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Old 07-23-2014, 05:53 PM   #1
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generators -- the more I read, the more I ?

We mostly boondock camp and use very little power -- furnace fan a few times a night, water pump, few other vampire draws. Don't use the lights, the refridgerator or any appliances. Still, I suspect that one 12 volt battery isn't going to last a full five days. So I want to get a generator. Researched, researched and researched and I"m more confused than before.

All I simply want to know know is how small of a generator can I get to hook up to my battery every couple of days to charge? And do I need some kind of charger between generator and battery?

Anyone?
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Old 07-23-2014, 06:16 PM   #2
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Can't go wrong with a Honda EU2000 inverter generator. You can charge directly from the generator. Pricey, but worth it to us. We run 2 in parallel with a piggy back tank. Don't use it very often, but with our set up, can run 30+ hours without refueling.
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Old 07-23-2014, 06:20 PM   #3
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With just charging the battery, the OP may get by with a 1000 watt inverter generator.
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Old 07-23-2014, 06:20 PM   #4
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Can't go wrong with a Honda EU2000 inverter generator. You can charge directly from the generator. Pricey, but worth it to us. We run 2 in parallel with a piggy back tank. Don't use it very often, but with our set up, can run 30+ hours without refueling.

John,

thanks much for responding. Can you tell me, how long does it take to charge up a battery with something like that? Couple hours?
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Old 07-23-2014, 06:23 PM   #5
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I wish I could tell you the answer to that, but don't have much experience on that portion of the generator. I don't know the exact charge output. MtnGuy mentioned probably getting by with a EU1000. Probably so after rereading what you need to run. Might research the Honda site on the specifics of the generator and it'll probably tell you. Someone will probably chime in shortly that has more experience in that area.
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Old 07-23-2014, 06:31 PM   #6
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DC output says 8 amps for either one. I'm guessing that'd be the charging amps. Not 100% sure.
Honda EU1000i Model Info | Super Quiet 1000 Watt Inverter Generator | Honda Generators
Honda EU2000i Model Info | Super Quiet 2000 Watt Inverter Generator | Honda Generators
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Old 07-23-2014, 06:40 PM   #7
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So that would be 8 amps an hour at that rating?

mbm
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Old 07-23-2014, 06:43 PM   #8
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Cheaper option is 1000 watt genny. (Some are more quiet than others.)
With a 25 amp automatic charger plugged into it the genny would be loafing.
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Old 07-23-2014, 07:08 PM   #9
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Battery amperage/charger output. I would not charge more than 10 amps per hour on a battery I cared about.


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Old 07-23-2014, 07:42 PM   #10
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If its an AGM battery you can charge it faster and at a higher amperage. like 20 - 25 amperage. We have both Honda and yamahas and run both of them, tell the wheels fall off.
The Yamahas are a little better built.
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Old 07-23-2014, 10:24 PM   #11
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Y no solar?
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Old 07-23-2014, 10:50 PM   #12
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An EU1000 is about $750, the EU2000 is around $1050, YMMV. Spend the extra and get the 2000.

Charging time depends on the size of the battery, how discharged it is and how much battery charger it has. If you use 10 amp hours of battery capacity, it will take one hour at a 10 amp charging rate or 10 hours at a one amp rate.

Me? I'd top it up every day to reduce run time, in other words, don't wait until it's dead then charge it for six hours. Depending on use, an hour of generator time should be more than enough.

The charging output is 8.3 amps but isn't regulated if I recall correctly, I'd use a good dedicated smart charger.
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Old 07-24-2014, 02:39 AM   #13
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agree that the 2000w is the better choice. more versatile, not much more money and will run everything for sure, except maybe the a/c.
our Honda 2000w will run the a/c but that's near sea level.
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Old 07-24-2014, 04:48 AM   #14
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I have had a Honda EU2000 for 6 seasons. Great quiet genny. 2 Years ago I added a 123 watt solar system with 2 - 6 volt golf cart batteries. Now I only start the genny when AC power is needed for the microwave, hair dryer or toaster. i believe solar is the perfect solution
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Old 07-24-2014, 06:29 AM   #15
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or you can get this one and save a little money and have the power to run the ac and such if needed. They also have a 2000 watt model. I have had mine for a year now and no issues. it will run my 15k btu ac on a hot Texas summer day. Comes with a 2 year warranty.


3100 Watt Inverter Generator - Champion Generators 75531I - Portable Generators - Camping World
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Old 07-24-2014, 06:37 AM   #16
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Your 12v battery will not last 5 days.

If you don't mind noise get the smallest generator you can get. Harbor Freight has one on sale around $200 + a 25% off coupon & a free gift make it reasonable. If noise is an issue (it is for me) get a small Honda or Yamaha, some like Generic. Run your generator about 1/2 hour each day & you will be OK.

You could also add a 2d 12 volt battery which might work depending on how often that furnace is on. I prefer 2 matched 6v golf cart batteries. They have never let me down & the 1st pair lasted 10 years.
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Old 07-24-2014, 07:05 AM   #17
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Quote:
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So that would be 8 amps an hour at that rating?

mbm
If you have a 75 amp hour battery, and you completely discharge it before recharging, and then you only charge it a constant 8 amps per hour it will take a LONG time to recharge it. Worse, as the battery charges, the charging current needs to be reduced to avoid damaging the battery.

Better to run the charger every day for a few hours to replace what was used at night and during the morning to have a fully charged battery when you got to bed.

Here is an AWESOME article on battery charging and you should become familiar with the process to avoid permanent damage to your battery.

Battery Chargers and Charging Methods
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Old 07-24-2014, 07:10 AM   #18
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Run your generator about 1/2 hour each day & you will be OK.
I think you will find that this is not true. 1/2 hour will only give your battery a "flash charge" and it may appear to have 12 volts, but as soon as you put any load on it the surface charge on the plates will deplete and your battery will be dead again.

Typical time to replace "most" of the the charge on a 50% depleted battery (depending on whether you use the 12 volt charger on some generators, a dedicated charger connected to the 120 volt duplex, or plug the camper into the generator) will take between 4 and 10 hours depending on method chosen.
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Old 07-24-2014, 07:28 AM   #19
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Y no solar?
I agree. Could you not just hook up a solar panel and leave it connected during your camping?
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Old 07-24-2014, 07:32 AM   #20
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Yup, clean, quiet, will last longer, no maintenance etc....
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