Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-23-2013, 09:42 PM   #1
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 25
Do the batteries charge up when running the gen

I run it about 1/2 hr once per month on a full load.
ewaldo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2013, 09:45 PM   #2
Winnie-Wise
 
Stevegd007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: San Diego County, CA
Posts: 303
Yes. Your house batteries should charge.
__________________
Steve & Leslie
Winnebago 2007 Adventurer 38T
Honda 2010 CR-V "Toad"
Stevegd007 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2013, 10:24 PM   #3
Winnebago Camper
 
camaraderie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by ewaldo View Post
I run it about 1/2 hr once per month on a full load.
Is this just for topping up an idle battery that has been in storage and was FULLY charged before being put in storage? Is your battery bank disconnected from all parasitic loads or does it have a continuous load on it in between your monthly 1/2 hour charging events? If so...what is that load? What size is your battery bank? What output is your alternator? When you climb into your coach BEFORE you start charging or running the engine....what voltage do your batteries read at their terminals?

It ain't a simple yes or no if you don't know the answers to many of these questions.
__________________
Cam... Georgetown 280DS 2015
Vespa Lx150 2013 Stella Auto125 2014
camaraderie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2013, 10:36 PM   #4
Winnebago Master
 
FIRE UP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 1,740
Quote:
Originally Posted by ewaldo View Post
I run it about 1/2 hr once per month on a full load.
ewaldo,
Well Sir, first off, it would be nice to know what motor home you have.
Year, make, model, engine, type of generator-i.e. diesel, gas, propane etc.

You see, coaches are set up many times, quite differently. Gas units "typically" are set up with a "Converter". And, most converters have a form of a battery charger built into them. Some are more powerful and have multiple stages of battery charging and some don't.

Diesel rigs are many times, setup with an "Inverter". And, many of those inverters also incorporate a battery charging side too.

Now, both units, a Converter and, an Inverter both run from 110VAC. And, that 110VAC can be supplied by both shore power and generator power.

So, the more info we have, the more we can help in determining maybe "How" your system SHOULD be working and IF, it's working correctly and as designed. Plus, when displaying all the info, it helps you learn more about your rig and how it works.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '08 GL 1800 Gold Wing
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Sophie character, (mini Schnauzer)
FIRE UP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2013, 06:22 AM   #5
Winnebago Master
 
wa8yxm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 851
Your batteries will charge. but.. 1/2 hour is not nearly long enough to do the job.. Monitor battery level and as it drops consider either

1: A six hour generator run or
2: Shore power. (note only need 6-12 hours of shore power)

Batteries charge the same, and by the same device (converter) no matter which source of 120vac you have in place.
__________________
Home is where I park it!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
wa8yxm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2013, 07:21 PM   #6
Winnebago Camper
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 25
Thanks for all the answers. I'm not wanting to charge the batteries by running the generator just curious if batteries would charge when running the generator. As per running the gen 1/2 hr per mo I heard that's the thing to do to keep it running in good condition.
ewaldo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2013, 10:02 PM   #7
Winnebago Master
 
FIRE UP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 1,740
Quote:
Originally Posted by ewaldo View Post
Thanks for all the answers. I'm not wanting to charge the batteries by running the generator just curious if batteries would charge when running the generator. As per running the gen 1/2 hr per mo I heard that's the thing to do to keep it running in good condition.

Must be a secret to know the model/type/make of coach.
Sorry for asking
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '08 GL 1800 Gold Wing
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Sophie character, (mini Schnauzer)
FIRE UP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2013, 09:45 AM   #8
Winnebago Master
 
wa8yxm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 851
Scott.. Normally you are right, Make and model make a difference.. But in this SPECIFIC question (And a very very few others) the same answers apply to all of 'em.

The only difference make/model wise in this question was not ask by the O/P.

"Will running the generator also charge the CHASSIS battery?"

That... Was not ask, and it is the only part of the question make/model specific.

That said. Yes, it would be nice if people asking questions included make and model.. Either of the RV, or in some cases better yet about the devices being asked about.

So your request for make and model... Is in fact included in one of the "Form Faq" type posts around here..

A very common related question: Should I leave my RV plugged in all the time?

Answer: Depends on the make/model of your converter, and THIS, in turnon the make/model of your RV.
__________________
Home is where I park it!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
wa8yxm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2013, 11:00 AM   #9
Winnebago Master
 
FIRE UP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 1,740
Quote:
Originally Posted by wa8yxm View Post
Scott.. Normally you are right, Make and model make a difference.. But in this SPECIFIC question (And a very very few others) the same answers apply to all of 'em.

The only difference make/model wise in this question was not ask by the O/P.

"Will running the generator also charge the CHASSIS battery?"

That... Was not ask, and it is the only part of the question make/model specific.

That said. Yes, it would be nice if people asking questions included make and model.. Either of the RV, or in some cases better yet about the devices being asked about.

So your request for make and model... Is in fact included in one of the "Form Faq" type posts around here..

A very common related question: Should I leave my RV plugged in all the time?

Answer: Depends on the make/model of your converter, and THIS, in turnon the make/model of your RV.
Wa8yxm,
Thank you Sir, for that. I know and realize that yes, generally there "should be" at least some form of battery charging while a generator is running. So many folks have tendency to just "Blurt" out an answer without knowing a bit more information. There's also many folks who don't know much at all about their own rig. Many of them just jump on a forum without looking at their own owners manuals, information pamphlets and more.

And, on quite a few diesel rigs with at least the 7.5QD Onan, the option of a battery charger is installed, right on the base of the generator. That charger is there to charge the battery(s) that are used to start the generator, not any other batteries on the coach. The "Converters" in many gas rigs don't have as potent of a battery charging system as many of the "Inverters" do in the Diesel rigs.

So, yes, a general answer of "Yes" it will charge your battery(s) "COULD" be true. Lots depends on how the coach, was setup in the first place. For instance, at least in the pre-'06 model Winnes and Itascas, there is NO PROVISIONS FOR CHARGING THE CHASSIS BATTERIES, when the gen is running or on shore power. In the early '06 and later ones, Winnie and Itasca started installing the "Trik-L-Start" as a remedy for dead chassis batteries after sitting for even a short while in storage.

So, this is why I asked what I asked. But, it appears knowing additional info to give an appropriate and somewhat educated answer, is not important. Oh well. No biggie.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '08 GL 1800 Gold Wing
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Sophie character, (mini Schnauzer)
FIRE UP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2013, 11:15 AM   #10
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: behind the steering wheel
Posts: 95
not to flame any one, but more information allows a poster who answers to give a more intelligent answer. a generic question will always get a generic answer. which may be absolutely correct, even though its generic.
without make, model, and sometimes, serial number, its almost impossible it give a somewhat correct answer. heck, with generators, even the series number makes a difference.
ive always been told to assume answers on forums are opinions. sometimes answers from personal experiences are the best.
only a hands on examination will give a correct diagnosis. having worked in the rv industry since 1967, ive come to believe that.
azpete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2013, 02:28 PM   #11
Winnebago Master
 
FIRE UP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 1,740
Quote:
Originally Posted by azpete View Post
not to flame any one, but more information allows a poster who answers to give a more intelligent answer. a generic question will always get a generic answer. which may be absolutely correct, even though its generic.
without make, model, and sometimes, serial number, its almost impossible it give a somewhat correct answer. heck, with generators, even the series number makes a difference.
ive always been told to assume answers on forums are opinions. sometimes answers from personal experiences are the best.
only a hands on examination will give a correct diagnosis. having worked in the rv industry since 1967, ive come to believe that.
azpete,
Roger that Sir.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '08 GL 1800 Gold Wing
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Sophie character, (mini Schnauzer)
FIRE UP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2013, 10:27 PM   #12
Winnie-Wise
 
SuperGewl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Oregon
Posts: 477
Quote:
Originally Posted by ewaldo View Post
I run it about 1/2 hr once per month on a full load.
Please fill out your Signature, This will better help those of us with a more correct answer.
However, yes they should and depending on your model when the generator is running will also charge the chassis battery or batteries.
__________________
Retired Navy Submariner
2014 Itasca Sunstar 35F; 5 Star tuned; 2014 Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk
SuperGewl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2013, 12:30 PM   #13
Winnebago Master
 
Ray,IN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 2,039
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperGewl View Post
Please fill out your Signature, This will better help those of us with a more correct answer.
However, yes they should and depending on your model when the generator is running will also charge the chassis battery or batteries.
It is filled in, 2003 Itasca Sunrise.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA 1SG, retired;PPA,Good Sam Life member,FMCA. "We the people are the rightful masters of both the Congress and the Courts - not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution." Abraham Lincoln
Ray,IN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2013, 10:13 PM   #14
Winnie-Wise
 
SuperGewl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Oregon
Posts: 477
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray,IN View Post
It is filled in, 2003 Itasca Sunrise.
We if it is I don't see it anywhere in his post. It must be just me then.
__________________
Retired Navy Submariner
2014 Itasca Sunstar 35F; 5 Star tuned; 2014 Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk
SuperGewl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2013, 10:42 PM   #15
Winnebago Watcher
 
LakeKerrGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Salt Springs, FL
Posts: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperGewl View Post
We if it is I don't see it anywhere in his post. It must be just me then.
Nope, not just you
__________________
Jack & Beverly
1999 National Tradewinds 7371; Cat 3126; 6 Speed Allison; 7.5 KW Onan; Freedom 20
2012 Nissan Versa on a EZE Tow
LakeKerrGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2013, 07:40 AM   #16
Winnebago Master
 
Ray,IN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 2,039
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperGewl View Post
We if it is I don't see it anywhere in his post. It must be just me then.
Did you look at his profile? It's right there, two clicks from here.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA 1SG, retired;PPA,Good Sam Life member,FMCA. "We the people are the rightful masters of both the Congress and the Courts - not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution." Abraham Lincoln
Ray,IN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2013, 08:26 AM   #17
Registered User
 
glenda1908's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 396
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperGewl View Post
We if it is I don't see it anywhere in his post. It must be just me then.

It's in his public profile. If you click on his name in the signature it will come up. But you're correct. It would make things easier if the info was in his signature.
glenda1908 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2013, 04:19 PM   #18
Winnebago Owner
 
NLOVNIT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 152
The discussion of rig info in a signature is not the topic of this thread. Please take that discussion to a new thread.

Thank you,
Lori-
__________________
Lori -
FMCA #F419886 | RV/MH Hall of Fame Lifetime Member
Virtual Grand Tour 45RL
NLOVNIT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2013, 06:08 PM   #19
Registered User
 
glenda1908's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 396
Quote:
Originally Posted by NLOVNIT View Post
The discussion of rig info in a signature is not the topic of this thread. Please take that discussion to a new thread.

Thank you,
Lori-
It may be off topic, but if you read the flow of the thread, it was only to clarify and inform where the information was located. If it had been started in another thread, those reading the thread would not have seen it. Just sayin"
glenda1908 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2013, 08:03 PM   #20
Winnie-Wise
 
rgvtexan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NE WA or S TX
Posts: 296
New thread posted!

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f59/new-t...ml#post1783530
__________________
04 Horizon QD, 12 Ford Flex, Excalibar, Brakemaster, Winter Texan, RVin! since 1974
Norm, Donna 01 Z3
Life is a Timed Event, you only get One Go Around!
rgvtexan is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
batteries


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Best Way to Maintain Charge on Coach Batteries? TrailerFool Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 8 05-24-2011 10:21 PM
1999 UA - Use of Gen-turi on Gen exaust daellishou Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 7 02-25-2010 03:24 PM
Charge (top-off)coach batteries georgeb Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 11 07-01-2009 09:26 AM
How long to charge my batteries? LK23 Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 6 01-07-2008 07:05 AM
Gen set= charge house batteries? WALLY NJ Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 10 01-19-2006 04:58 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:33 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.