How often do you use your portable generator?

dadwolf2 wrote:

DiploStrat wrote:

skipro3 wrote:


Just to remind folks;
Every inch of this circuit needs to be the large gauge wire. From alternator through to your battery posts, or else you won't get the full current potential to rapid charge your batteries. That means bypassing the factory pigtail since it is a smaller gauge wire, and using a plug that is capable of large current loads at 12 volts DC.

Amen, and just to be pedantic:

-- I would recommend that you connect the camper batteries to the starter battery(s), not directly to the alternator(s). Buffers any surges that way.

-- Scholars debate, but I believe that the cable(s) must be fused at each end, as close to each battery as possible. You don't want a 20 foot arc welder under your truck should the cable short for any reason.

Could you provide any pictures of an installation? And are you running a ground wire all the way to the battery too? Assuming a diesel truck with dual batteries, are you running wires to one battery or both or? Not sure I follow have two fuses, one at each end of the cable? You really think it will change the outcome that much?

As often happens, (especially in the Tech forum) a tangent occurs in a thread that might better be served by starting a new thread, as this topic is very interesting. It could be great with it's own subject line. Then this post can return to the OP's original topic, which too is interesting;

"How often do you use a generator."

b