Getting ready for our 1st boondock weekend

[dockmasterdave]

I have 2 new Wally world marine "deep cycle" with about 80 amp hour reserve. I expect running a few lights, tv and a box fan for sleeping, I'll get them down to 12.0 to 12.2 volts overnight.
I'd like to run my 2000 watt inverter gen in the am to recharge.
TT has a Wfco 45 amp charger. I'm guessing about 3 to recharge.
What does everyone else think ?
I'm testing the power consumption now.
Is there a calculator for this ? Should I just be testing voltage or do I need to check specific gravity ?
Thanks for any insight, it really is appreciated.

[dockmasterdave]

Gordon three. I totally agree. Almost everything I can upgrade or improve has been done.
Faucets, tires to Maxxis, added a side mount truck tool box to the tongue, turned the booth dinette into a couch, added fold up counter extension, stove cover, sink cover, put a plexi cover over the tub.
I am just about at the end of what can be done to this TT.
If we trade up, I have to start all over again.
I guess it's kinda like a house, by the time I get done improving it, I have to start again. 🙂

[GordonThree]

Everything in your RV can be upgraded to something better. From the batteries and charging, to the lighting, the faucet fixtures, tires, suspension, the list goes on.

You've got everything needed for a fun weekend.

[time2roll]

If you already have a 10+ amp portable use it. If you get bored with that in time look to replace the converter.

If spending money I would replace the converter.
You can get a good PowerMax bolt-in replacement (for WFCO 8900 series) for $105 shipped.

https://www.amazon.com/Powermax-PM3-35-MBA

[mbopp]

I added a stand-alone deck-mount IOTA-55 converter to supplement the WFCO when we dry camp & charge off a generator. It's mounted in the pass-through & there's a 4' run to the batteries.

[dave17352]

Either will work but changing out the converter charger will be easy and will take good care of your batteries. If you have easy access a hour or so is all it takes and they are only about 100 to 150 bucks for a good one. I have changed three with no problems. I have bought a couple from bestconverter.com. You can call and he will give you all the advice you need and a fair price on what you need. JMHO Many here have shopped with him.

[dockmasterdave]

Thank you for all the answers, I am getting closer.
I don't feel the WFCO is doing it's job properly. I let it charge both batteries for 10 hrs and am only showing 13.2 at the post, charger on.
Last night, with both batteries at 12.3 I turned on the converter and voltage was creeping up, and only got to about 13.2.
Once, several years ago, on a single battery, I saw it hit 14.4 for a short time. Other than that, it always reads 13.6.
I see progressive dynamics has a direct replacement for about $175.
I'm not just looking to spend $ but don't want to cook a pair of new batteries, or run them down too far, by using the WFCO.
I know this is basically a different question but, should I be looking at a better charger, or just supplement with an aftermarket 10 amp?

[Matt_Colie]

Boy Dave,
I am not sure where to start here.

Your batteries are not "80 Amp hour reserve". They might be 80AH or they might be 80 minute reserve. In any case, the are good for about 40AH each except that they are in parallel. If they are both charged to full density (why you might want a refractometer or a hydrometer) but in parallel, it will be very difficult to get them back to full. They are also not Deep Cycle. The are marine "Mixed Use" and if they serve you well, then that is good.

Your WFCO converter is probably not a "smart" unit and if it peaks at 13.6 (you do need a meter - even a Hazard Fright will do) then it will take a day to recover your pair of Grp 27 marine batteries if they get to 12.0. If it does do a 14.4 bulk charge, it will still take 6~8 hours to get to 95%. That is just a fact of chemistry.

If you go out on Friday night and return Sunday afternoon, as long as what you need stays working, how much do you care?

Matt

[DSteiner51]

dockmasterdave wrote:
I have 2 new Wally world marine "deep cycle" with about 80 amp hour reserve. I expect running a few lights, tv and a box fan for sleeping, I'll get them down to 12.0 to 12.2 volts overnight.
I'd like to run my 2000 watt inverter gen in the am to recharge.
TT has a Wfco 45 amp charger. I'm guessing about 3 to recharge.
What does everyone else think ?
I'm testing the power consumption now.
Is there a calculator for this ? Should I just be testing voltage or do I need to check specific gravity ?
Thanks for any insight, it really is appreciated.

I think some folks over think things just so they can have something to worry about. I love boondocking on weekends. I too have two Walmart quality batteries as I have a cpap to run all nite. I use a 400 watt inverter to run it and recharge my iPad/iPhone batteries. I run my inverter genny during mealtimes so I have use of the microwave or any 110 appliance I may need. Also charges the house batteries so come nite time they are ready for a good nites sleep with the cpap. It is only a weekend, fri thru sun, occasionally thurs thru sun so I don’t worry about bringing my batteries to full charge.

If they are down to 10.5 volts Sunday morning... big deal, I’m going home. The inverter quits operating at 10 volts and beeps an alarm. They can recharge during the breakfast, lunch genny session, more on the drive home and when I get home it gets plugged into shore power. Last set of batteries lasted over 8 years operating that way contrary to what the “experts” claimed.

I start the weekend with a full 50 gallons of fresh water and using water saving techniques I don’t think I’ve ever run out in a weekend although I have run out on week or plus trips. The black and gray tanks hold considerably more then the 50 gallons the fresh tank holds so no problem there either. Empty when I get home.

Just go do it! Have fun! Enjoy the sounds of nature! The sound of bees buzzing, birds singing, fish feeding, frogs, peepers, the rustle of rabbits crawling thru weeds, and even the occasional coyote. There will be plenty of time to worry about whatever you want to worry about when you get home.

[bikendan]

dockmasterdave wrote:
I have 2 new Wally world marine "deep cycle" with about 80 amp hour reserve. I expect running a few lights, tv and a box fan for sleeping, I'll get them down to 12.0 to 12.2 volts overnight.
I'd like to run my 2000 watt inverter gen in the am to recharge.
TT has a Wfco 45 amp charger. I'm guessing about 3 to recharge.
What does everyone else think ?
I'm testing the power consumption now.
Is there a calculator for this ? Should I just be testing voltage or do I need to check specific gravity ?
Thanks for any insight, it really is appreciated.

you've got the power section taken care of.

but how are you going to deal with fresh and gray water?
do you have an inverter installed to recharge electronic devices and run the tv?

since we normally dry camp, we have a blue tote tank for gray water, a 6 gallon FW container to shuttle water and a 400w inverter for the electronic devices.

[time2roll]

tragusa3 wrote:
If I may piggy-back a quick question here: As suggested above, if using a portable charger, is it okay to hook it directly to the battery and plug the trailer in too?

I've been disconnecting my battery completely from the trailer and charging with my 40amp portable. Is there no need for the unhooking?

Slap it on and let it rip.

Although I would disconnect to use the equalization or recondition modes. Regular charging is not an issue.

[tragusa3]

If I may piggy-back a quick question here: As suggested above, if using a portable charger, is it okay to hook it directly to the battery and plug the trailer in too?

I've been disconnecting my battery completely from the trailer and charging with my 40amp portable. Is there no need for the unhooking?

[theoldwizard1]

There is definitely room to "upgrade" your equipment, but I certainly would not be concerned about it for a weekend. As matter of fact, you are probably good for many weekend excursions.

Probably the first upgrade would be a better battery charger, either stand alone or built into a converter or inverter.

[old_guy]

you can always get an automotive type 15 amp or larger, charger and use it to fast charge your batteries.

[time2roll]

WFCO notoriously charges at 13.6 trickle volts instead of the claimed 14.4 boost voltage. 3 to 6+ hours to get close to 90% charged. Bring your voltmeter to verify what is actually happening. Couple hours in the morning, again at noon for an hour and then a couple hours into the evening might serve better than an extended morning charge.

Any chance you have a portable 10+ amp charger to bring along? Or borrow one?
Just put it direct on the battery and get it started. Then plug in the main cord to get some from the WFCO too. No need to disconnect anything.

If voltage does steadily climb to 14.2+ volts on the battery... continue one more hour and call it done.

Post a trip report 😉