How much alternator do I really need?
Soon I hope to have my truck and 5th wheel. Since I will be new to 5th wheels I like to get advice about 5th wheels. One thing that I had been told is that I should get a high output alternator, aroun...
Forum Discussion
For the average RV'er 150 amp alternator is enough. However, I have dual alternators I'd ordered on my GM diesel truck with 260 amps total because I have 9 batteries to keep up and recharge.
The 9 are: 2 high capacity 12V starter batteries for the truck's diesel engine. 2 Group 31 deepcycle 12V batteries in the truck bed between the rear wheel inner and the front of the bed on the driver's side used for the 5th wheel if needed and always used when the Lance TC in on the truck giving 3 group 31 batteries for the 1500 watt inverter in the TC. Our Carriage Carrilite 5th wheel has 5 more group 31 deepcycle 12V batteries in it that power our 2500 watt inverter. One each + and - #2 gauge fine strand welder cable 8' long each go from the marine barrel switch + I mounted at the top of the 5th wheel lower bulkhead wall to turn current off or on for the + cable to connect the truck alternators + the 2 bed batteries.
Therefore, I have 7 group 31 deepcycle batteries capability for the 2500 watt inverter. Lots more amps when the truck diesel engine is running and all 9 batteries recharge real fast when the engine is running. That's why I have dual alternators and it works great and has for 10 years now. None of the batteries have ever been drawn down below 50% before being recharged and they last a min of 6 years and the 2 I replaced last fall were in there since Sept 2004 and still decent but way past time to be replaced.
We don't have to be misers on our 110 AC use and are not when we're not connected to shore power. Use the toaster, the countertop toaster oven, coffee maker, George Forman sandwich grill, tv's, all the lights we want, and the wife frys bacon and fish outside in the electric frypan so it doesn't stink up the 5th wheel, etc, and never worry about killing or deeply discharging the batteries. Also have a Honda EU2000 generator on the back of the 5th wheel and the Lance TC has a 3400 watt built in generator but they make noise and the inverter doesn't. Sure handy if or when needed!
The 9 are: 2 high capacity 12V starter batteries for the truck's diesel engine. 2 Group 31 deepcycle 12V batteries in the truck bed between the rear wheel inner and the front of the bed on the driver's side used for the 5th wheel if needed and always used when the Lance TC in on the truck giving 3 group 31 batteries for the 1500 watt inverter in the TC. Our Carriage Carrilite 5th wheel has 5 more group 31 deepcycle 12V batteries in it that power our 2500 watt inverter. One each + and - #2 gauge fine strand welder cable 8' long each go from the marine barrel switch + I mounted at the top of the 5th wheel lower bulkhead wall to turn current off or on for the + cable to connect the truck alternators + the 2 bed batteries.
Therefore, I have 7 group 31 deepcycle batteries capability for the 2500 watt inverter. Lots more amps when the truck diesel engine is running and all 9 batteries recharge real fast when the engine is running. That's why I have dual alternators and it works great and has for 10 years now. None of the batteries have ever been drawn down below 50% before being recharged and they last a min of 6 years and the 2 I replaced last fall were in there since Sept 2004 and still decent but way past time to be replaced.
We don't have to be misers on our 110 AC use and are not when we're not connected to shore power. Use the toaster, the countertop toaster oven, coffee maker, George Forman sandwich grill, tv's, all the lights we want, and the wife frys bacon and fish outside in the electric frypan so it doesn't stink up the 5th wheel, etc, and never worry about killing or deeply discharging the batteries. Also have a Honda EU2000 generator on the back of the 5th wheel and the Lance TC has a 3400 watt built in generator but they make noise and the inverter doesn't. Sure handy if or when needed!
