Battery Life and Low Temps

jrnymn7 wrote:
I encourage you set aside your dogmatic beliefs, and consider the facts. But hey, it's your money to burn.

I'll bet you're missing my whole point by getting hung up on/with the old genney I have. (BTW, parts for it are still available -> I put some in it around 2 years ago. My particular little genny can be found used for $150-$250.)

Here's the blunt point, whether a newbie camper or an oldie camper: There is an alternative to a large variable speed generator or solar setup for charging of RV batteries. How about a modern little tiny (hence quiet) generator, that mimics solar charging times, but can charge in any weather at any outside temperatures with or without the sun?

The problem is finding a little tiny but quiet-at-full-power generator these days - which seems to be a market sector that the manufacturers have abandoned. If/when my little Honda finally gives up the ghost, I'd still replace it with the smallest, quietest new model available. The current smallest Honda, Yamaha, or Champion variable RPM inverter models might be ideal - THAT IS IF the power per hour that one needs to draw from them over 5-6 hours for battery charging will allow them to operate at low enough RPM so as to remain around a 47dB-54dB noise level. Of course, using AGM or lithium RV batteries will make a small generator approach a bit faster on recharge times.

Now, if you can only bring one generator along camping for also powering larger appliances/items, then of course one must do the best they can by buying a modern large variable-RPM generator and doing one of two things to charge batteries with it - run it short and loud to pump a bunch of current into the battery(ies) or run it long and quiet to dribble a bunch of current into the battery(ies).

IMHO, the ultimate battery charging setup to have in an RV, backing up portable solar capability - would be a propane powered automatic on-demand fuel cell system. I know of no affordable setup like this suitable for RVs ... yet.