chilly81 wrote:
I've been reading some seemingly conflicting information about how you should use a small generator to charge a camper's batteries... just hoping to clarify.
PD9140 Converter (40amps@13.6 from 600W 120v A/C - (5 amps))
w/Charge Wizard (14.4v@30+amps to 90%, then 13.6v.... then 13.2v).
Honda EU1000i (Rated 7.5amps@120v. Not sure about DC rating)
So as I see it, the Honda will provide as much juice as the converter would be able to pull off of shore power anyway. So is it as simple as just plugging my converter/RV into the Honda for the few hours it should take to get to 90%. Then just turn it off when the charge wizard indicates it's in the slower charge mode - as it's probably diminishing returns w/r to generator run time (many hours for the last 10% if I understand right).
Or is there a better way to do it with DC?
don't know of a better way, but the PD9140 actually draws close to 7A with full output. Long explanation, but the short version is it is about 80% efficient and not a resistive load to the generator so it will draw near 7A load.
but yes, once you get near 85% capacity, your at diminshing returns on the time it takes to get that last 15% of charge into the battery.
