small genne just for charging batteries

[sledhead]

as I right this I am sitting in the coach running my 12 k diesel genne charging up my 6 gulf cart batteries as we had a break in the weather and made it to Florida early and have no pole power until tuesday .

kind of over kill because the temp . is nice and I like the windows open so not using very much power other then the battery charger and it is to the point that they are only getting 45 amps from the charger . batteries are about 97 % charged as per my bogart gauge so would it be a dumb idea to have a small yamaha 2000 gas genne that I could move it to a place that makes little noise ( in the back of my truck ) and run a extension cord to do the final charge and it could run the fridge as well . rather then run the big diesel genne .

any ideas ?

thanks   Dave

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Get a Honda 1000 or 2000, easy on fuel, one of the quietest around.  

[chessie4905]

If you want to keep the cost down for this, Harbor Freight has copycat models pretty reasonable priced. Otherwise, go with a whisper quiet Honda of same capacity.

[bobofthenorth]

Several years ago I saw a fuel cell at the Seattle boat show.  It was absolutely silent.  I haven't paid any attention to that technology but it might be an option.  As I recall it was relatively low power output but probably adequate for charging batteries.  It also only ran on methanol (as I recall anyway) so that would be about as convenient as hip pockets in long underwear but the technology has likely advanced.  Might be worth a look.

[Utahclaimjumper]

Solar.>>>Dan

[birdarchitect26]

I agree with above, a simple 1-2 panel/ $10 charge controller solar setup would keep them charged up, you could mount it on the roof or even make it something you pull out from time to time during down season.

J

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

I agree, running a big genset to just charge your batteries is overkill and will generate excess heat and also prematurely wear it out.  I have also thought of installing a second genset, probably a 1 KW Honda to run primarily to charge the batteries. 

If I was designing a bus from scratch I may consider this because then I could plan on a way to mount it so I don't have to tether it with a big chain and I could make space in a safe place for a large gas tank.  That is one of my issues, I don't like carrying plastic cans of fuel in my bus and don't like the look of carrying fuel cans on the back of my Eagle. 

Saying all that, I am seriously considering solar now because solar has been better perfected, is reasonably priced, and is relatively easy to install and are great at keeping your batteries topped off which is the best way to maintain them.

[sledhead]

solar panels would work if I was in the sun but we try to park under trees if we can

I looked at a comparison of the yamaha and the honda and they are almost the same but the yamaha has a longer run time on 1/4 load on the 2000 watt units

for the 45 lbs and the size it would be nice as a small back up unit for the rv

Dave

[Scott & Heather]

Go Honda Dave. You won't regret it. I have abused the living daylights out of my EU3000is units and they keep on ticking. Get an EU2000. Get the BERG gas extending system and call it a day.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[sledhead]

pole power is on !

thanks for the replies  now it is time to do the research to see what is the best way to go 

Dave

[bigred]

Harbor also sells a 100 watt solar set up for charging batteries for $149.00 if you don''t want to fool with the gas situation.

[TomC]

100 watts at 14.1 volts is just over 7 amps- not enough to charge, but enough to maintain.

[Oonrahnjay]

100 watts at 14.1 volts is just over 7 amps- not enough to charge, but enough to maintain. 

     Two problems - 1) We're talking Harbor Freight here, 2) Most places say "derate" solar numbers by about 75% meaning that on the odd day that a HF unit is working at all, expect about 75 watts.  "Hardly" enough to maintain a useful-size battery bank.

[bobofthenorth]

100 watts at 14.1 volts is just over 7 amps- not enough to charge, but enough to maintain.

100 watts is just something to stub your toe on when you're on the roof.  Don't bother.

[Oonrahnjay]

100 watts is just something to stub your toe on when you're on the roof.  Don't bother. 

    Roger that ...