Battery bank in 35' 5th wheel

pianotuna wrote:
Hi ssthrd,

Yes, it sounds right.

However the wfco is FAMOUS for not going into bulk charging mode.

If you plan on an inverter--get one that is an inverter/charger (and hybrid, with load support, too).

Or replace the converter.

Hi pianatuner.

Thanks for your advice. We are on 110 right now, so I'll have a look for a replacement before we leave in the spring. And get someone who won't fry himself to install it.

Hi ssthrd,

Yes, it sounds right.

However the wfco is FAMOUS for not going into bulk charging mode.

If you plan on an inverter--get one that is an inverter/charger (and hybrid, with load support, too).

Or replace the converter.

So it sounds like 4 batteries would serve me well, and that when I need it, I should hook up the generator to the inlet plug.

The solar panels will be hooked up directly to the batteries.

Sound right?

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

It is better to use the generator of your choice to run the converter in the RV for charging the battery bank. Do you know the make and model of the converter?

BTW the battery choice is excellent.

Looks like WFCO Model WF-8930/50

Being a West Coast Nova Scotia boy, I have to support local. Lol They have a bit more capacity than the T105's that I had and were a bit cheaper. Figured I couldn't go too far from wrong.

Hi,

It is better to use the generator of your choice to run the converter in the RV for charging the battery bank. Do you know the make and model of the converter?

BTW the battery choice is excellent.

Thanks for your replies.

We are usually out 2 weeks at a time, home for maybe a week, then back out for another couple of weeks. We cycle like that for the warm months with the odd week at a full hookup site, so not much 110 power other than what I need from a generator. During our days, we seldom go below 70% when dry camping. We flash up the generator for the blender or the hair dryer whenever DW decides she needs it.

Normally, the solar panels look after things, but when the weather gets bad for a week or whatever, we need the generator to catch up.

If I used my generator to run my DC charger directly to the batteries, would that be a better/faster way to go?

We also have a 3500 watt inverter generator. Would it make a difference in charging time? Bad thing is it's a bit noisier than the 1600.

You can probably tell that I'm not the greatest when it comes to electricity...........

ssthrd wrote:
We recently bought the 5er in my sig, and I transferred the two new Rolls Surette 250 amp 6v deep cycle batteries from my old TT to the new 5er. I am tempted to buy 2 more batteries, but not sure if I really need 4 for boondocking for maybe 10 weeks a year......

couple things, how long are you out at a time when you go?
how much 110 power do you use when your out?

I had a 29 foot trailer when I lived on the island in the summer we could easily go 7 days on four 235ah 6V batteries but we were not running an inverter or anything. in the winter (used to go camping at jordan beach for new years a 3 day weekend wasnt an issue running the furnace.

now I have the same batteries in my 39 foot 5th wheel with 480 watts of solar. in the summer if I dont use the inverter we could camp for months, only limited by water and tanks. we have gone a week letting the kids watch 1 movie a night and limited Keirug time in the morning and evening. in alberta in september I can pretty much do the same thing. if I had to do it again I would probably get 4 of the rolls batteries and double or tripple my solar.

Steve

Acceptance rate above 85% state of charge is c/8. In this case it is:

250 / 8 = 31.25 amps.

It is not the generator that is the issue, it is the converter.

Adding new batteries to old is NOT recommended. If you do decide more power is needed, set it up as A and B banks with switching for A, B, Off, and all.

Any size generator or solar array will eventually charge them. Your question is probably more like how long will it take. If you run a 250 AH bank down 50% that's 125 AH. If you have a 30 amp charger it will take five or more hours to charge and use around 600 watts from your generator. Or, you could get a 60 amp charger and do it in about 3 hours while using 1200 watts from your generator. (Battery chargers are not 100% efficient, nothing is.)
The 12 volt output on generators is worthless and shouldn't be used. It is generally unregulated and very low amperage. If you read the fine print it's probably something like 8 amps or so where your RV's built in converter (charger) is probably 30 to 50 amps.

General rule is one solar watt per battery amp hour. In BC I’d go 1.25 to 1.5 watts per battery amp hour.