Charging RV batteries with EU1000i and Charge Wizard

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.

Hi,

The converter with wizard does "look" at the battery voltage when first plugging in. It may start at 14.4 volts if that voltage is too low. However, once it starts at 14.4 in four hours it will drop back to 13.6. That is why I called it more of a timer than a sensor.

If recharging is needed from a genny it is more effective to "force" the 14.4 voltage.

The generator is more reliable until you run out of gas. My system does 7 amps at solar noon in leafy shade. If I did not use the inverter I would never run out of electricity.

That's great to hear it should work well and I don't need to buy anything more.

@Pianotuna - I got the opposite impression of the Charge Wizard - that it was sensing. When I first plugged it in, my batteries weren't too far down and it went straight into the 13.6v mode. Not 100% sure though... the documentation seems to indicate that too, but isn't really explicit. I have yet to go through an actual full cycle to test it though.

I do have 200W of solar - but I like more private sites and they are often not solar friendly (wooded, etc) so I want the flexibility.

Because a generator is much more dependable than solar.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,
.

That size generator is really only good for battery charging--so why not skip the noise and jump to a solar system?

Hi,

Since you have the wizard, you can "force" another 14.4 volt charge session after 4 hours. I believe the wizard is more of a "timer" not a "sensor". I.E. it does not drop to 13.6 when the batteries reach a certain state of charge.

That size generator is really only good for battery charging--so why not skip the noise and jump to a solar system?

That is what I do every morning at 8AM using my 2KW Honda Eu2000i when allowed to run my generator when camping off the power grid.

This powers up my POPUP trailer using a RV30A-15A Adapter and plugging in the trailer shore power cable directly to the generator receptacle.

Of course I could just plug my PD9260C directly into the generator receptacle but its nice sometimes to have all my other receptacles in the POPUP powered powered up while I am charging my batteries and maybe can run a few other 120VAC things while we are making breakfast. This is when I make my grind and brew coffee for the day also..

If your battery has been discharged to its 50% charge state then it will take right at three hours of running your generator to get your battery back up to its 90% charge state. This is assuming your are using your smart mode converter/charger unit.

This is only reason I run my generator - to charge up my battery bank...

Roy Ken

That's what I do with the same set up.

chilly81 wrote:
is it as simple as just plugging my converter/RV into the Honda for the few hours it should take to get to 90%.Or is there a better way to do it with DC?

Yes. No.