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Old 04-29-2008, 11:40 AM   #29
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Battery charging takes time and you can't push it. Think like 8 hours of time.

Spare batteries are nice but if you hook them all up together, you'll gain an extra 15% capacity or so due to the Peukert effect.

Batteries age faster the longer they sit around at less than full charge. They also age faster if they are run down too fast too often.

What seems to work best for long term off grid is the use of a genset for an hour or two in the morning to bring up the batteries followed by solar panels to top off the charge during the day. If use is low and sun is good, the genset may not be needed.

A tow vehicle should only be used to charge batteries when on the road or in an emergency situation. It is neither good for the engine nor very fuel efficient to let it idle for an hour or two trying to charge a battery.

Solar alone can be a problem in that it can be too gentle on the batteries. They need an appropriate amount of 'exercise' to inhibit sulfation buildup.
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Old 05-04-2008, 10:15 PM   #30
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">A tow vehicle should only be used to charge batteries when on the road or in an emergency situation. It is neither good for the engine nor very fuel efficient to let it idle for an hour or two trying to charge a battery. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ah, yes; But there is nothing else like the sound of a 300HP battery charger at 2,000rpm!
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Old 05-07-2008, 04:50 AM   #31
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Bob,
Sounds like you know all the good boondocking spots! I volunteer to let you hook up to my generater if you take us along!

Happy trails!
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Old 07-04-2008, 06:51 AM   #32
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BobCaesar:
Just joined - hope I am doing this in the correct place, manner and form ! I do appreciate your input to this newbie!

What is the best way to recharge RV batteries after a few days of boondocking, while still out there? My guess running the tow vehicle engine is first (maybe the only), but how long would you have to do it and would the "charge" come through the trailer's converter?

The only other thing I can think of would be an expensive generator. generator. Would you power a reg battery charger or again power up the entire trailer system and rely on the converter?

Your advice will be most apprecioated!

Thanks - Bob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Believe it or not the best thing without the cost of a generator is a simple gasoline engine (buy the chinese engines from harbor freight tools they run very quiet)

Hook this up either direct drive or v belt to a 100 amp big rig alternator. once the batteries are charged, you can maintain them by simply by bringing the engine down to an idle. very little noise.

Hook up a power inverter to the batteries and you're set. unlike a generator, this setup will have power without the engine running

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