Relocating the battery charger help
Last summer I replaced my WFCO charger for a Powermax Boondocker PM4B-75 MBA. At the same time, I replaced the single group 24 battery with (2) 6v gf (from Batteries plus) so I have 230AH which I can use 50% of that (~115AH).
However, as others on the forum have noted, I don't get as much of a "recharge" from the generator(s) as I expected (or wanted). I have 2 Champion 2000W (1600w continuous load) inverter generators with parallel kit if needed. I don't mind throwing more money at the RV and replace the charger (whether it be smart or not) IF I knew which one to get. If it's not a "smart" charger, I would need some schooling on how to operate it.
Based upon the pages and pages of reading that I've done on this forum, one of the 1st things for me to do is to move the "new" Boondocker as close to the batteries as reasonably possible.
My current setup:
- (2) 6v gf batteries on the tongue. I have room for 2 more if needed (or required) to make the Boondocker work better.
- Converter/charging is roughly 17+/- feet away from the batteries with a **** load of connections along the way.
- The battery cables that are in use are what the factory installed. I don't know wire sizing so I don't know what mine is though I gather it's way undersized.
I can:
- move the charger closer to the batteries but they'll still be 4-6 feet apart. This is because the wires need to go down through the floor and then back up to the batteries.
- Use the largest wire that will fit the Boondocker (I believe that's 2 gauge).
This is where I get lost ...
- To power the charger, can I make a 120VAC run from the original chargers location (kind of like and extension cord) so it's on the same circuit breaker in the distribution box?
- Do I add a fuse between the charger and batteries on the new 2 gauge wire? If yes, what kind/size/etc?
- I assume I need to get 12VDC power back to the distribution box. How do I do this? Can I use the existing undersized factory battery cables that are already there or do I need to go much bigger?
I really can't get the charger any closer, without putting it in a waterproof box outside. Should I see a big improvement doing this?
Thanks for any help,
However, as others on the forum have noted, I don't get as much of a "recharge" from the generator(s) as I expected (or wanted). I have 2 Champion 2000W (1600w continuous load) inverter generators with parallel kit if needed. I don't mind throwing more money at the RV and replace the charger (whether it be smart or not) IF I knew which one to get. If it's not a "smart" charger, I would need some schooling on how to operate it.
Based upon the pages and pages of reading that I've done on this forum, one of the 1st things for me to do is to move the "new" Boondocker as close to the batteries as reasonably possible.
My current setup:
- (2) 6v gf batteries on the tongue. I have room for 2 more if needed (or required) to make the Boondocker work better.
- Converter/charging is roughly 17+/- feet away from the batteries with a **** load of connections along the way.
- The battery cables that are in use are what the factory installed. I don't know wire sizing so I don't know what mine is though I gather it's way undersized.
I can:
- move the charger closer to the batteries but they'll still be 4-6 feet apart. This is because the wires need to go down through the floor and then back up to the batteries.
- Use the largest wire that will fit the Boondocker (I believe that's 2 gauge).
This is where I get lost ...
- To power the charger, can I make a 120VAC run from the original chargers location (kind of like and extension cord) so it's on the same circuit breaker in the distribution box?
- Do I add a fuse between the charger and batteries on the new 2 gauge wire? If yes, what kind/size/etc?
- I assume I need to get 12VDC power back to the distribution box. How do I do this? Can I use the existing undersized factory battery cables that are already there or do I need to go much bigger?
I really can't get the charger any closer, without putting it in a waterproof box outside. Should I see a big improvement doing this?
Thanks for any help,
![](http://i.imgur.com/4q0tB6zl.jpg"width=450")
