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Old 11-05-2009, 04:44 PM   #1
scattershot
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battery charging

I heve read on here and other places that the converter that came with my 2006 2955 is not the most efficient battery charger out there. When I'm boondocking,can I use an auxilliary battery charger plugged in to my generator to recharge the batteries? Or will just plugging into the generator, as I do now, be sufficient? Seems to work, but if there's a better way I'd like to hear about it.
Thanks
 
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Old 11-06-2009, 02:42 AM   #2
WorkerB
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Scattershot,
My 2850RK has a 45 Amp charger/converter. The newer Monty's have 75 and 80 Amp chargers built in. Are you suggesting charging the batteries with your 85 Amp charger built in the Monty AND ALSO plugging in a 15 Amp charger from home into the genset to increase the charging amperage? I would say not a good idea. Usually the batteries will accept a higher charge but in a very short time you will see that the current output of the charger will drop. I watch mine closely and even though my charger CAN put out 45 Amps the batteries are only accepting between 8 to 20 amps. It's the internal Resistance of the batteries that determines how much current from the charger is required. Usually the built in charger is sufficient. Hope that helped.
On EDIT: You said your charger was not the most efficient. Hamrad had it right, maybe it's time to replace the original charger.
Hamrad! What are you doing up at 3:20 AM?
John
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Old 11-06-2009, 03:44 AM   #3
Jolu
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I have a question. I read about disconnecting the converter. Do you need to disconnect anything if you charge directly from the built in Honda generator charger? Is the generator charger better than charging from the generator connected to the shore power inlet.
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Old 11-06-2009, 04:42 AM   #4
firetrucker
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It's generally not recommended to charge from the dc output of the Honda. It's not built as a battery charger, and I'd plug a regular battery charger into it.

The converter is a good charger if it can charge in the three charger modes: bulk, absorption, and float, and has an equalization function. The standard IOTA charger only has two modes (unless they've upgraded it) and will cook your batteries unless you get the IQ4 add on. I've upgraded my converter and haven't seen any loss of water or battery problems in three years.

Bob
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Old 11-06-2009, 04:48 AM   #5
scattershot
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Thanks for the info, guys.
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Old 11-06-2009, 02:20 PM   #6
Jolu
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Do I understand correctly that the answer to scattershots question is it is best to plug a charger into the generator 110 and charge the batteries and you do not have to worry about the converter?
Thanks guys this is very helpful.
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