Time to charge a bank of 8 6v batteries using a generator

Acei wrote:

Adding to this picture, what happens if I add NINE 160w solar panels? Can I still use the same components?

What do you mean by can you use the same components?

The Honda 3000 like mine can run about 130amps of non-PF corrected chargers, but can run maybe 160 amps of PF corrected chargers.

The 150amp charger in the fancy inverter chargers is usually PF corrected, so that would work.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Although those Magnum inverter/chargers are expensive, looks like an elegant solution. I only found a model called MS4448PAE which appears to be equivalent to what was mentioned above and each cost about $2200.

Adding to this picture, what happens if I add NINE 160w solar panels? Can I still use the same components?

My daily usage is expected to be around 370Ah (I realize it is a lot) and obviously, those panels isn't enough to cover my usage hence I'm going to be using a generator during the day. I'm thinking a quiet Honda 3kw generator - it appears to be the quietest generator at this rated level. I cannot keep the generator on 24/7 and shorter time the better.

4 6-cell banks are going to have the ability to absorb several hundred amperes of controlled charge rate. BFL's chart is reality. So is listening to and babysitting a generator for hour after hour. I would be skittish about generator noise and neighbors.

I would choose a 3,000 watt Honda because of the low noise factor. Purchase a 100 amp -minimum- size charger. If that ends up satisfying you, great. If it charges too slow for your taste purchase a 2nd one.

Other than 12 volt battery banks are great for use with inverters and solar homes but an RV requires 12 volts - a lot of it.

The inevitable question: Why so many batteries?

You get diminishing returns from going up in charger amps, but with 8 batteries that won't be an issue unless you use multiple 100ampers :)

The charging amps a generator can run depends on the VA rating of the gen, not its named watts size. A Honda 3000 does 2800 VA. Also chargers can be non-Power Factor corrected or corrected. The generator can run more amps with a power- factor corrected charger drawing the same VA.

Ok, so here are some times using various size chargers on two batts so just multiply those times by four to get your eight batt times.

( You double the time with the same amps if you double the battery bank size; but you do not halve the time by doubling the amps on the same battery bank--that is the diminishing returns part of this)

all depends on budget I guess, how much do you have to spend on the "right" generator and converter?

if money's no object, wire them as a 48 volt system and run a pair of Magnum 4248 hybrid inverter chargers ... 250 amps at 48 volts (typ), run a small 30 amp 12v converter off the inverter for your 12v loads, or get a DC-DC converter.

alternately, you could use 2 or 4 standard 100 amp 12v converters, I think some of the nicer ones let you slave them together, with a control panel to force them into absorb mode

edit: forgot the time ... the magnum solution should recharge your bank from dead to full in about an hour, provided you can supply 30+ amps AC to the chargers. going the converter route 2-4 hours depending on how many converters you use and how well they parallel together.