Charging batteries with a small generator
I have been given a 1000w generator for free. If I am boondocking on 1 or 2 12v batteries how long should I run the generator? The trailer has n electric only fridge.
Forum Discussion
Boon Docker wrote:
Until the batteries are fully charged. :B
With that small genny and electric fridge plus other power usage, I would say the genny needs to run most of the day.
If you want the battery truly at 100%, yeah you will need to run it all day but really a waste of time and gas. As lead acid batteries near full, they will accept fewer and fewer amps, so the last 10-15% takes many hours. Pretty much no one boondocking will use a generator to get to 100%. Just get it up to 80-90% and call it good.
Getting up to 80-90% should only take 2-3hours if putting in 30-40amps in the bulk charge phase.
If you really want to try for 100%, get something like a 100w solar panel. Run the generator for 2-3 hours in the morning and then let the solar slowly top up the batteries over the rest of the day.
