Community Forums

Smithers · 06-15-2016, 09:14 AM

My options while dry camping for recharging the battery seem to be:

1. Generator to RV, battery charges normally through RV
2. Generator has DC out, pull battery and attach to generator
3. Bring battery car battery charger, hook that up to generator and charge battery with it

Has anyone tried all three?

Waiter21 · 06-15-2016, 09:22 AM

One thing to consider when charging the battery while plugged into shore power:

Your converter supplies power to the 12 volt systems when plugged into shore power. It also acts as your battery charger.

Older "single stage" converters, cannot supply a higher "fast charge" supply voltage, so the battery charging could take a lot longer.

Newer 3 and 4 stage converters automatically change the voltage to supply a fast charge when its needed, and then switch down to a trickle charge to maintain a battery. This is one of the main reasons I retrofitted my original converter with a 4 stage converter.

okcnewbie · 06-15-2016, 09:47 AM

You didn't really give us enough info to know what's best for you. Many of us have used all these methods for charging batteries. You need to research and use the best charger you have. This is probably the Converter in your MH.
As you may know already; Solar is the preferred method of charging for many of us on the forum. In my case it will never pay for itself but I couldn't be happier. I actually use my solar for battery charging even when plugged in. I'm happy and the batteries are happy.

plasma800 · 06-15-2016, 09:52 AM

if you're on 30 amp, then a EU2000 genset will do the job nicely.

If you're on 50 amp, then the eu2000 would still run the charger.. but be cautiuos not to overload the genset.

Well same for the 30 amp... unless you have the EU2000 companion, then you could run everything.

That would be my preference.

twinboat · 06-15-2016, 09:56 AM

Option #2 is probably the least effective. Most 12 volt outputs of portable generators is 8 amps.

#1 and #2 depend on the amp output of each. The higher rated one will do the best job if the batteries are run down real low.

Once charged to 70% or so, smart 3 or 4 stage chargers win.

parkerbill · 06-15-2016, 10:00 AM

I normally use my 100 Watt portable solar panel hooked directly to my batteries. (My ultimate plan is to put 200-400 watts of solar panels on the trailer roof.). When I need more charging ability I use my Yamaha 2400 watt inverter/generator and a good quality multi-stage charger plugged into the Genny and attached directly to the batteries. I rarely plug the shore power cord into the Genny. I do have a 1100 watt inverter that supplies 110vac to a separate dedicated outlet for when we need it.

vsheetz · 06-15-2016, 10:11 AM

#2 and #3 likely won't provide the charge rate needed. Your onboard converter/charger is likely the best way to go of the options provided.

cwsqbm · 06-15-2016, 10:13 AM

Option #2 is never a good option. The DC output of generators I've own was useful only in topping up a 12v starting battery when desperate.

Option #1 works, assuming you've got a sufficently large generator to run the built-in charger and whatever else you want to run at the same time.

Personally, I'm generator-less. At first, I used jumper cables, but that only worked when the trailer was disconnected from the truck. Hooked to the truck, I had to pull the trailer's battery to use the jumper cables. I decided to run a dedicated larger gauge charging wire from the alternator to the camper's battery (the one through the trailer plug is useless). That's been working well for me.