theoldwizard1 wrote:
ktmrfs wrote:
is there a way to enable a high idle on the MH? something on the order of 1200 rpm or so. If so, you may be able to get more out of the alternator, higher voltage and more current. Alternators are rated for max output at a fairly high rpm, well above engine idle.
1200 rpm should sufficient for close to maximum output.
Buy a clamp style meter like this one Clamp it on the output wire of the alternator, then turn on all the lights, wipers, etc. and see what it reads. Check the voltage at engine battery. Check the voltage at the house battery. I guarantee you the voltage at the house battery is NOT higher than the engine battery and that is probably INADEQUATE to fully recharge the hose battery, even after hours of driving.
Just to clarify, for me any alternator charging however much, is just to get us by for an extra day or two off grid with no gen and poor solar intake. If needed at all.
20AH a day from alternator charging for five days is 100AH, so that is like having two more batteries at 100AH each drawn down to 50%.
Proper battery recharging to True Full then happens once back home after the five days, where shore power and lots of time to get it all done right exist.
Another scenario is to do a bit of alternator charging in the morning and then let solar do the rest, where there isn't enough solar time to get it all done that day according to the forecast.
So alternator charging in the Class C is more like having a very small generator with a 5er and being able to get at least something done but not much. Scenario is everything of course.
EDIT--BTW I have posted details of using an inverter on the truck battery to run a battery charger where you can have long 120v wire and short fat 12v wire. You do hit a limit on charger amps out when the truck voltage starts to fall off from 14ish. That tells you what you can do. Of course the inverter has to be big enough to run that battery charger. It does work. BTDT. (See posts from 2011 when I did that and reported here how it went) Only good for when parked of course, no good while driving around :)
