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12-05-2011, 05:52 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 2,945
M.O.C. #5651
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Generator battery charging
I am looking into getting a generator. Some seem to have DC output in addition to the 120 V outlets. What is best if you just want to charge the batteries? And if it is DC, how do you hook it to the batteries?
Thanks.
__________________
Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
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12-05-2011, 06:39 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Benson
Posts: 3,121
M.O.C. #1658
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The DC output on most small generators is not much, you would be better off using a good charger or connecting the generator to the trailer and letting the converter charge the batteries
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12-05-2011, 07:57 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 749
M.O.C. #2165
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And a good charger should have a multi-level charge scheme: bulk, absorption, float, and equalization (although not all charger manufacturers use those terms).
Don't use the generator dc output or a traditional car battery charger. They will cost you your batteries in the long (and sometimes short) run.
Bob
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12-06-2011, 02:39 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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My portable generators have a 12v adapter/wire that connects to the 12v generator outlet for charging the battery and while the generator is running it trickle charges the batter with this adapter wire that you connect to the battery terminals.
If you are going to install the generator then it's best to do what 8.1al recommends that making the generator part of the power system of the rig, then the rig's converter will charge the battery while the generator is running. No fooling with wiring that way. It will just happen automatically.
Like firetrucker, I have not used this wire and only have it for other battery charging applications in an extreme emergency since I agree I don't think this is the best way to recharge batteries and I have so many other ways that are better.
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12-08-2011, 06:44 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Benson
Posts: 3,121
M.O.C. #1658
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Thanks Bob, I should have explained what I meant by a "good" charger
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12-08-2011, 07:31 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
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We have a Honda 2000 and just run it to supply our power while boondocking. While using it to supply the 110 to operate the Monty it is also charging our batteries. We've never had a problem getting them charged up during the day to run at night. We do carry a battery charger because you never know when you might need it. We've had to charge our truck battery as well as our handicap cart batteries using the battery charger. It is just a regular Sears auto charger. So far so good. Good luck. Dennis
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12-15-2011, 04:35 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Antioch
Posts: 148
M.O.C. #9267
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I recently bought a Yamaha 2KW generator and the manual stated that the 12 volt output should not be used to charge batteries since it is not well regulated.
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