Generator use...

jauguston wrote:
The critical numbers in the specs you posted for your converter are 12a AC input and 55a DC output. A EU 1000 will NOT power that converter.

Jim

In the event he has a WFCO 8955 that never gets into bulk charge mode, yes, in that particular circumstance only, the Honda EU1000i will run that charge controller, because it rarely, if ever gets into bulk charge mode or bulk charge voltage, it is stuck in absorption or float modes and voltages/amps. Which is why those folks camping without hookups come here and ask questions. Most units are not set up for the type of battery charging requirements needed to go dry camping or boondocking, where generator run time being minimized is the goal, while quickly charging the batteries back up.

That requires a more fully functional 3 or 4 stage battery charger that actually has all functions working correctly.

The critical numbers in the specs you posted for your converter are 12a AC input and 55a DC output. A EU 1000 will NOT power that converter.

Jim

96Tony wrote:
Yes the converter in my TT is a WFCO.

Here are the specs on the tag;
Panel Input.........120Vac 60Hz, 30A
Converter Input.....105-130Vac 60Hz, 12A, 950W
Converter Output....13.6VDC, 55A

And here are the outputs from the manual;
Absorbtion Mode: 13.6Vdc
Bulk Mode: 14.4Vdc
Float Mode: 13.2Vdc

I picked up a Honda EM500 for a low price, but it sounds like that may not be big enough to plug into the TT WFCO, right?
(Plus, it is probably a bit too noisy for my liking...)

I can borrow a Honda EU1000 from my brother. Will that generator bring my 12v true deep cycle battery from 50% up to (almost) 100% twice as quick as the EM500, hooking them up directly to a smart battery charger?

Sorry for such basic questions, I really struggle with this topic!

A Honda EU1000i and a Progressive Dynamics PD 9245 will bring your battery from a 50% to a 90% charge very quickly at 14.4V bulk voltage charge rate. If you wish to get closer to 100% state, a 30 amp Iota with the plug in wire loop will put out 14.8V, and probably get you more to 95-96%.

It takes, for the batteries you most likely are using, a full 15.0V and a bit of time running the generator to get to 100%, and is generally not worth the burn of additional fuel to get it there... so most weekend warriors are happy getting to 90% to 95% charge over the weekend, and then give them the full 100% charge when you get back home and before you store the batteries away for the next trip, disconnected.

Yes the converter in my TT is a WFCO.

Here are the specs on the tag;
Panel Input.........120Vac 60Hz, 30A
Converter Input.....105-130Vac 60Hz, 12A, 950W
Converter Output....13.6VDC, 55A

And here are the outputs from the manual;
Absorbtion Mode: 13.6Vdc
Bulk Mode: 14.4Vdc
Float Mode: 13.2Vdc

I picked up a Honda EM500 for a low price, but it sounds like that may not be big enough to plug into the TT WFCO, right?
(Plus, it is probably a bit too noisy for my liking...)

I can borrow a Honda EU1000 from my brother. Will that generator bring my 12v true deep cycle battery from 50% up to (almost) 100% twice as quick as the EM500, hooking them up directly to a smart battery charger?

Sorry for such basic questions, I really struggle with this topic!

The answer to your question depends on the size of the converter in your RV. I use a EU 1000 to charge batteries in my coach and have used it in two previous RV's. It will power a 40a converter but nothing bigger. For example I have a Iota 45a converter that I tried and the 1000 would NOT power it.

The converter/inverter in our present coach can be adjusted for AC draw and DC output so I usually set the AC max draw at 5a and DC output to 30a and the 1000 doesn't have to run flat out and is nice and quiet.

You have a multi stage converter.
Warm up genset, plug your trailer in.
Leave the ECO off.
No need to use a separate charger.
The EM 500 may not have enough wattage.

Sandia Man, are you saying that I could plug the TT cord AND my smart charger into the Honda generator?
This will speed up the charging process, and possibly boost my true deep cycle up to a full charge?

Plug shorepower cord directly to generator utilizing your onboard converter for battery charging since charging circuits contained within many generators are woefully inadequate. It appears your rig has a WFCO converter that has the issue of not going into bulk charging mode, a black & decker 40 amp smart-charger would be a good investment and could be used in conjunction with your converter to dramatically speed up the charging process.

Best shot with a Honda 1000 is 40 amps and ~14.4 volts.
Portable I recommend the Black and Decker 40 amp.
We don't know your converter to compare.
EM500 you may need to run that B&D at 20 amps.

96Tony wrote:
Is the best way to use a Honda 1000 generator to just plug the trailer cord into it?
Or, should I use a battery charger and go directly to the battery?

Would the answer be the same for a Honda EM500 generator?

The best thing to do is warm up your Eu1000i generator motor first. Then get a Mega Watt 30 amp Power supply unit, and tie it in directly with 8 gauge wire directly to your batteries. Set the voltage on the power supply unit at 15.0V and run the Mega watt on a timer. Maybe an hour maybe an hour and a half, depends on how many amp hours your battery set is, and how low a charge is still left in it. It will run the little Honda pretty hard at first, make sure it is in regular mode, not eco mode, when you first turn the power supply unit on. 10 or 15 minutes, and you should be able to turn the generator back into "Eco" mode and save some fuel.