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Old 07-31-2014, 02:15 PM   #1
mamestra
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Want to be able to keep batteries charged

We have three days booked in Death Valley in mid-November the only sites available are dry camping, the longest we have ever been without power with this 5er is a couple of nights, which were no problem, but we weren't running the fans. We have an old dog that doesn't do well with the heat so we want to be able to run the three fantastic fans 24/7. We seldom boondock so I really don't want to put a lot of money into something I plan to at the very best use infrequently. So I'm looking at this will this keep the batteries charged if I run it for 4- t6 hours a day? Our only other draw would be lights (leds) converter and fridge.
900 Peak/800 Running Watts, 2 HP (63cc) Gas Generator
Storm Cat 60338 63cc, 900 Watts Max/800 Watts Rated Portable Generator
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900 Peak/800 Running Watts, 2 HP (63cc) Gas Generator 60338 alternate photo #1
900 Peak/800 Running Watts, 2 HP (63cc) Gas Generator
 
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Old 07-31-2014, 03:56 PM   #2
mamestra
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Simple question will a $128.00 800W generator re-charge 2 6 volt battery if run 3-6 hours a day so that I can run 3 fantastic fans and everything else that I can't run on propane?
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Old 07-31-2014, 06:00 PM   #3
rohrmann
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My suggestion would be, why ask, just go ahead and run everything you plan on running in November right now, using the generator as you describe. In a few days you will have your answer. If it works, you're good to go, and if it doesn't, modify things until it works.
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Old 07-31-2014, 08:31 PM   #4
mamestra
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Didn't want to buy something that wasn't going to work. We store our trailer 5 hours away from where we live the next time we use it we will be traveling south so we won't have a chance to experiment.

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Old 08-01-2014, 01:24 AM   #5
Phil P
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Hi

Your converter will exceed the power output by double the converter draws about 2400 watts when charging low batteries.

If you frige is not 12 V powered then the EU2000I would also be too small.

If you don’t operate any 110 V appliances except for the converter and run your power plant at least 16 hours a day I would say your minimum would be a Honda EU2000i and then you would have to manage your power usage so you don’t discharge the batteries to much. The EU2000I will run 8 to 12 hours on a tank of gas depending on your power usage.

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Old 08-01-2014, 05:42 AM   #6
jcurtis934
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My opinion is that generators of this size are too light for what you wish to do. It will put out 800 watts max while running at full throttle and burning max amount of gas. 800 watts is only 6.5 amps of 120 vac current. Your major current draw is going to be the converter when it has to charge batteries and if yours is a 90 amp charger like what is in my unit...then it is drawing 1550 watts max to do its work...which is 13 amps of 120 vac current. This is double what you are thinking of...totally agree with Phil P on this. If money is not an object, buy a bigger genset. Can you rent one for the trip or borrow one from another rv'er??? John
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Old 08-01-2014, 07:49 AM   #7
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Look on Craigs list. I bought my two 2000i's on Craigs list for less than half the price of a single one. They hardly worked, but a couple of tanks premium with sea foam fixed that and they've been fine for three years now. If you belong to a camping club ask there, if not check with folks at church, kids friends etc. Someone will probably loan you what you need. I lend mine out every now and then.
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Old 08-01-2014, 09:23 AM   #8
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The Storm Cat is loud so hopefully you will not have camping neighbors in the vicinity . As I recall the reviews aren't very good on that one so it may fail with that much constant use.
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Old 08-01-2014, 11:07 AM   #9
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we was just down in DV and they have several State run RV Parks that had full hook-up they were installing them at Furnace Creek Campground I will look through my fliers and get the names and phone numbers then post here for anybody that might be interested.
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Old 08-01-2014, 12:53 PM   #10
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mamestra: here is additional information on Death Valley camping which will interest you.
http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...ad.php?t=59068
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Old 08-01-2014, 01:06 PM   #11
mamestra
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Thank you for all of the information, it looks like I'll be looking for something different for a generator I didn't realize how loud 81dp was. I'll see if I can rent one or see if I can buy a used Honda. Trailer Trash 2 I tried a couple of parks and they were full and there were no electrical sites available at Furnace Creek so I've already reserved a dry campsite.
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Old 08-01-2014, 02:19 PM   #12
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We use a Yamaha 3000 ei and have never needed a bigger gen. It will run 1 a/c if needed but if am very careful not to overload it we dry camp 99% of the time. I actually have a bigger gen a honda 5500 both very quiet haven't used the bigger gen in some time it's much heavier the 3000 is all I can handle weight wise loading it and unloading it.
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Old 08-02-2014, 09:04 AM   #13
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check your PM I sent you one. then look here for my information.

Campgrounds
Death Valley Campgrounds, Maps & information.

TT2

Quote:
quote:Originally posted by mamestra

We have three days booked in Death Valley in mid-November the only sites available are dry camping, the longest we have ever been without power with this 5er is a couple of nights, which were no problem, but we weren't running the fans. We have an old dog that doesn't do well with the heat so we want to be able to run the three fantastic fans 24/7. We seldom boondock so I really don't want to put a lot of money into something I plan to at the very best use infrequently. So I'm looking at this will this keep the batteries charged if I run it for 4- t6 hours a day? Our only other draw would be lights (leds) converter and fridge.
900 Peak/800 Running Watts, 2 HP (63cc) Gas Generator
Storm Cat 60338 63cc, 900 Watts Max/800 Watts Rated Portable Generator
om In
900 Peak/800 Running Watts, 2 HP (63cc) Gas Generator 60338 alternate photo #1
900 Peak/800 Running Watts, 2 HP (63cc) Gas Generator
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Old 08-21-2014, 01:40 PM   #14
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Just because your charger says it is 90 amp doesn't mean it charges at that current. It will support that much load (with a lot of heat), but the batteries charge at about 10% of their capacity. If they charge at more than that, they will start to overheat and boil off the water (even if they are sealed).

If you have 100 AH batteries, and they are 50% discharged, then they should charge in 6-8 hours. If they are deep discharge batteries, then they will take a little longer to charge.

These are very general numbers, but it will put you in the ballpark. The loads in any RV are hard to predict, so someone with a power center or a clamp-on ammeter stands the best chance to figure out just what's needed. I've found that my Honda EU2000 is sufficient to charge my two 100
AH AGM batteries, but I can't run my microwave when I first hook up. Remember that the Honda 2000 is good for only 1600 W continuous, and that there are other quiet generators that will do 2000 W continuous that might be a better choice.

Bob
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Old 08-24-2014, 12:36 AM   #15
clarkandsheila
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I have a 2955RL and I use a 1,000w old Yamaha which at max continuous is rated at 800W. It will run our converter, a 40amp output unit, with a few near stalls when first started. The converter draws a big hit but within about 2 minutes the generator handles it fine.

You trailer likely has a somewhat larger converter. A 1,000w gen may not be too happy with a 60 or 80A converter upon initial startup.

However, once the initial high battery recharge settles down it should handle it fine as that high charge rate will drop off quickly.

A 2,000W gen. should do just fine, even better.

Let it run a while, 20 minutes, and then turn on the Fantastics.

You will not be able to run the a/c unit.

Run the fridge on the propane only.

Ensure the hot water tank is run on propane, not on electric or shut it off completely.

The Fantastics draw , I believe, about 2A each at 12volt at full tilt so the gen. will handle it fine. Just keep other loads to nothing.

In the evening the temps will drop.

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