Generator charging question

GLBCamper · 01-28-2018, 08:38 PM

I have a Ryobi 2300w inverter generator to charge my 2x6v trailer batteries. I was going to do it by using a 30A to 120v dogbone and go through the onboard power cord that way. Is there a more efficient way to charge the batteries (not to use A/C or microwave. Just to charge the batteries.) If I do the above configuration, does it go through the power converter? I have a WFCO that has been fritzi and will be replacing it with a Progressive Dynamics when it does go, but I don’t want to be caught without charging abilities if I’m boondocking when that does happen.

cavie · 01-28-2018, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLBCamper

I have a Ryobi 2300w inverter generator to charge my 2x6v trailer batteries. I was going to do it by using a 30A to 120v dogbone and go through the onboard power cord that way. Is there a more efficient way to charge the batteries (not to use A/C or microwave. Just to charge the batteries.) If I do the above configuration, does it go through the power converter? I have a WFCO that has been fritzi and will be replacing it with a Progressive Dynamics when it does go, but I don’t want to be caught without charging abilities if I’m boondocking when that does happen.

Yes, your converter will charge your batteries. That's what it does. Your 12-volt lights run off your battery until a certain voltage is reached then the converter comes on and charges the batteries. Your lights will work off the converter even if there is no battery present.

Don't understand 30a to 120v dogbone. It's just a 30a 120-volt dogbone. There is no "to" involved in the description. You not changing amps to voltage.

**ependydad** · 01-28-2018, 08:55 PM

As for the converter, it’s it’s going- seems like you should just bite the bullet and replace.

CHICKDOE · 01-28-2018, 09:01 PM

yes you can plug the trailer power cord into the generator (with required adapter) and let the trailer inverter charge the batteries. your issue is that you do not trust the existing converter and that it might fail just when you need it. you could always carry a small standalone auto battery charger and hook it to the generator and the batteries if that 'just in case' situation happened. the trailer converter (either wfco or progressive dynamics) are supposed to charge the batteries based upon state of charge in the batteries. i'm sure the higher end auto chargers do also, but I don't know if this feature is in the lower end models.

cavie · 01-28-2018, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHICKDOE

yes you can plug the trailer power cord into the generator (with required adapter) and let the trailer inverter charge the batteries. your issue is that you do not trust the existing converter and that it might fail just when you need it. you could always carry a small standalone auto battery charger and hook it to the generator and the batteries if that 'just in case' situation happened. the trailer converter (either wfco or progressive dynamics) are supposed to charge the batteries based upon state of charge in the batteries. i'm sure the higher end auto chargers do also, but I don't know if this feature is in the lower end models.

an Inverter does not charge batteries. An inverter uses batteries to change DC into AC voltage. A converter charges batteries and provides DC power to run 12volt lighting.

Jay2504 · 01-28-2018, 09:10 PM

GLB, let me ask a couple of questions. How long do you plan to run the generator each day? Converters, especially WFCO, will charge the batteries very slowly. Watching mine with a clamp on Amp meter, the charge rate drops off in just a few minutes. If you will let the generator run for 2-3hours per day it might be ok, depending on how far the batteries are run down to start. I don’t have an inverter type of generator but yours might drop down to idle or near idle after maybe a half hour. If you want a faster charge you will have to buy a battery charger and use that. Jay

GLBCamper · 01-29-2018, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay2504

If you want a faster charge you will have to buy a battery charger and use that. Jay

I have a 0.75A battery tender that I keep on when batteries are in storage. Is that too small to charge the batteries with the generator? Say, for example, I drain to an amp meter reading of 12.1 and want to bring it back up to “fully charged” and I can only the generator 2-3 hours. Doable? Would I need a larger charger?

boondocking · 01-29-2018, 12:15 PM

Yes, you need a high amp charger (30-40 amp). If the battery is a 100 ah and was down to 12.1V the battery tender you now have would take about 80 hours to get to 80% charge.

GLBCamper · 01-29-2018, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boondocking

Yes, you need a high amp charger (30-40 amp). If the battery is a 100 ah and was down to 12.1V the battery tender you now have would take about 80 hours to get to 80% charge.

How long would it take to go from 12.1 to full charge if I went through a (working) converter via the on board 30a cable?

rsdata · 01-29-2018, 01:34 PM

Quote:

How long would it take to go from 12.1 to full charge if I went through a (working) converter via the on board 30a cable?

A LONG TIME
The converter in the camper is "dumb".

You need a battery charger... I suggest a smart charger like this 10 amp charger...

gectisme · 01-29-2018, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavie

Your 12-volt lights run off your battery until a certain voltage is reached then the converter comes on and charges the batteries.

I believe the Converter is supplying dc voltage and running the 12vdc circuits along with the battery any time it has 120vac. At least the ones we have had, did, WFCO and PD4655.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLBCamper

How long would it take to go from 12.1 to full charge if I went through a (working) converter via the on board 30a cable?

With a PD4655TV Converter and a single 12v battery, using the "Boost" mode, in a near perfect world, the manual states it can be done in about 18 hours. Not sure about the WFCO but would venture to say, it would be longer.

Over the last 20 months, our OEM WFCO died so we bought a 30 amp battery charger to use until the new Converter arrived. If you don't have one, it definitely comes in handy if you have Converter issues. Our PD4655 started having issues a few weeks ago so again, had to use the 30 amp battery charge until the new Converter showed up last week.

boondocking · 01-29-2018, 01:41 PM

This is the charger I use when needed, when the sun does not want to shine.

gectisme · 01-29-2018, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boondocking

This is the charger I use when needed, when the sun does not want to shine.

For a moment, I thought we had the same one but ours is a cheaper unit, but still very happy with it. Kept the Trailer Batteries going for 2 weeks last year and over 3 weeks this year while waiting for the new Converters. The only downside was having to manually put it into 30 amp boost mode every day or the charger wouldn't keep up. Not sure if yours operates like that but it would nice if it just sensed it needed the boost mode and automatically went into boost. I guess than it might as well be a Converter...

This is the one we have. SC8 - Schumacher Electric

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