Charging batteries with generator

[chriscowles]

With respect to the A/C, elevation limits your generator's power output but you may find data somewhere that details the specific effects, by level of elevation. Consider purchasing a booster capacitor for the A/C compressor. That may get you over the hump of starting the A/C, possibly enabling use of the generator under what would otherwise be marginal operating conditions.



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[pjnlorrie]

Your A-frame has the Cool-Cat system? Be careful, the Honda 2000 is rated 2000 watts surge (16.67 A) and 1600 watts continuous (13.3). Our 13500 AC draws 16A, have not checked startup amps. In other words, the Honda would need to operate at max output continuously, and will not meet startup requirements. The risk is damaging the AC compressor running it in a low voltage situation. Techs I have spoken with recommend a 3.5K gen.
To take this sideways a moment, and Montana is a good area for this-we use a 100W solar panel to keep our battery charged. Last year (CO & UT) we kept to the higher elevations to avoid the need for AC and using the solar panel never fired up the Honda.

[Tony w]

Chris,
That was very helpful. Thanks very much.


Tony W
Colorado and Montana

[Tony w]

Originally Posted by pjnlorrie

Your A-frame has the Cool-Cat system? Be careful, the Honda 2000 is rated 2000 watts surge (16.67 A) and 1600 watts continuous (13.3). Our 13500 AC draws 16A, have not checked startup amps. In other words, the Honda would need to operate at max output continuously, and will not meet startup requirements. The risk is damaging the AC compressor running it in a low voltage situation. Techs I have spoken with recommend a 3.5K gen.
To take this sideways a moment, and Montana is a good area for this-we use a 100W solar panel to keep our battery charged. Last year (CO & UT) we kept to the higher elevations to avoid the need for AC and using the solar panel never fired up the Honda.

PJ,
Can you share some details of your solar system?


Tony W
Colorado and Montana

[pjnlorrie]

Tony,

Here are some links for the solar setup we still use (1- 100W panel w/ charge controller) and the pole mount similar to what worked well on our Aliner. With the Vibe we now typically just set the panel on the ground with a prop rod. The Amazon/Renology system is plug and play. The charge controller connects to the battery, the cables are polarity protected and can be permanently installed or, as we did, set up with connector plugs so the panel and cables can be moved to best catch the sun. We used this for a single battery, with dual batteries two panels would better meet the recharging needs.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...dog-79817.html

http://www.amazon.com/Monocrystallin...r+panel+renogy

Chris's experience with running 13.5 btu AC on the EU2000 is very interesting. I am looking into trying it myself.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by pjnlorrie

Chris's experience with running 13.5 btu AC on the EU2000 is very interesting. I am looking into trying it myself.

I'm not alone. Others here have reported similar success. Elevation makes a difference but I have no experience with that.

Make sure Eco mode is turned off. The generator may be too slow kicking up the throttle when the A/C kicks in.

I haven't installed a fan delay relay but that might help. Search around here for details. My understanding is they're pretty cheap, but effective.

[abdiver]

Originally Posted by Tony w

The post was cut off. I have a 122 a frame with two batteries and am headed off grid for 8 days. I will be buying a small Honda generator.


Tony W
Colorado and Montana

I had the same problem as you and I ended up getting a Yamaha 2000 generator and I also wired up a 100 watt solar panel and put it in the front storage unit and just pull it out during the day and use the generator for microwave or night charging. If you got room for a solar panel they are not expensive anymore I got both my 100 watt panel and charge controller for about $160 and easy to wire up,
Just some ideas.

[MinneweeseMI]

I second ABDiver. We use a Yamaha 2400i and a 45 watt solar panel. The panel takes quite a while to charge the battery, but it does help a little. It's best use is probably at home in the driveway between trips!

The generator charges us up quite quickly. The charger in the A Frame is a pretty good unit from what I can tell.

[Malc]

We have a generator that gives 1200 watts, very small. We went 18 days without AC power every day we started our generator for 45 minutes and recharged our batteries with a battery charger. The charging rated was 15.6 amps.

In my opinion this is the way to go