Pulled the trigger on my 12V system
About 6 weeks ago, I noticed (with my inexpensive 12V meter mounted in the face of the kitchen counter) that my converter wasn't charging above 12.5V when plugged in to shore power (it had always been...
Forum Discussion
Getting your GC-2 batteries back to 100% charge in an hour sounds impressive. I'd want to see the specific gravity of each battery cell, when you bought it, when you arrived at camp after driving to camp, and first thing in the morning after all the TV, heater, Dish TV and converter activity, then after your recharge with the generator, for an hour.
You are looking for 1.275 for your specific gravity, or better, for 100% state of charge. You might want to confirm that with a good Freas #1 Hydrometer reading. I suspect that if you are under 1.275, you are not fully charged. Generators and3or 4 stage charge convertors are pretty good at getting you charged to 90% charge in an hour, but it takes a long long time with a generator to get that last 10% to get to fully charged. Generators are not good, efficiency, fuel or time wise at getting in that last 10% state of charge.
You need that last 10% charged and in those batteries, before putting the batteries away for storage, or doing a 16V equalize cycle every 10 -14 days of camping off the grid.
Or, you get a solar panel and a good adjustable charge controller for it, to top you off to full 100%, after the generator, first thing in the morning. Solar panel has all day to get it topped off, but keep in mind, your system, just running the CO meter and propane fridge, burns .75 to 1 amp an hour, every hour. Have to account for that too, charging with solar.
You are looking for 1.275 for your specific gravity, or better, for 100% state of charge. You might want to confirm that with a good Freas #1 Hydrometer reading. I suspect that if you are under 1.275, you are not fully charged. Generators and3or 4 stage charge convertors are pretty good at getting you charged to 90% charge in an hour, but it takes a long long time with a generator to get that last 10% to get to fully charged. Generators are not good, efficiency, fuel or time wise at getting in that last 10% state of charge.
You need that last 10% charged and in those batteries, before putting the batteries away for storage, or doing a 16V equalize cycle every 10 -14 days of camping off the grid.
Or, you get a solar panel and a good adjustable charge controller for it, to top you off to full 100%, after the generator, first thing in the morning. Solar panel has all day to get it topped off, but keep in mind, your system, just running the CO meter and propane fridge, burns .75 to 1 amp an hour, every hour. Have to account for that too, charging with solar.
