Charging camper batteries with generator?

I can't think of any reason to use the "12v output" from a generator. It's very low amperage, not regulated, and not very well filtered. It's put there as a marketing gimmick. Don't bother using it.

GeoBoy wrote:
An air cooled engine, such as the Honda engine used on the Honda generator, reaches operating temperature in 90 seconds.

Then I suggest running it for 90 seconds.

I found my factory charger in Fleetwood a lousy one.
The 2001 model is not smart, so it delivers voltage that will boil the batteries dry in long storage, but it goes into overheat very fast.
When I had discharged batteries, even in only 85F the charger would run for a minute, than overheat would kill it for several minutes and than another minute of charging. So after 2 hr of generator run my batteries were still low.
For such incidents I am carrying smart charger with 25 amp continuous charge.
The 12V charging circuits some generators have supposebly delivers "dirty" power, so I would not use it. Worth checking with manufacturer as technology changes and hopefully new generators have it improved.

2oldman wrote:

fitznj wrote:
Plug the shore power cord into the generator; Turn generator on.... done

I think it's better to run the generator first for a bit, then plug in. Or better yet, plug in and then have a way to switch on the converter.

Don't really want to have a cold generator start up with a load on it, and charging can be a big load.

An air cooled engine, such as the Honda engine used on the Honda generator, reaches operating temperature in 90 seconds.

I plug in a separate 120v converter/charger to charge the battery direct.

Plug in because the TC onboard charger will do a better job charging and has less chance for a mistake.

Fully charging your deep cycle batteries should be done daily but using a generator for this is terribly wasteful the further you get into the absorption phase. It takes hours. Solar is much easier, very efficient and QUIET!

I charge via a smart charger and my Honda generator and watch some movies while it's charging...

fitznj wrote:
Plug the shore power cord into the generator; Turn generator on.... done

I think it's better to run the generator first for a bit, then plug in. Or better yet, plug in and then have a way to switch on the converter.

Don't really want to have a cold generator start up with a load on it, and charging can be a big load.

Plug the shore power cord into the generator; Turn generator on.... done


(I have a voltmeter hooked directly at the batteries so can see what is going on)