately measure current flow in/out of the battery bank. Highly recommended for advanced battery monitoring and health.

    • If selected, you will need to specify the shunt's capacity (amps) and voltage rating, along with other battery details to optimize charging.

  • Charging profile: Your battery goes through different stages to ensure it gets fully charged, stays healthy, and isn't overcharged. This subsection lets you fine-tune how your Altion regulator handles those stages.

  • Bulk + Absorb

    • Charging Voltage: The main target voltage the regulator will try to reach. Higher voltage = faster charging, but you must make sure this is safe for your battery type.

    • Minimum Time in Charging Stage: Prevents the regulator from switching to the next stage too quickly, even if the voltage target is reached. This helps if your battery was deeply discharged.

    • Maximum Time in Charging Stage: A safety feature - after a certain time, the regulator will move to the next stage even if the voltage target hasn't been hit. This prevents endless charging if something isn't right.

    • Field Power Target Min Until Transitioning to Float: Lets you control switching from Bulk/Absorb to Float based on how much power the alternator is generating. This setting applies only if no shunt is installed.

    • Current Min as Percent of Battery Capacity: Lets you control when the regulator moves to Float based on how much current is flowing into the battery. This setting applies only if a shunt is installed.

    • Use Additional Absorb Stage (Post CV): Less common setting, as most setups won't need this. It essentially adds a second "Absorb" stage to top the battery off without risk of overcharging.

  • Float

    • Charging Voltage: A low voltage meant to maintain your battery charge once it's full. The goal is to compensate for any small usage, without over stressing the battery long-term.

    • Minimum/Maximum Time: Lets you set time limits in Float mode for additional safety or customization.

    • Go to Previous Phase if Voltage Drops: If the battery voltage falls too low in Float (could mean a heavy load), the regulator will go back to actively charging.

    • Go To Previous Phase if Field Power Target Exceeds: If the alternator is having to maintain significant power just to maintain a voltage, the regulator will go back to actively charging. This setting applies only if no shunt is installed.

    • Go to Previous Phase if Amp Hour Draw Exceeds: If the batteries drain this percentage of their capacity, the regulator will go back to actively charging. This setting applies only if a shunt is installed.

    • External alternator charge cutoff installed: Check this box if you have an external charge cutoff device wired to your regulator. This section allows you to connect an external device that will automatically stop the regulator from charging the battery bank under specific conditions. This can be used for over-temperature protection: If your batteries have a built-in safety mechanism, you can connect it to trigger a cutoff if temperatures get too high. It can also be used for system-level controls: You might have a more sophisticated battery management system that wants to stop charging under certain circumstances.

      • Configuring this incorrectly could lead to unexpected behavior or damage.

      • If selected, you will need to indicate the charge cutoff polarity: The signal type that will tell your regulator to stop charging. Make sure your external charge cutoff device is compatible with the signal type you select here.

        • Low signal: Recommended. Charging will occur when the input is HIGH (receiving voltage), and charging will DISABLED when the input goes LOW (grounded by the external device).

        • High signal: Charging will occur normally when the input is LOW (grounded), and charging will DISABLE when the input goes HIGH (receives voltage from the external device) 

3. Network

This is where you configure how your regulator connects to your network:

  • Regulator hosted Wi-Fi: Your regulator can create its own Wi-Fi network for configuration and monitoring.

  • External Wi-Fi: Join the regulator to an existing Wi-Fi network for reliable connectivity and system integration.

  • Ethernet: For wired connections to an existing network with maximum robustness and reliability.

Submitting and Saving Configurations

  • Submit button: Once you've entered your settings, click "Submit" to send them to the regulator.

  • Import configuration: Click "Import Configuration" and select a previously saved configuration file to easily load settings.

  • Export configuration: Click "Export Configuration" to save your current configuration as a file for backup or to use on multiple regulators.

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