Tow vehicle charging RV batteries
How slow is it? Is there a mod you can do to make it charge quicker? I was watching a video where some ppl that like to boondock said the alternator doesn't charge the batteries on your RV very qui...
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theoldwizard1 wrote:Seon wrote:
As a backup I carry a 12v charger powered by a 2K generator.
The 12VDC output on most of today's generators does a poor job of recharging a lead acid battery. You are better off plugging in a AC battery charger.
I presume he meant a generator putting out 120v AC power a dedicated charger outputting 12v.
Charging with the truck has a few major limitations:
- Wiring is too small and voltage drop limits both the voltage and amperage that gets to the battery. You can run what are effectively battery cables back to the batteries but 30-40ft of good quality battery cable ain't cheap.
- Multiple connections are prone to corrosion or just general poor connection, so they often don't work well.
- Standard alternators are designed to put out their rated amperage for a few minutes to replace the short but high amp draw from starting the motor. After that they tend to drop way back. You can buy specialty alternators that put out more amps but again, not cheap.
A couple hundred watts of solar is a much cheaper solution and if you are stationary, it still feeds the batteries.
