Community Forums

Wbonsell · 03-11-2016, 02:24 PM

This is our first motor home with an inverter. A 2000w I think. We have AGM house batteries with a residential fridge. I understand when we disconnect from shore power, we need to turn on the inverter to power up the fridge and other things.

We are going to spend about 4 days on the Pacific coast without any hookups. I am curious as to how often I need to run our 7000 Gold generator to keep the batteries charged. With our previous older Bounder, we would run the generator about 4/5 hours per day, but I've read of folks getting days of use from their 6 volts without having to run the genny. Sure could use some guidance.

Thanks.

Mike and Cha · 03-11-2016, 02:31 PM

When we are boondocking we run ours a coupe of hours in the morning and a couple of hours just before going to bed. That way we get the MH nice and warm if it's cold out, turn off the generator, and turn on the invertor to watch TV. So far we have not had any battery issues. All our batteries are 12v though, so yours may have more staying power.

Wbonsell · 03-11-2016, 02:37 PM

Do I need to turn off the inverter before turning on the generator? And I do have new 6 volt AGM batteries but only two.

Mike and Cha · 03-11-2016, 03:07 PM

I have been told that it doesn't matter if you have the inverter on or not while charging. We turn ours off when not using it, but we have a gas fridge. So I think you need to leave the inverter on anytime you are not on shore power, or do not have the generator on, just for the fridge. As far as the batteries, I am no expert but I think that you have the same storage capacity as us we have two 12v house batteries, but from what I have read the 6 volts seem to last longer. Most of the set ups I have read about are a four 6volt battery set up. Are you sure they are not 12v batteries.

Where are you staying along the coast. On our last trip up through Oregon and Washington we found that a lot of the CG's had full hook ups and they were relatively cheap. Some only had 30amp electricity and water. When we first got ours I worried all the time when dry camping about the batteries, but I found running the generator a few hours a day kept the batteries fresh. We have plenty of holding capacity for water, took showers daily, and only had to dump the tanks after about 6 days if we were not careful. Also if there are any places, even if they only have 30amp hookups/water, I stay there just for the peace of mind.

PJStough · 03-11-2016, 03:24 PM

From what I have read most residential refrigerators use about 100 amp hours per day, so depending on the rate of charge of your charger, it would probably take at least two hours of generator time per day, just to compensate for the refrigerators use. Probably another couple hours a day for other useage. The best way to know for sure is to get a battery monitor, such as the Tri-Metric 2025 or 2030. With a battery monitor like this, you know exactly what the state of charge of your battery bank.

smlranger · 03-11-2016, 03:39 PM

I would leave the inverter turned on all the time. If you are on shore power or running the generator, the inverter function just goes into a standby mode and your charger will charge the house batteries.

If you have only 2 6v batteries, your amp hour rating is the total of the two batteries but since you don't want to drag them down too much (you want to keep them more than 50% charged), your realistic amp hour rating is that of one of those batteries.... probably 220 - 230.

You need to monitor the battery voltage to see how it goes. As others have noted, you are probably going to need to run the generator at least twice a day, maybe 2 -3 hours per run.

If you really want to expand your boon docking ability, think about adding at least two or four more 6 volt batteries to your bank.

Scottybdivin · 03-11-2016, 04:20 PM

I missed the part about how many 6V batteries you have. IMO, you need a minimum of 4 6V batteries to dry camp more than 1 night with a RF. It doesn't seem likely that you would have a 2000W inverter and only 2 batteries so I assume you have at least 4. Just for comparison, my Samsung RF 18 averages about 10Ah, so it would use about 240 Ah in a day. Of course there are many variables, ambient temperature, thermal mass, making ice, heavy use, etc.

D Lindy · 03-11-2016, 04:30 PM

I've boondocked several times and usually run the genny in the A.M. when the coffee pot is brewing (high amp draw item) for about an hour or so, and then again in the evening for and hour or so. I just keep an eye on my battery charging monitor to see at what level the batteries are being charge, and when it goes to "FLOAT" I turn the genny off.

Mr_D · 03-11-2016, 04:31 PM

I always figure 2 hours in the morning after quiet time is over and 2 starting a couple hours before quiet time if there is one.
But if it's really hot you may need to run the gen set more to keep the rig cool anyway.

twinboat · 03-11-2016, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smlranger

If you have only 2 6v batteries, your amp hour rating is the total of the two batteries but since you don't want to drag them down too much (you want to keep them more than 50% charged), your realistic amp hour rating is that of one of those batteries.... probably 220 - 230.
.

All of the advice you gave was good with the exception of the above statement.

2, 6 volt batteries in series, double the voltage but not the amp hours.

With only 2, 6 volt batteries the 50% capacity will be 110 to 115 AHs.

nothermark · 03-11-2016, 05:25 PM

FWIW there are two issues. The first is topping off the bulk charge of the battery bank. The second is power for what you are doing.

Starting with a pattern of generator time during peak usage like when getting started in the morning and again in the afternoon while preparing dinner. Keep an eye on your voltage as a rough guide to charge level when the generator is not running. It will drop and level off after you stop charging. If you are losing ground increase run time. If not you can look at decreasing it.

Keep in mind that when you are using the converter or converter part of the inverter the current is split between the loads and the battery. The battery also has a maximum rate it accepts a charge at. Running heavy loads will keep the battery bank from charging at the maximum rate. That is why you want time in the cycle without the microwave, hair dryer, and ice maker all running at once.

Wbonsell · 03-11-2016, 05:32 PM

Pretty sure I have a bank totaling 4 6 volt batteries. And the inverter is a Equinox 2000W charger. I just want to be able to boon dock a little over on the PCH at Rincon and make sure I can keep my residential fridge nice and cool. Another Siena owner says you can't boon dock because of the fridge, but I'm not sure he is providing me accurate information.

twinboat · 03-11-2016, 05:53 PM

The people who get days from batteries without charging, are ruining the batteries, streching the truth or not running a 120 volt fridge.

Leave the inverter on, it runs the fridge. It may or may not pass the generator voltage thru it. It don't matter.

Like most here said, 2 hours in the AM and 2 to 3 in the PM should give you good service.

If you have an ice maker, turn it off along with what ever you can live without, except during generator or travel time.

It's that simple, enjoy.

Mike and Cha · 03-11-2016, 06:36 PM

Rincon is ok and it's right on the beach, but not much else to do. If you are worried about it I would stay in the Pismo Beach area. You can stay at Pismo Coast Village with full hookups for $49 a night, or the State CG next door, no hookups for $25 per night plus $5 for your toad. The Camping area is much nicer, the beach area to walk on is much nicer, cleaner and you can literally walk for miles if you want to. You are in walking distance from several restaurants, and short driving distance from a bunch of great places to see, Avila Beach, Morro Bay ect. I think Rincon is $35 a night, and you are right on the road, and in my opinion way too crowded.