--Happy Travels--
Ralph & JoAnn
2013 Wildwood X-Lite 241QB
2003 F150 FX4 Super Cab Lariat 5.4L
Jerry Parr
Full-time
2005 Mandalay 40B
Cat C7 350, 4 Slides
Blue Ox, Brake Buddy
2004 CR-V Toad
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Kenwood Radios
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Been using the gen and built in for 6-7 years.
POLORBR wrote:
What is the most efficient way to charge batteries with a generator? Is using the 12 volt DC charging cord connected directly to the batteries any more efficient than plugging the camper power cord into the generator. Why? Just curious. Thanks in advance.
Does efficient mean fast? Use both.What is the most efficient way to charge batteries with a generator? Is using the 12 volt DC charging cord connected directly to the batteries any more efficient than plugging the camper power cord into the generator. Why? Just curious. Thanks in advance.
The converter probably has more amps but may not have a high enough voltage. 12v cord has the voltage but only 8 amps.
You can replace your converter to get both voltage and amps. Post the existing converter model number for best answers.
The 12 Volt Side of Life
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
675w Solar pictures back up
time2roll wrote:
Does efficient mean fast?
x2
Does efficient mean fast?
Best help cn be given by posting make and model of converter.
Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow
2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker
My home generator has a twelve volt line but I am not sure if it is for battery charging or just a 12 volt line.
Twenty six foot 2010 Dutchmen Lite pulled with a 2011 EcoBoost F-150 4x4.
Just right for Grandpa, Grandma and the dog.
POLORBR wrote:
What is the most efficient way to charge batteries with a generator? Is using the 12 volt DC charging cord connected directly to the batteries any more efficient than plugging the camper power cord into the generator. Why?
What is the most efficient way to charge batteries with a generator? Is using the 12 volt DC charging cord connected directly to the batteries any more efficient than plugging the camper power cord into the generator. Why?
Usually the 12 vdc charging output from a genset is unregulated, meaning you can easily overcharge and boil your batteries if you're not careful. Better to plug the trailer into the genset and let the trailer's on board converter do the charging.
The 120VAC charger built in will output about 35amps to my on-board RV batteries and that's a lot more than that DC output on the generator.
SoundGuy wrote:
Usually the 12 vdc charging output from a genset is unregulated, meaning you can easily overcharge and boil your batteries if you're not careful. Better to plug the trailer into the genset and let the trailer's on board converter do the charging.
POLORBR wrote:
What is the most efficient way to charge batteries with a generator? Is using the 12 volt DC charging cord connected directly to the batteries any more efficient than plugging the camper power cord into the generator. Why?
What is the most efficient way to charge batteries with a generator? Is using the 12 volt DC charging cord connected directly to the batteries any more efficient than plugging the camper power cord into the generator. Why?
Usually the 12 vdc charging output from a genset is unregulated, meaning you can easily overcharge and boil your batteries if you're not careful. Better to plug the trailer into the genset and let the trailer's on board converter do the charging.
this is what i have none. works for me.
If you are going to be doing a lot of dry camping it pays to upgrade your converter/charger to something more efficient. Most OEMs use cheapo converters and only use a #8 wire back to the batteries. I upgraded to the Progressive Dynamics PD 4260 with charge wizard and also upgraded the wire to the batteries to a #4. The PD charger lets me put it in boost mode at 14.4v (instead of 13.6v) and the fatter wire minimized the voltage drop to the batteries. The PD is a 3-stage charger and will automatically drop the voltage back as needed so you don't boil the batteries.
I can get my pair of 6v deep cycle batteries from 50-60% back to nearly a full charge in 2 hrs of gen time. Before I was running the genny all day trying to get enough power bqck to last through the night.
POLORBR wrote:
What is the most efficient way to charge batteries with a generator? Is using the 12 volt DC charging cord connected directly to the batteries any more efficient than plugging the camper power cord into the generator.
What is the most efficient way to charge batteries with a generator? Is using the 12 volt DC charging cord connected directly to the batteries any more efficient than plugging the camper power cord into the generator.
The 12VDC outlet of most generator has very limited power (it main purpose is to power the field windings). It also has not "charge controller".
Either a separate battery charger or use the one built in to your converter.
My generator specifically states to NOT use the 12 volt outlet and at the same time draw 120 volt AC from it.
It is far faster to use the converter in the RV for battery charging. Some folks even add additional chargers in addition to the converter. That can be useful when generator hours are limited by park regulations.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
pianotuna wrote:
my generator specifically states to NOT use the 12 volt outlet and at the same time draw 120 volt AC from it.
The Honda 2k manual says to turn eco throttle off when using the 12v socket. Yuck..I don't think so. IMHO it's a poor choice for charging anything but the smallest battery.
my generator specifically states to NOT use the 12 volt outlet and at the same time draw 120 volt AC from it.
POLORBR wrote:
What is the most efficient way to charge batteries with a generator? Is using the 12 volt DC charging cord connected directly to the batteries any more efficient than plugging the camper power cord into the generator. Why? Just curious. Thanks in advance.
What is the most efficient way to charge batteries with a generator? Is using the 12 volt DC charging cord connected directly to the batteries any more efficient than plugging the camper power cord into the generator. Why? Just curious. Thanks in advance.
what year is your RV?
the newer RV's usually have a decent onboard converter/charger, and it is usually the ONLY way to charge the batteries...
so no matter if you are plugged into shore power, or running off the generator, the 120vac power coming in goes into the converter and comes out as 12vdc, and on to the battery.
the only way to get your batteries to charge quicker is to get a higher amp multiple stage smart charger... and depending on the size of your battery bank, it may be charging to its full potential on the charger you have.
1 or 2 G27 batteries can only use about 45amps of charge, so a bigger charger is not beneficial, but if you have 3 or more G27 batts, or larger/more batts, a 60-80 amp charger could help you..
2007 M-3705 SLC weekend warrior, 5th wheel
2014 Ram 3500 CC/LB, 6.7 Cummins
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2005 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO
1979 Bayliner 2556 FB Convertible Cruiser
Heavy Equipment Repair & Specialty Welding...
Get it as close to battery as possible.
For size use 15 to 20% of your battery capacity.
Make sure it does not trip the generator breaker.
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It's a hobby for me to make things better!
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2017 KZ, Sportsmen Classic 181BHS. 430Amp-h, Trimetric, 2kw Honda, Iota DLS-55_IQ4
rbpru wrote:
If your generator is designed to charge batteries it should be faster than charging through the 120 volt line and the internal charger. But how much faster is hard to say.
My home generator has a twelve volt line but I am not sure if it is for battery charging or just a 12 volt line.
If your generator is designed to charge batteries it should be faster than charging through the 120 volt line and the internal charger. But how much faster is hard to say.
My home generator has a twelve volt line but I am not sure if it is for battery charging or just a 12 volt line.
Your typical onboard charger is on the order of 30-60amps @ 12v
The 12V outlet on our Yamaha 2400i is 8amps unregulated.
At the low end, the onboard charger will be 4 times as fast and even the cheap ones are probably better controlled.
Another key aspect is the size and state of charge of the battery bank. Don't try and charge the battery bank to 100%. As a leadacid battery reaches 80-90% of full charge, the amps it can take in drops off rapidly, so the last 10-20% takes a very long time to charge but you get very little energy into the battery.
Better to charge more often but stop around 80-90% full. (Do plug in when you get home as it's good for the batteries to reach 100% periodically).
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV
Mandalay Parr wrote:
Probably let the onboard smart charger do it.
Probably let the onboard smart charger do it.
Erroll, Mary
2021 Coachmen Freedom Express 20SE
2014 F150 Supercab 4x4 w/ 8' box, Ecoboost & HD Pkg
Equal-i-zer Hitch
ADK Camper wrote:
I have a OEM WFCO converter in my camper. It will not go into boost charging mode no mater how discharged my battery. Therefore it can take a VERY long time to recharge a battery because the charger a!ways operates in adsorption mode. As others have said using the 12 VDC output from your genset is not very efficient either. What works best for me is to power the camper with the genset and use an inexpensive 10 amp manual charger plugged into 120 vac and connected directly to the battery. I only need to use it for about an hour every other day to keep the battery 50 to 90% charged.
I have a OEM WFCO converter in my camper. It will not go into boost charging mode no mater how discharged my battery. Therefore it can take a VERY long time to recharge a battery because the charger a!ways operates in adsorption mode. As others have said using the 12 VDC output from your genset is not very efficient either. What works best for me is to power the camper with the genset and use an inexpensive 10 amp manual charger plugged into 120 vac and connected directly to the battery. I only need to use it for about an hour every other day to keep the battery 50 to 90% charged.
Same for me, I use a vector/black and decker smart charger and the wfco together.
2012 Keystone Outback 312bh
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 4X4 Quadrasteer
2010 VW Routan
2007 Chrysler Pacifica AWD
Atlee wrote:
Assuming you have an on board smart charger. Some RV's have quality converter/chargers, and some do not. Mine, a Jayco 23RB does not. It's a WFCO 8955 model. I am going to fix that however. Have a Progressive Dynamics 55A unit with Charge Wizard on the way as I type.
Assuming you have an on board smart charger. Some RV's have quality converter/chargers, and some do not. Mine, a Jayco 23RB does not. It's a WFCO 8955 model. I am going to fix that however. Have a Progressive Dynamics 55A unit with Charge Wizard on the way as I type.
Mandalay Parr wrote:
Probably let the onboard smart charger do it.
Probably let the onboard smart charger do it.
The installation of 200+W of solar panels may mean that you never need the generator again, if you don't use it for other things like A/C or other heavy use. Solar does a better job of keeping my batteries charged than I can, manually (with many chargers).
'03 F-250 4x4 CC
'71 Starcraft Wanderstar -- The Cowboy/Hilton
Mandalay Parr wrote:
Probably let the onboard smart charger do it.
Probably let the onboard smart charger do it.
Very few towable RVs have a charger that's "smart" (3 stage)
THey area a dumb, converter.
But, they are far more effective than using the 12v output on the generator to charge your batteries.
Bob
trail-explorer wrote:
Very few towable RVs have a charger that's "smart" (3 stage)
THey area a dumb, converter.
But, they are far more effective than using the 12v output on the generator to charge your batteries.
This was true many years ago.Mandalay Parr wrote:
Probably let the onboard smart charger do it.
Probably let the onboard smart charger do it.
Very few towable RVs have a charger that's "smart" (3 stage)
THey area a dumb, converter.
But, they are far more effective than using the 12v output on the generator to charge your batteries.
In todays world, I have not seen a so called dumb converter listed for ANY towable... I am not sure if there are any on the market any more.
Now one of the most prevalent converters are the WFCOs.... They are supposed to be a smart charger. But they are VERY unreliable in this respect.
Huntindog
100% boondocking
2021 Grand Design Momentum 398M
2 bathrooms, no waiting
104 gal grey, 104 black,158 fresh
FullBodyPaint, 3,8Kaxles, DiscBrakes
17.5LRH commercial tires
1860watts solar,800 AH Battleborn batterys
2020 Silverado HighCountry CC DA 4X4 DRW
Still have my XADC-40 as a spare.
Example - If your 220 amp battery bank is at 50% charge (110amps missing from batteries) it would take that honda eu2000 with the DC charge cable, at 8amps, over 12 hrs to bring them back up to 90% capacity.
A quality 75amp converter/charger would take 1.5 - 2 hrs to bring to 90% charge.
2015 Nash 25C bumper pull /w 300watts solar my install
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2005 F-350 Diesel 4x4 CC SB SRW
2001 Honda XR400: many mods
12ft Lund WC boat & 9.9 Yamaha 4 stroke on custom loader.
time2roll wrote:
Xantrex got out of the RV converter market some time ago.
Still have my XADC-40 as a spare.
Xantrex got out of the RV converter market some time ago.
Still have my XADC-40 as a spare.
Maybe as a factory install, but anyone can get a Xantrex any day of the week from a variety of sources to use in a RV or TT. And the Xantrex units are multi phase charging. Some Xantrex units even can be user programmed for LA, AGM, or Lithium Ion batteries to take advantage of the individual charging characteristics of those.
I don't really care for charger/converter only setups. I prefer full blown Inverter/Charger units. Charge batts and pass thru AC when on shore power or generator. When unplugged from shore power, they automatically switch to providing AC from the Batts. Too bad not an option from the factory. But I realize the initial cost of a good inverter / charger can be pretty steep and for it all to work well usually demands more than one battery or going with something like a lithium Ion battery. But you get what you pay for in both functionality and end user satisfaction.
* This post was edited 02/03/18 07:59pm by Copperhead *
The advantages of the combo units don't do much for me.