Volvo XC60 Alternator Control - Brake Energy Regeneration

[Wardair]

I am looking for information on when the 'Brake Energy Regeneration Mode' was introduced to the XC60 Alternator Control and what models this function is operative on and can it be switched on/off with VIDA?
My current understanding is that from 2010 Volvo introduced a Battery Monitoring Sensor and this is used to check Battery SoC and on some vehicles when the battery is above a certain percentage the Alternator Control changes from 'Conventional Charging' to 'Brake Energy Regeneration, Quick' (in daytime only) 'Brake Energy Regeneration, Slow No Discharge' is the mode used during the night.
Can anyone provide a link to further technical information on this feature?

Still reading and learning. My concern with this is there is a large discharge on acceleration which looks like the Alternator is used as a motor to assist engine, is this true?

Here is a great video showing the function in action:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-GfTlLmNjU

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Wardair

I am looking for information on when the 'Brake Energy Regeneration Mode' was introduced to the XC60 Alternator Control and what models this function is operative on and can it be switched on/off with VIDA?
My current understanding is that from 2010 Volvo introduced a Battery Monitoring Sensor and this is used to check Battery SoC and on some vehicles when the battery is above a certain percentage the Alternator Control changes from 'Conventional Charging' to 'Brake Energy Regeneration, Quick' (in daytime only) 'Brake Energy Regeneration, Slow No Discharge' is the mode used during the night.
Can anyone provide a link to further technical information on this feature?

Still reading and learning. My concern with this is there is a large discharge on acceleration which looks like the Alternator is used as a motor to assist engine, is this true?

Here is a great video showing the function in action:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-GfTlLmNjU

No the alternator is not used as a motor except in the D6 hybrid. There are very comprehensive details of Brake energy Regeneration in VIDA .

[johnnyoro]

Hi I think from about 2010 volvo started fitting so called smart alternators and the fluctuating charge current is caused by this .
My car does the same and as you say once the battery has reached a certain soc the alternator then just tops it up when the engine is on the overrun. Similarly when you apply power the alternator cuts out to reduce the load .
Just Another way of helping to reduce emmisions
Hope this helps

[Wardair]

Hi Clan and Johnnyoro
Thanks for your reply.
I do not have VIDA but my Diag Tool does show live data streams and when the Alternator is in 'Brake Regeneration, Quick' mode on my car there are very large battery discharge currents when accelerating hence my question.
I did read somewhere that the direct drive alternators are actually used as motors to briefly assist the engine during acceleration is this true?

[johnnyoro]

Hi you are probably thinking of the mild hybrids that use the alternator as a motor at times

[Wardair]

Can anyone explain why there is a 50A battery discharge when the vehicle accelerates, that is a a lot of power (600W) more than is needed just to run the vehicle?
It certainly looks strange to me if Alternator Charge Mode 2 is just turning the alternator off on acceleration.
Alternator Charge mode 3 (nighttime) has the comment 'no discharge' so what exactly is the different between mode 2 and mode 3?