I am still a little green with the RV world. I needed to replace my batteries on a 1983 travel trailer. I had room and decided to go with a set of 210 amp hour 6 volt batteries from Costco. They are set up in a series (Thanks Dad!). I will be visiting both Yosemite and the Grand Canyon this year and will have 3 nights at each location where I will have no hookups.I do have a 1600 W Generator (WEN 56200i) from Amazon. My plan is to use my generator to recharge my batteries and run mainly off battery power. I don't have a microwave or coffee maker so no need for the 120 volts that I can foresee.I am trying to figure out at what voltage on my multi meter should I start recharging my batteries off of my generator and when should I stop using the generator to charge my batteries. I have an old school converter (not a 3 stage) so I know I am going to be doing some damage to the batteries but I want to not discharge too far or overcharge if possible.Also, I am hoping to run the propane furnace with furnace fan at night. Do you foresee that being a problem with running my 210 amp hour batteries down too far?I don't think I will need Air Conditioning but if so, I only have a small Window Unit that is 360 Watts so I should have enough juice to run off the Generator.Thanks for your input and I appreciate you helping me with my learning curve.

Everything you need to know about 12 VDCTo answer you question specifically, see the charging table. Start charging at 11.9 and stop at 12.7.On the A/C, it's not the running current, but the compressor starting current. The 1600 W genny should be able to handle that if it's the only thing running.

Upgrade the converter to something like a progressive dynamics that will go to 14.4 volts or one of the models that may go up to 14.8 volts. You will basically consider 12 volts as being time to recharge but you may want to charge before that if you have limitations on generator hours. The converter will go into float at 13.2 volts when the charge is complete.

Yes under light load you should be recharging as the battery hits 12.3 to 12.0 range. The lower it gets the higher the urgency. You will be restricted in Yosemite on generator run time. Best to start 2 to 4 hours before quite time.To reduce generator run time consider replacing your converter with a PD9260-14.8http://www.bestconverter.com/9200-148-Volt-Deck-Mount_c_227.htmlUnless of course you already have something pretty good. Or if Dad has a portable 25+ amp portable charger to put direct on the battery would also work well.

I like to recharge at about 12.2, and run the generator for 30 minutes, wait to see what you get up to. It's easier to get up to 12.5, then quit. Nobody likes to hear a generator going for hours, but a little bit each day is much easier on your neighbors. Your batteries will likely last a few days, but a little every day is just fine.It's also well worth it to record the voltage a little after you arrive, and then keep a chart to see how it drains away, and how it fills back up again from the generator.

rjxj wrote:Upgrade the converterx2, and forget about harming your batteries.JoyNoelle wrote:Also, I am hoping to run the propane furnace with furnace fan at night. Do you foresee that being a problem with running my 210 amp hour batteries down too far?That depends on how cold it is, how cold your batteries are, how well they're charged, and how warm you like it. Easy huh?Generally, you can make it a night with 2 batteries. Some experience will tell you what to expect.

Help me understand my 6 volt batteries | Good Sam Community

azrving
Explorer
Apr 11, 2017
That genius charger is 7.2 amps. you will be charging for days. I would upgrade the converter far before I would buy those types of chargers. If you want a real battery charger you may have to look at something like Quick Charge corporation but I paid $400.00 for a 50 amp model which weighs 36 pounds.
JoyNoelle
Explorer
Apr 11, 2017
I have two links from Amazon. Are these what I am looking for in an external charger if I am not going to change out the converter

Stanley Charger

Genius Charger

If I use an external charger, will I am assuming I hook up the Generator to the charger to charge the batteries instead of hooking up the trailer to the generator. If I do hook up the trailer to the Generator do I need to worry about the old converter that I have not replaced doing damage to the batteries.

How long does it take an external charger to top off batteries that have not gone lower than 50%. Is there a way to find that figure?

Again, thanks for the help!
Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 11, 2017
No just wire the new charger/converter in place of the old one.
When you plug the generator into your camper it will charge through that.
Your dad can do it! Lol. Only 25 things now.....
I was able to run the furnace in the truck camper for almost a whole night, running almost constantly. It was cold out though. Single digits maybe. 2 old 12V batteries. Maybe half the capacity you got.
JoyNoelle
Explorer
Apr 11, 2017
I haven't looked at external chargers before. What should I be looking at for an external charger? Is the set up charger hooked to generator directly. Do I avoid hoozing up the trailer to the generator directly so the converter is never in play?
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Apr 11, 2017
rjxj wrote:
Upgrade the converter to something like a progressive dynamics that will go to 14.4 volts or one of the models that may go up to 14.8 volts.

CONCUR !

Using the 12v outlet off of the generator is a bad idea. Get a good automatic charger or replacement converter charger. It will be worth the money.
DrewE
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2017
JoyNoelle wrote:
Thanks for the help...I hear everyone that replacing the converter may be the way to go but my list of things to get done before my national park trip is already 26 items long. (just finished replacing all the vents and sealing the roof this weekend).

How hard is it to replace a converter. Is it simply finding it in the trailer, and moving the wires from the old converter to the new converter? Anything I should watch for?

That's pretty much the extent of converter replacement. Difficulties tend to be things like the wires needing to go to the "wrong" side of the new converter, trying to fit a three inch tall unit in a two and a half inch space, etc. Sometimes things can be a little more involved with some old converters that had odd switching arrangements for 12V circuits, but you probably don't have one that old. (If you do, you'll gain even more by replacing it.)

Often, but certainly not always, the converter is mounted in the same chassis as the electrical distribution panel. There's a good chance you could locate your current one by listening for its hum. There's also a good chance that it doesn't make much if any noise.

Do take care to connect things up with the proper polarity, and if you're installing a deck mount converter, don't neglect to connect a proper chassis ground bonding wire to a metal part of the trailer chassis. Those sorts of details should be covered in the documentation that comes with the converter.

I would suggest buying through bestconverter.com and asking them any questions you have. They're very knowledgable and willing to help their customers out. They also have pretty good prices. (I don't have any affiliation with them, save having been a satisfied customer.)
oldokie
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
leave your converter like it is and buy a deck mount unit for battery charging. You can install it as close to the battery as is safe and use large cable to help with the charging time needed to get back up to a safe range.
Crazy_Ray
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
Mike running genny f0r 30 minutes does you nothing
JoyNoelle
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
Thanks for the help...I hear everyone that replacing the converter may be the way to go but my list of things to get done before my national park trip is already 26 items long. (just finished replacing all the vents and sealing the roof this weekend).

How hard is it to replace a converter. Is it simply finding it in the trailer, and moving the wires from the old converter to the new converter? Anything I should watch for?

This is a project trailer but I have decided to learn on an old beast so when I buy my first newer nicer Motor home in 5-7 years I know what to look for.
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2017
rjxj wrote:
Upgrade the converter
x2, and forget about harming your batteries.
JoyNoelle wrote:
Also, I am hoping to run the propane furnace with furnace fan at night. Do you foresee that being a problem with running my 210 amp hour batteries down too far?
That depends on how cold it is, how cold your batteries are, how well they're charged, and how warm you like it. Easy huh?

Generally, you can make it a night with 2 batteries. Some experience will tell you what to expect.