Advice on deep cycle setup?

JohnnyGood wrote:
Also - side question - If I wanted to use a generator to re-charge the battery, would I need a charger (or some other intermediary component) as well?

Anyone have generator rec's off the top of your head (lighter use / lower budget)?

L

L;

Good that you are doing well.

The genny is used to run a separate 110V powered charger. Some gennies come with a 12V outlet that is unacceptable for charging. What you want is called a deck mount charger where the charge lines are hardwired. I recommend at least 50A. You won't find high Amps in a portable charger where you use alligator clamps. Power Factor Correction(PFC) is desirable and a Battery Temperature Sensor(BTS) cable would also be good but not as important during Bulk/Boost charging. I do use BTS cabled to the neg battery post. I have a 50A inverter/charger.

Your objective is to get the Lifeline up to 80% charged as quickly as possible and let the solar finish. This charging stage may be called Bulk or Boost. Another goal is to keep genny run time shorter and save fuel and your time devoted to this(babysitting).

There are several lower cost but feature rich inverter gennies. I use a Yamaha 2000 inverter type that is one of the quieter ones but it was not lower cost. I would wait and see if others have recs.

If you do this solar/genny stuff first, you might want to try it out before installing the alternator. Your 4g wires might be used as lines between the existing alternator and battery. I use smaller 6g with my OEM 105A. Of course, I have up to 15A from the solar and a 50A inverter/charger.

Great project! I wish I could have a free do-over.

HTH;
John