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RE: Generator charging question
any thing under a nut, bolt, lug, etc.. that can NOT be unplugged from a connector IS hard wired
I do believe you mean the batteries are not "Directly" connected to each other
but are connected by relays or diode isolators
Yes my batteries do charge when I drive therefore they are connected but not directly. I believe I have a battery isolator. As far as running the genny after I get back to camp, it is not allowed where I am camping. That's why I posed the question originally. I would love to put a few solar panels on however I just don't have time this year. Maybe next winter when I slow down a bit. Thanks again, Jeff.
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scroller95969
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05/12/12 02:46pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Generator charging question
I owned two class C motor homes and the generators were not setup to charge batteries, only supply 130 VAC. I had to use a battery charger to charge my house battery.
Most gens aren't setup to charge chassis battery either making installation of a Trik-l-Start necessary.
We routinely use our generator to charge our house batteries. Normally 2-3 hours a day when we watch TV or about an hour a day otherwise. It feeds the same line that we plug in for shore power, Jeff.
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scroller95969
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05/12/12 01:20pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Generator charging question
Thanks for the info pianotuna. It would be actually 15 minutes each way for a total of 30 minutes a day. I was just trying to add the most charge I could for that time window. What I am trying to accomplish is being able to camp 3 nights in a generator free area without dropping my 220AH (when they were new) batteries below the 50% level. We normally only use one light for light for 4-5 hours per day along with using the water pump and the spark for starting the refrigerator and the hot water heater. I will try the voltage meter idea, Jeff.
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scroller95969
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05/12/12 12:34pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Generator charging question
too many variables
alternator size? power curve idling or driving?
what make model converter is installed in the RV. ?
assuming you mean parked an idling
if you have a good converter you will do better charging with the generator
if you mean driving vs generator, driving will accomplish the job
Yeah alot of variables that I can't seem to pin down. The alternator is either a 105 or 140 amp and the converter is a WFCO 8000 series which could be between 35 and 75 watts depending on the model. It sounds like it is behind my power service panel and I don't want to take it apart for this to find out.
Basically what I am trying to do is put the most charge in my house batteries in the 10 miles (15 minutes) between the campground and the trail heads back and forth. So is there something that prevents charging from both at the same time? Another words would running the generator while driving be a waste of time? Thanks again for all the info, Jeff.
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scroller95969
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05/12/12 11:26am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Generator charging question
Hi,
What type of isolation system is in place? If it is a diode, then definitely the generator will charge the house batteries faster.
I have a switch and relay so I can isolate my house batteries from the starter battery.
I hope to have some data on real charging rates from the alternator to house battery bank in the near future.
I'm not sure what kind of isolation system is in place. How do I determine that. I have a 2004 23' Tioga if that helps. Also in order for the generator to charge I have to unplug shore power and plug into a plug in the motorhome (no transfer switch).
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scroller95969
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05/12/12 10:38am |
General RVing Issues
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Generator charging question
Hi,
On a Class C motorhome assuming that the chassis battery is fully charged which way charges the coach battey faster - the generator or the vehicle running? Also if you have both going at the same time will they charge the coach battery at a faster rate or is there a transfer switch that won't let that happen? Thanks, Jeff.
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scroller95969
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05/12/12 10:24am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Bridgeport area
Google maps street view is a very handy tool for seeing exactly where you're going.
Yeah, I use googe maps street view all the time. Don't know how I ever got along without it. I normally feel like I've already been someplace when I get there.
Now I'm sittin' here with my stomach growling trying to figure out what breakfast place to hit. Thanks again everybody for all the helpfull info, Jeff.
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scroller95969
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04/25/12 10:24am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Bridgeport area
I have stayed in a large gravel lot overnight on the northwest end of town across from the Shell station and next to a grocery store. Big lot, trucks a few times, froze the plumbing in May one time, but for just a sleep and get on down the road, it's okay. Breakfast at the Bridgeport Inn used to be good, park on the side street next to the Inn. Also, along the Walker River where it runs right next to 395, there are some nice wide pullouts okay to overnight in. That would be south of Walker and north of Bridgeport.
Thanks Camorhino. The gravel lot looks like my style and eating out for breakfast would be a nice change, Jeff.
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scroller95969
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04/24/12 07:09pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Bridgeport area
Which Bridgeport?
3 incorporated towns (I've lived in 2 and have friends in the third.)
24 communities (8 of them I know personally, others not so much)
and that is just the US.
Matt
Hmmmm...The OP lives in Calif! How many of your Bridgeport's are off Hwy 395? How many are close to Walker? I know its great to have additional info and I see questions posed all the time without any reference points, in which case I dont bother to offer up an answer. To the OP.....last time I was up that way, Lake Topaz(Casino) had something like a 15 dollar rate for overnight and its not that far from Walker. Ive also overnited off the roadway south of Bridgeport near the River.
Thanks for the 2 responses. That gives me somewhere to start. Acampingwewillgo, thanks for saving me some typing. That is almost exactly how I was going to respond to Matt.
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scroller95969
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04/24/12 03:10pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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Bridgeport area
Hi,
Does anyone know of anyplace on US395 near the Bridgeport or Walker area that you can pull off for a few hours of sleep? Thanks, Jeff.
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scroller95969
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04/23/12 06:51pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Here's an unusual story - Bear Country
Update:
http://www.paradisepost.com/ci_20316090/no-lion-bear-blood-found-biggs-backpack?source=rss_viewed
Looks like we're all back to carting around bear spray.
And I was really looking forward to playing patty cake with Boo Boo!
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scroller95969
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04/04/12 11:22am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Here's an unusual story - Bear Country
Update:
http://www.paradisepost.com/ci_20316090/no-lion-bear-blood-found-biggs-backpack?source=rss_viewed
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scroller95969
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04/04/12 08:45am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: RVer's who sell at craft shows
We do 20-25 craft fairs in the western United States (mostly in California). I would be glad to answer any questions you have, Jeff.
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scroller95969
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03/29/12 08:13am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Clock
I like it! Is the clock hand cut, burned, carved, whatever you call it when you use a laser? Or is it computer controlled?
I make that artwork on Corel Draw and then send it to the laser which is computer controlled.
I want to thank everybody for all the compliments.
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scroller95969
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03/23/12 08:38pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: solar panel wattage question
Thanks for helping with all the math guys. You know what they say: there's three kinds of people in the world. One that's good at math and one that's not. This clears it up in my mind where I can do the math myself on the sytems that I put together on paper, Jeff.
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scroller95969
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03/12/12 11:40am |
Tech Issues
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RE: solar panel wattage question
Thanks for the info but I'm still confused (happens alot lately). So are you saying that if I use an MPPT controller on a 24V 240W panel that I'll get twice the usable amps into my batteries as using a PWM controller with a 12V 120w panel? Just trying to figure out what cost wise I need to buy. We mainly need it for recharging batteries for about 2 12V lights for 8 hours a day and maybe to run a TV for 5 hours a day but I want to size it at twice the size I think I'll need in case we are parked in partial shade during the day. We are in the position where we have to park on the street or parking lots or empty fields for 3-4 days at a time. Right now we have to run our generator about 2 hours a day to maintain our battery level. Thanks, Jeff.
You really should get an MPPT controller with a 24v panel and then you will get all 240w of power into your battery.
A 24v panel may have a Voc close to 40 volts that may not even be compatible with a low cost PWM controller.
Otherwise yes a 24v 240w panel may have about the same amps as a 12v 120w panel. But that is not really the point.
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scroller95969
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03/12/12 09:38am |
Tech Issues
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solar panel wattage question
My question is if I want a 12V solar panel that puts out 120 watts for charging my batteries and I buy instead a 24V panel will I have to get a 240 watt solar panel to equal the output of a 12V 120 watt solar panel? Thanks, Jeff.
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scroller95969
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03/12/12 09:08am |
Tech Issues
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Sharp solar panel
Would like to know if the below panel would be acceptable for a motorhome application. Any known issues? I can get a used one that has been only mounted for 1 month and stored indoors that claims to have full power output for under $140.00. Thanks:
Using breakthrough technology, made possible by nearly 50 years of proprietary research and development, Sharp’s ND-224UC 1 solar module incorporates an advanced surface texturing process to increase light absorption and improve efficiency. Common applications include commercial and residential grid-tied roof systems as well as ground mounted arrays. Designed to withstand rigorous operating conditions, this module offers high power output per square foot of solar array.
NEC 2008 Compliant
Module output cables now 12 AWG with MC4 locking connectors
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Maximum Power (Pmax)* 224 W
Tolerance of Pmax +10%/-5%
Type of Cell Polycrystalline silicon
Cell Configuration 60 in series
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) 36.6 V
Maximum Power Voltage (Vpm) 29.3 V
Short Circuit Current (Isc) 8.33 A
Maximum Power Current (Ipm) 7.66 A
Module Efficiency (%) 13.74%
Maximum System (DC) Voltage 600 V
Series Fuse Rating 15 A
NOCT 47.5°C
Temperature Coefficient (Pmax) -0.485%/°C
Temperature Coefficient (Voc) -0.36%/°C
Temperature Coefficient (lsc) 0.053%/°C
*Measured at (STC) Standard Test Conditions: 25°C, 1 kW/m2 insolation, AM 1.5
MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Dimensions (A x B x C below) 39.1” x 64.6” x 1.8”/994 x 1640 x 46 mm
Cable Length (I) 43.3”/1100 mm
Output Interconnect Cable** 12 AWG with MC4 Locking Connector
Weight 44.1 lbs / 20.0 kg
Max Load 50 psf (2400 Pascals)
** A safety lock clip (Multi Contact part number PV-SSH4) may be required in
readily accessible locations per NEC 2008 690.33 (C)
QUALIFICATIONS
UL Listed UL 1703
Fire Rating Class C
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scroller95969
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03/10/12 12:15pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Chevy 3500 Front Brake Shudder / Shaking
I had the same juddering problem ever since we got our used Chevy motorhome in the fall of 2010. It was so bad that it would almost shake you off the road and couldn't be controlled by just downshifting unless you drove below 10 MPH. Always happened on downhill grades slowing down for corners. It would be ok for the first 3 or four brakings and then get bad from there until the brakes would cool off. Replaced the front rotors with EBC slotted and dimpled rotors last summer and the problem has not resurfaced as of yet. I have been trying to be very conservative on the braking since I replaced them. I just used regular pads.
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scroller95969
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01/25/12 09:48am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: DW=???
Spelling is good, keeps the mind sharp. Computers and the internet are a passing fad, like VCR's, so keep spelling.
I'm sure you meant to write video cassette recorder?
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scroller95969
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12/20/11 09:06am |
General RVing Issues
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