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swimmer_spe's avatar
swimmer_spe
Explorer
Jun 04, 2023

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.
  • Need to determine the charge rate of your converter. Many have converters rated around 35 ampere output. This in many cases is not sufficient. Adding a separate battery charger isn't going to help much as the normal safe charge is around 10 amperes.
    While boondocking refer should be set on auto. When genset is running, the refer would run off 120-volts AC.
    1000-watt generator maybe a little small.
    My thinking changing the converter to say a 50-ampere output would help.
  • 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.