Battery-generator-charging upgrades?
This year will be our longest boondocking trip to date 7-10 days and want to upgrade our camper for this trip. I'd appreciate some suggestions and feedback to make sure we spend our limited budget wis...
Forum Discussion
mordecai81 wrote:
We use a Champion 3100 and a Xantrex Truecharge2 20amp to charge a USBattery 155 amp 12 volt for our boondocking trips. The Champion isn't loud enough to bug your neighbors, unless they're right on top of you (I've asked many of them and have never had anyone complain). A 70-95 charge takes 2 1/2 hours daily. We also use a Wave 3 to keep the chill away to save amps and because I can't stand the furnace fan kicking on/off at night.
I'm sort of liking this separate charger. Do I need to disconnect the onboard converter when using the Xantrex?
I guess I'm trying to figure out how to connect it and have these questions.
1. Do I disconnect the house charger from the battery to use the Xantrex, and HOW do I do that while still having the battery connected to supply power to the camper without 120v connected? Does it use separate wires?
2. Do I connect the Xantrex to an outlet in the camper and use that to supply its power? Same question about disconnecting the onboard charger.
3. If I have to disconnect the onboard charger and use the Xantrex, will the onboard converter still filter and regulate the charge, or will I start blowing out my un-regulated 12v LED lights?
4. Will it hurt the onboard converter to operate on the generator without a battery being connected? If so, I could put a big battery switch inline to "select" either Xantrex or onboard systems (that would power the onboard 12v systems)
I like the idea of a dedicated charging system, but doesn't the onboard system also supply 12v (converter portion) to the coach?
If a big 9200 system is "the answer" to charge quickly, maintain good battery health, and is automatic as they come, I'll spend the money.
If not, I'd rather spend on something to charge and maintain the batteries properly.
It sure would be easier if the WFCO's would just PERFORM as they are listed and claim. I don't want to get bit buying another underperforming system to replace the underperforming system in there now ;)
I'm ready to order something in the next day or three and appreciate everyone taking the time to rehash this subject for this new camper.
BTW, I don't mind adding a 50 amp connection, or likely a "dedicated" 20 amp cord to supplement our service, if needed.
