Can I charge batteries with a charger and generator?

[monicarick01]

I have an on-board generator and was wondering if it was possible to hook up a battery charger to the trailer, while the generator was running and use any "extra" power that the generator produced to help charge the batteries?? I have a smaller battery charger 12v/6amp.

thanks for looking

[pianotuna]

Hi

Welcome to the forums.

A built in generator usually powers the converter (which is more or less a fancy word for battery charger) in an RV.

You could add the 6 amp charger to increase the speed of recharging.

Do you know the make and model of the converter? And of the generator?

[jmcgsd]

Does your battery recharge while on shore power? If so the TT has a built in charger. Just connect your trailer to the generator and your battery will recharge.

It may take a while depending on how big you battery bank is and how far down they are. Also while charging the load on the genny could be 300-500 watts so you may not be able to run appliances such as the microwave.

I have a Honda eu2000i and an external 30A charger for my AGM battery. When the charger is running full tilt if my microwave starts it will trip the overload on the Honda. For me it's no big deal, I just yank the charger plug til we're done with the microwave. On a built in charger it would be a pain.

[TucsonJim]

Yes, it will work as you describe.