Have a 2008 Extreme megalite. After boondocking this weekend I had a couple issues. The 2 12v batteries in there are a few years old and won’t hold a charge (there ready for replacement). Want to replace there with 2 6v batteries, And possibly a separate battery just for starting the generator??? what’s your thoughts on using the genny a few hours a day to charge back up the batteries? I have all LED interior lights but do have the fridge and furnace running all day and night for the kids during these colder NW Trips. TV and a couple lights on throughout the day. 1) My 2 12v batteries went dead 2 times and had to just with the truck 2) would live some sort of alarm letting me know the Genny (Onan 4K microquiet) needs started to charge the batteries before its to late3) a possible way to make my generator auto start when it senses low voltage level.4) how to tell if my current converter is doing its job?

The best thing you could do would be to buy a $4 voltage meter from China. Get one with 4 decimal points, so you can see the difference between 12.5 and 12.4 evenly.. you will see 12.56, then 12.54. With that, you will begin to see your requirements and needs, and then you can learn when to recharge, and the benefit from charging for one hour or two hours. Those few things will make your life so much better, and all the people around you will be happy that you run a generator only as much as you need.

#4) when charging a low battery the voltage should steadily climb to 14.3+ volts.

1. Get a Voltminder. Connect it directly to the battery and it will give you a accurate read of what your battery level is at. It has a low battery alarm that you can set.https://www.amazon.com/VoltMinder-Digital-Volt-Meter-Batteries/dp/B001IQ1XW42. If your draining two batteries in two days you have a significant drain. If you use your furnace batteries won't last long.You will need to run your generator longer. Watch your Voltminder and try and keep it between 12.4 and 12.7 when not charging and batteries rested.3. Add more batteries. Two group 24 12 volts will have about 170 amp hours, two 6 volts will have about 220 amp hours. If you add two extra batteries to the two you already have you will double the amp hours. You can see you will end up with more amp hours with 6 volts.4. Solar would be nice but you will need at least 300 watts to do any good. That will cost you around $1000+

1L243 wrote:1. Get a Voltminder. Connect it directly to the battery and it will give you a accurate read of what your battery level is at. It has a low battery alarm that you can set.https://www.amazon.com/VoltMinder-Digital-Volt-Meter-Batteries/dp/B001IQ1XW42. If your draining two batteries in two days you have a significant drain. If you use your furnace batteries won't last long.You will need to run your generator longer. Watch your Voltminder and try and keep it between 12.4 and 12.7 when not charging and batteries rested.3. Add more batteries. Two group 24 12 volts will have about 170 amp hours, two 6 volts will have about 220 amp hours. If you add two extra batteries to the two you already have you will double the amp hours. You can see you will end up with more amp hours with 6 volts.4. Solar would be nice but you will need at least 300 watts to do any good. That will cost you around $1000+Thanks for the detailed response. The batteries are charging, but they are just a couple of old crappy car battery’s. I will be upgrading to good dual 6v setup. I was running the furnace nonstop, so I’m sure that was a big draw. Don’t think the solar panels would be worth the investment since the place we boondocks are heavy with trees and then on shore power when at campgrounds. You talk about batteries being rested, how long are you meaning? When at home and not using the trailer so I leave it plugged in all the time or is this hard on the battery’s? Thanks again.

Living in the northwest like you do 1L243, Shaft may need need more than 300 solar watts.

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1L243
Explorer II
Mar 19, 2018
1. Get a Voltminder. Connect it directly to the battery and it will give you a accurate read of what your battery level is at. It has a low battery alarm that you can set.
https://www.amazon.com/VoltMinder-Digital-Volt-Meter-Batteries/dp/B001IQ1XW4

2. If your draining two batteries in two days you have a significant drain. If you use your furnace batteries won't last long.

You will need to run your generator longer. Watch your Voltminder and try and keep it between 12.4 and 12.7 when not charging and batteries rested.

3. Add more batteries. Two group 24 12 volts will have about 170 amp hours, two 6 volts will have about 220 amp hours. If you add two extra batteries to the two you already have you will double the amp hours. You can see you will end up with more amp hours with 6 volts.

4. Solar would be nice but you will need at least 300 watts to do any good. That will cost you around $1000+
time2roll
Nomad
Mar 19, 2018
#4) when charging a low battery the voltage should steadily climb to 14.3+ volts.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Mar 19, 2018
The best thing you could do would be to buy a $4 voltage meter from China. Get one with 4 decimal points, so you can see the difference between 12.5 and 12.4 evenly.. you will see 12.56, then 12.54. With that, you will begin to see your requirements and needs, and then you can learn when to recharge, and the benefit from charging for one hour or two hours.

Those few things will make your life so much better, and all the people around you will be happy that you run a generator only as much as you need.

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