Multiple current source prioritization circuit with overvoltage protection

1. A multiple current source prioritization circuit that prevents a battery from charging to a voltage above a first voltage setpoint for a first voltage regulator, comprising:

a first input configured to interface to an alternator having the first voltage regulator;

a second input configured to interface to a solar panel having a second voltage regulator;

a first output configured to interface to the battery having a charge/discharge current and to a load having a load current;

first circuitry configured to detect that the alternator is in a first state, the first state corresponding to the first voltage setpoint for the first voltage regulator; and

second circuitry configured to:

when the first circuitry represents that the alternator is in the first state,

set the second voltage regulator to a second voltage setpoint higher than the first voltage setpoint;

and set a first current limit at an output of the second voltage regulator below the load current, wherein:

a first current at the first output includes an amount of current from the solar panel corresponding to the first current limit.

2. The multiple current source prioritization circuit of claim 1 , wherein the second voltage setpoint is higher than the first voltage setpoint by at least 0.2 Volts.

3. The multiple current source prioritization circuit of claim 1 , wherein the second voltage setpoint is higher than the first voltage setpoint by at least 0.5 Volts.

4. The multiple current source prioritization circuit of claim 1 , wherein the first circuitry comprises at least one of: a vehicle seat occupancy sensor, a current sensor, an ignition switch sensor, a Controller Area Network bus interface, an engine RPM sensor, a mass air flow sensor, a fuel flow sensor, an O 2 sensor, an oil pressure sensor, a sensor configured to detect a PWM signal from fuel injectors, a sensor configured to detect electrical noise detected on 12/24 volt system from an ignition coil, a frequency sensor, a speed sensor, a sensor configured to detect a threshold battery voltage, and a sensor configured to detect a signal between the alternator and a control module interface.

5. The multiple current source prioritization circuit of claim 1 , wherein the second circuitry is further configured to:

when the first circuitry represents that the alternator is not in the first state:

set the second voltage regulator to a third voltage setpoint, the third voltage setpoint being lower than the second voltage setpoint.

6. The multiple current source prioritization circuit of claim 5 , wherein the first voltage setpoint is about 14.0 Volts, the second voltage setpoint is about 14.6 Volts, and the third voltage setpoint is about 13.8 Volts.

7. The multiple current source prioritization circuit of claim 1 , further comprising:

a third input configured to interface to a third current source having a third voltage regulator;

wherein the second circuitry is further configured to:

when the first circuitry represents that the alternator is in the first state,

set the third voltage regulator to a third voltage setpoint higher than the first voltage setpoint and lower than the second voltage setpoint.

8. The multiple current source prioritization circuit of claim 1 , wherein the second circuitry is further configured to:

when the first circuitry represents that the alternator is not in the first state:

set a second current limit at an output of the second voltage regulator, the second current limit being above the load current.

9. The multiple current source prioritization circuit of claim 1 , wherein the second circuitry further comprises a diode and a switch arranged in parallel, the diode and the switch being positioned between the second voltage regulator and the battery:

and wherein the second circuitry is further configured to:

when the first circuitry represents that the alternator is not in the first state:

open the switch.

10. The multiple current source prioritization circuit of claim 1 , wherein the solar panel corresponds to a flexible thin-film solar cell array mounted on a vehicle.

11. The multiple current source prioritization circuit of claim 1 , wherein the first state corresponds to an amount of current from the alternator that is greater than 0.5 Amperes.

12. The multiple current source prioritization circuit of claim 1 , wherein the second circuitry is integrated into a solar charge controller coupled to the solar panel.

13. The multiple current source prioritization circuit of claim 1 , wherein the second circuitry is integrated into a vehicle electronics system.

14. The multiple current source prioritization circuit of claim 1 , wherein the solar panel is sized to have a maximum current output below a minimum value of the load current.

15. The multiple current source prioritization circuit of claim 1 , further comprising:

third circuitry configured to monitor an increased current generated by the alternator, the increased current generated by the alternator corresponding to an increased load current;

wherein the second circuitry is further configured to:

set a second current limit at an output of the second voltage regulator below the increased load current, wherein:

a second current at the first output includes an amount of current from the solar panel corresponding to the second current limit.

16. A current source prioritization system that prevents a battery from charging to a voltage above a first voltage setpoint for a first voltage regulator, comprising:

an alternator having the first voltage regulator;

a solar panel having a second voltage regulator;

a battery having a charge/discharge current;

a load having a load current;

a first output configured to interface to the battery and the load;

first circuitry configured to detect that the alternator is in a first state, the first state corresponding to the first voltage setpoint for the first voltage regulator;

second circuitry configured to:

when the first circuitry represents that the alternator is in the first state,

set the second voltage regulator to a second voltage setpoint higher than the first voltage setpoint;

and set a first current limit at an output of the second voltage regulator below the load current, wherein:

a first current at the first output includes an amount of current from the solar panel corresponding to the first current limit.

17. A vehicle including a current source prioritization system that prevents a battery from charging to a voltage above a first voltage setpoint for a first voltage regulator, comprising:

an alternator having the first voltage regulator;

a solar panel having a second voltage regulator;

a battery having a charge/discharge current;

a load having a load current;

a first output configured to interface to the battery and the load;

first circuitry configured to detect that the alternator is in a first state, the first state corresponding to the first voltage setpoint for the first voltage regulator;

second circuitry configured to:

when the first circuitry represents that the alternator is in the first state,

set the second voltage regulator to a second voltage setpoint higher than the first voltage setpoint;

and set a first current limit at an output of the second voltage regulator below the load current, wherein:

a first current at the first output includes an amount of current from the solar panel corresponding to the first current limit.