Charge Batteries by Idling Tow Vehicle?
This may be a dumb question, but since every tow vehicle has a generator which is connected to the batteries and they charge while driving, how about hooking up and charging at the campsite while idli...
Forum Discussion
landyacht318 wrote:
Idling to recharge is wasteful.
But, If one employs thick copper between distant battery and alternator, 50 to 80% can be achieved fairly quickly, IF the alternator can output 60+ amps at Idle without damage from overheating, and If the voltage regulator is seeking mid 14's instead of 13.6v. 80% to 100% takes hours no matter what.
Lots of 'If's' up there.
Use a 500 amp winch connector and 2awg cable, disconnect when camping, no Diode/isolator/solenoid required:
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I was able to get 100+ amps at idle into a single group31 50% depleted lifeline AGM battery through 2awg cable, that 500 amp winch connector and about 25 feet total circuit length from alternator to Lifeline's posts.
The '160 amp' alternator quickly heated to 220F and output then maxed out at 86 amps while voltage was still in the mid 13's, indicating the battery could have accepted higher amps.
WyoTraveler wrote:old guy wrote:
at a lot of star parties in Oregon the forest service controls the use of generators. so many do charge their batteries by running the tow vehicles. no other way to do it on the years that genns are not allowed
Think that is differnt though. When I had a TT and was dry camping I would turn my truck around and charge my house batteries using jumper cables directly to the battery in the PU in the morning before I got a solar panel.
If you REALLY want to commit to this as plan “B” or plan "C" for battery charging or a DC high amp source for a large inverter, MEX has already provided the best solution. The fuel cost of using the TV as a power source is bwtn .5-.75 gal per hour.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26303825/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28015670.cfm
I'm currently building one and will report on it this coming summer.
