1000w vs 2000w vs solar

jrctoby · 03-22-2015, 06:18 PM

We have a Shamrock 19 ft Hybrid. We use the batteries for water and heat only. We camp in the Smokys in early November and early May. Last November we had a few nights below 20 degrees. The batteries (2-12's) lasted 2 nights. Would the Honda 1000 watt generator, with the Trailer plugged in, charge the batteries so we won't run out of electric or should I get the 2000 watt? Would a solar set up be able to accomplish the needed recharge?

donniedu · 03-22-2015, 06:59 PM

1000 wW generator plugged in to a decent battery charger will do fine.

Blackhat6mike · 03-22-2015, 07:09 PM

I installed solar and haven't seen my bats below 12.7 since and I run a lot of 12vdc stuff. Your bats need to be large [115 amp hr or above] and deep cycle. No storage, no power. Small bats won't hold enough juice.
As far as which gen to get, always go bigger.

chriscowles · 03-22-2015, 07:10 PM

Related question: the owner's manual describes the converter on my 2014 21DK as having a 3-stage charger. That being the case, do I need to bring my Schumaker charging and plug it directly into the generator? Out is the on-board charger sufficient, if I plug my generator directly into the 30A feed?

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk.

donniedu · 03-22-2015, 07:20 PM

Personally I would look at the input amps of your battery charger and size a generator to that. Feeding through the converter will draw a lot of amps.

RPAspey · 03-22-2015, 07:31 PM

Which charger/converter has the higher DC output? I'd go with that one as it would decrease the time it takes to charge the batteries. If you use the Schumacher, turn off the converter.

Personally, I'd go big on the generator as I would use it for other things. But the 1000 watts is plenty to charge the batteries...no microwave, coffee pot or hairdryer, etc though. And the 1000 watts is lighter and sips fuel.

At a 10:1 ratio 12v DC current to 120v AC current, you'd have well over 70 amps available to charge the batteries on the 1000 watt genny. Assuming 100% efficiency and no other loads.

hammick · 03-22-2015, 10:56 PM

Your three stage converter/charge should be fine to charge your batteries. Now if you have 6v GC2 golf cart batteries that is another can of worms. I just bought some and am researching how to properly charge them. They take 15.3v of absorption charge which no ordinary charge supplies.

SKnight · 03-22-2015, 11:14 PM

Get the 2000, it's not too much more money than the 1000, is still very fuel efficient, still very quiet, can run more (microwave, coffee maker, etc.) and can be paralleled in the future to run your AC.

**Herk7769** · 03-23-2015, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKnight

Get the 2000, it's not too much more money than the 1000, is still very fuel efficient, still very quiet, can run more (microwave, coffee maker, etc.) and can be paralleled in the future to run your AC.

TIP: Buy the Companion Model FIRST. It comes with everything you need to parallel (except the connecting cables - which you SHOULD buy when you can).

That way if you get trapped without power and need the AC, finding a standard one in stock is a heck of a lot easier than finding the Companion on the shelf!

TGR · 03-23-2015, 02:01 PM

Just a reminder, a 1000W generator will charge a battery through your converter or an external battery charger just as fast as a 2000W generator. It will take several hours of running the generator to charge the battery and most battery chargers are not as good as the RV's converter for charging batteries. Going below 50% charge on a battery does reduce its useful life but sometimes that is necessary.

I prefer the larger generator because I can run a toaster, coffee pot or microwave, only one at a time, and it will run all night for the furnace no matter how much the furnace runs. I have a pair of 2000W Yamaha generators so I can run the A/C when needed but so far I've only used one generator at a time.

TURBS · 03-23-2015, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPAspey

Which charger/converter has the higher DC output? I'd go with that one as it would decrease the time it takes to charge the batteries. If you use the Schumacher, turn off the converter.

Personally, I'd go big on the generator as I would use it for other things. But the 1000 watts is plenty to charge the batteries...no microwave, coffee pot or hairdryer, etc though. And the 1000 watts is lighter and sips fuel.

At a 10:1 ratio 12v DC current to 120v AC current, you'd have well over 70 amps available to charge the batteries on the 1000 watt genny. Assuming 100% efficiency and no other loads.

I'm confused :what: "doesn't take much"
A 1000 watt gennie assuming it's "1000 running watts" will only put out about 9 amps.
A normal wfco or progressive converter can and will draw up to 8 amps especially charging two batteries.
Am I missing something?

RPAspey · 03-23-2015, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TURBS

I'm confused :what: "doesn't take much"
A 1000 watt gennie assuming it's "1000 running watts" will only put out about 9 amps.
A normal wfco or progressive converter can and will draw up to 8 amps especially charging two batteries.
Am I missing something?

Turbs, that's 8-9 amps @ 120vac. As I said, a 10:1 ratio, that would be over 70 @12vdc to the batteries. (Can't ever be 100% conversion from ac to dc)

TURBS · 03-23-2015, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPAspey

Turbs, that's 8-9 amps @ 120vac. As I said, a 10:1 ratio, that would be over 70 @12vdc to the batteries. (Can't ever be 100% conversion from ac to dc)

I see what your saying now.
My bad. :beer:

RPAspey · 03-23-2015, 02:42 PM

Real world example of what a 1000 watts of 120vac will get you: the 60 amp (@ 13.6 VDC) Progressive Dynamic PD9260 is spec'd at 1000 watts @120vac.

RPAspey · 03-23-2015, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TURBS

I see what your saying now.
My bad. :beer:

No problem, I don't mind a challenge as it forces me to explain a bit or to realize my errors.

TURBS · 03-23-2015, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPAspey

No problem, I don't mind a challenge as it forces me to explain a bit or to realize my errors.

Gotcha!

bob caldwell · 03-23-2015, 02:47 PM

I have both of the Honda 2000's and built an extended stay tank, because where we camp in summer we (dh) needs A/C during the day while I'm off tending to the car. I, would as Herk stated, buy the companian first because of the plug-ins. At evening time and early morning, I use an pure sine wave invertor for approx. 3 to 4 hours and haven't run out of battery yet....only have 1 12volt!. The converter charges just fine.

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