Battery charging with generator

[DC8Captain]

My usual camping style is weekend boondocking with two size 24 batteries. The two batteries work fine for that but I will be doing extended boondocking, 5 days or so, this coming summer. I bought a 1000/800w inverter generator for recharging the batteries. So will I get more recharging by 1. Using the 12v plug on the charger and the supplied battery post clips 2. Hooking up to the TT via the power cord and charge through the converter. or 3. Hook a 120v battery charger to the generator and let the battery charger recharge the batteries?

Thanks

[twinboat]

The best way is to use the onboard charger, it should be sized for the batteries.

The generator output is an unregulated 8 amp output. Not a very good charger.

A seperate charger, if it's the right one, will work but if the onboard one does the job, why bother.

[cruzbill]

Make sure your onboard converter/charger is a 3-4 stage charger (won't overcharge your batteries). I have a similar setup on my TT; 2x group 24 batteries and a Progressive Dynamics power center converter/charger.

Mighty Mini Compact AC/DC Power Distribution Panel


I was boondocking at Quartzite a couple of years ago and using my Honda 2000i generator to charge. I wasn't getting the high amp charge that I thought I would get so I called Progressive Dynamics and they said let the batteries discharge to 12.4v or less, then plug in the Honda. That way the converter charger goes into 'bulk' mode right away. If battery voltage is > 12.5, the converter/charger thinks all you need is a 'float' charge. works for me.

[Unplanned Tourist]

Have to agree with Twinboat, use your on board charger. Easiest way to do that is get an 15- 30 amp adapter. If you have a 50 amp service, then you'll need a 30-50 adapter also. Just no AC! You will be able to use lights, etc. and not worry about draining batteries while genset is running.
Have fun.