Naio wrote:
@SoundGuy:
I don't know much about car and truck engines. What risks am I running by charging this way? I am talking about 7 days in 6 months, about 4 hours per day, sometimes less. Lengthy discussion in another thread left me with the impression that, as long as the engine does not get over-hot and I do not run down the chassis battery, it is ok. Is that wrong?
Sorry, I wouldn't claim to be an expert on the subject and I'm certainly no more qualified than some others who have already commented in detail in
that other discussion you referred to as to why they thought that using your one and only way home for recharging your trailer batteries isn't a good idea. I would however add that to me it's just common sense that how much or how little you expect to subject your vehicle's electrical system to a load for it was never designed to deal with in the first place isn't sufficient justification for doing it anyway. That to me is no different than someone else rationalizing towing way over their vehicle limits because they're "only going 50 miles" ... the truck doesn't know how far it's going and whether it's going 5 miles, 50 miles, or 500 miles it's still subjected to a task for which it was never intended and would therefore also be subject to premature failure. Why this should be such a surprise to some is a mystery. :@
I'm leaning towards solar, but might just start with another battery, first. I am cheap... and I don't really want another system to maintain, solar OR generator.
My question in response would be - what makes you any different than the rest of us? I too would prefer the simples, least costly method of recharging my batteries but having examined all the possible options I still come up with the same conclusion - a mid-size, relatively "quiet", inverter genset that consumes a minimal amount of fuel, works anywhere at anytime regardless of the weather conditions, and will no doubt out live me. Judging from that aforementioned discussion initiated by
lawrosa and many others like it that I've read over the years you're obviously not alone in thinking you can somehow bend the rules, using your vehicle's electrical system for a task for which it was never designed. I look at it this way - if doing so was such a proven and reliable method then why are all those who really
are experts in the field of lead acid battery technology not recommending it, why are there also then not legions of other RV owners already doing it, and why haven't manufacturers like Honda, Yamaha, Champion, et al totally given up trying to supply the RV market with gensets that will easily do the job you're asking? :@ Perhaps you and others like
lawrosa have stumbled on to a secret the rest of the world doesn't know about ... but I doubt it. ;)
