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
Tow charging can be formulated so it makes a lot of sense all the way to needing a straight jacket and rubber room.
What matters 99% of the issue is how many amperes does the tow vehicle make available at the towed vehicle's batteries. If you are attempting to charge a pair of 27's or 3-cell batteries and your vehicle and jumpers can not deliver a big number of amperes at idle, then charging that way is a waste of time and money.
Here's an ideal setup:
A tow vehicle with a HAIRPIN alternator that has an idling potential of total charge acceptance of the batteries. This means a 200 amp or greater hairpin alternator that idles dead slow at 500 engine RPM and can deliver 115 amperes. Not many tow vehicles have factory hairpin alternators - they are relatively new on the scene.
A pair of jumper cables with COPPER wire at least 4 gauge in diameter. At 100 amps 2 gauge is better yet.
Every generator-less motorhome not pulling a toad is every bit as vulnerable as a tow vehicle as far as "getting stranded". At least with a tow vehicle the hood can be raised, which will help to cool any alternator.
A marginal tow vehicle charging system coupled with garbage grade jumper-cables quickly jerks the idea of tow vehicle charging, into the "dumb idea" side of the issue.
For most, a more rational way out would be to get a 1,500 watt generator, and configure a 36-amp Megawatt to do the battery charging. It would make a lot more sense.
What matters 99% of the issue is how many amperes does the tow vehicle make available at the towed vehicle's batteries. If you are attempting to charge a pair of 27's or 3-cell batteries and your vehicle and jumpers can not deliver a big number of amperes at idle, then charging that way is a waste of time and money.
Here's an ideal setup:
A tow vehicle with a HAIRPIN alternator that has an idling potential of total charge acceptance of the batteries. This means a 200 amp or greater hairpin alternator that idles dead slow at 500 engine RPM and can deliver 115 amperes. Not many tow vehicles have factory hairpin alternators - they are relatively new on the scene.
A pair of jumper cables with COPPER wire at least 4 gauge in diameter. At 100 amps 2 gauge is better yet.
Every generator-less motorhome not pulling a toad is every bit as vulnerable as a tow vehicle as far as "getting stranded". At least with a tow vehicle the hood can be raised, which will help to cool any alternator.
A marginal tow vehicle charging system coupled with garbage grade jumper-cables quickly jerks the idea of tow vehicle charging, into the "dumb idea" side of the issue.
For most, a more rational way out would be to get a 1,500 watt generator, and configure a 36-amp Megawatt to do the battery charging. It would make a lot more sense.
