charging rates
We are planning a fall trip using state and national forest sites that no electrical hookups. Idea is to stay at each site a day or two and move on. Traveling between sites, what battery recharge ra...
Forum Discussion
"Depends on the size of the wire between the battery isolator and the batteries"
This IS the right answer from MrWizard and along with the tow vehicle/vehicle alternator's amperage output available. Can't get the needed amps to the batteries either unless the alternator produces them! Then the biggie, a wiring circuit's wires diameter determines how many amps it will or can carry thru it and the smallest diameter wire or connection at any point in the entire circiut is an acting CHOKE which controls how many amps get thru.
That is why I have #2 gauge fine strand copper welder cable going from my dual alternators all the way back to the battery bank in the 5th wheel with 80 amp marine slow blow fuses and a slide switch under the tow vehicle hood and a marine very HDbarrel switch on the 5th wheel. 12V DC has lots of line loss thru long length wires barely capable of the rated amps in just a foot long wire. Having 12V DC in a vehicle/RV battery system is why you need a much larger diameter wire to avoid so much loss all the way from the alternator final output connection all the way to the batteries.
Larger wires carry more amps/volts with considerably less resistance loss! Simple, you don't use a 13 amp 16 gauge extension cord in your home to run a 15 or more amp draw load unless you want a fire to extinguish. So why do it in your RV's 12 V DC charging system with wires that can't transport the electrons wanted? Also not smart to use 1/4" ID diameter hose to a rainbird sprinkler and expect it to bring enough water to make the rainbird do its job!
This IS the right answer from MrWizard and along with the tow vehicle/vehicle alternator's amperage output available. Can't get the needed amps to the batteries either unless the alternator produces them! Then the biggie, a wiring circuit's wires diameter determines how many amps it will or can carry thru it and the smallest diameter wire or connection at any point in the entire circiut is an acting CHOKE which controls how many amps get thru.
That is why I have #2 gauge fine strand copper welder cable going from my dual alternators all the way back to the battery bank in the 5th wheel with 80 amp marine slow blow fuses and a slide switch under the tow vehicle hood and a marine very HDbarrel switch on the 5th wheel. 12V DC has lots of line loss thru long length wires barely capable of the rated amps in just a foot long wire. Having 12V DC in a vehicle/RV battery system is why you need a much larger diameter wire to avoid so much loss all the way from the alternator final output connection all the way to the batteries.
Larger wires carry more amps/volts with considerably less resistance loss! Simple, you don't use a 13 amp 16 gauge extension cord in your home to run a 15 or more amp draw load unless you want a fire to extinguish. So why do it in your RV's 12 V DC charging system with wires that can't transport the electrons wanted? Also not smart to use 1/4" ID diameter hose to a rainbird sprinkler and expect it to bring enough water to make the rainbird do its job!
