Charging 2 Interstate Batteries through 45 amp converter

[Rettrooper]

Does anyone here have any experience charging their batteries with a Honda EX 1000 (non inverter) generator? I'd like to try it while dry camping for a week at the Sun & Fun fly in next month in Lakeland, Fl. I'd like to run the Honda sometime during the day while it's plugged into the TC and charged with the on board 45amp converted/charger (new)and charge my batteries (two new Interstate Group 29's). I tried looking up this topic in the search engine and couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. I have an on board Onan LP that I'd really not want to use for this purpose.

Looking for some real world experience.

Thanks,

Mark

[MM49]

NinerBikes wrote:

MM49 wrote:
The OP

To realize the beauty of the Honda 1000i you need to adjust the pilot screw. I had to buy a new screw after breaking the anti-tamper screw. The Honda truly won't run right at 1000' elevation with the stock settings. The mechanics of the job is difficult, but the adjustment is very insensitive due the jet well configuration of the carb.
MM49

I'm right at 980 ft ASL, and my Eu1000i runs fine, without ever tampering with the anti tamper pilot screw. They shouldn't need any tampering with, out of the box, new. If you left fuel stored in it and the jets got varnished up from cr*p in your gas, that's another matter. Clean the carb up, completely, degunk it, and it should run just fine with the stock settings.

This is a typical explanation. My carb was never gummed up and cleaning, both chemical and physical methods didn't work. The generator surged from the first day. My adjustment fixed the problem. I know that there are many out there with the same problem. Even generator of different colors.
MM49

[pnichols]

NinerBikes wrote:
I wouldn't complain about an EX650's weight being 51 pounds if it was given to me, free.

I suspect that part of an EX650's heavy weight is cause for it's outstanding low-noise performance. i.e. Good insulation and a heavy vibration-fighting metal structure. It's cabinet casing is even metal. They can be bought used in fully running condition for low bucks. Our EX650 is at least 25 years old and still going strong!

[NinerBikes]

MM49 wrote:
The OP

To realize the beauty of the Honda 1000i you need to adjust the pilot screw. I had to buy a new screw after breaking the anti-tamper screw. The Honda truly won't run right at 1000' elevation with the stock settings. The mechanics of the job is difficult, but the adjustment is very insensitive due the jet well configuration of the carb.
MM49

I'm right at 980 ft ASL, and my Eu1000i runs fine, without ever tampering with the anti tamper pilot screw. They shouldn't need any tampering with, out of the box, new. If you left fuel stored in it and the jets got varnished up from cr*p in your gas, that's another matter. Clean the carb up, completely, degunk it, and it should run just fine with the stock settings.

[MM49]

The OP

To realize the beauty of the Honda 1000i you need to adjust the pilot screw. I had to buy a new screw after breaking the anti-tamper screw. The Honda truly won't run right at 1000' elevation with the stock settings. The mechanics of the job is difficult, but the adjustment is very insensitive due the jet well configuration of the carb.
MM49

[NinerBikes]

I wouldn't complain about an EX650's weight being 51 pounds if it was given to me, free.

But I would if I was paying for it, compared to a used Eu1000i at 29 pounds and 900 watts rated, vs 550 watts for the 51 pounder. 48 pounds will get you a Honda Eu2000i, if you need the added watts and amps.

[pnichols]

Rettrooper wrote:
Does anyone here have any experience charging their batteries with a Honda EX 1000 (non inverter) generator? I'd like to try it while dry camping for a week at the Sun & Fun fly in next month in Lakeland, Fl. I'd like to run the Honda sometime during the day while it's plugged into the TC and charged with the on board 45amp converted/charger (new)and charge my batteries (two new Interstate Group 29's). I tried looking up this topic in the search engine and couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. I have an on board Onan LP that I'd really not want to use for this purpose.

Looking for some real world experience.

Thanks,

I've been charging our two 100 amp hour Group 29 12 volt RV batteries with a non-inverter Honda EX650 feeding the RV's stock 45 amp single voltage converter for about eight years. The Honda EX650 handles the job just fine. You don't need one of the newer Honda "inverter" generators to do this.

We also have a non-inverter Honda EX1000 in pristine condition but I don't carry it in the RV - only the EX650. The EX650 is quieter and lighter than the EX1000, so we're continuing to use the EX650 in the RV instead of our EX1000, since the EX650 will handle our battery charging just fine.

Below is a link to the specs on Honda's discontinued small portable four stroke 3600 RPM fixed speed generators, including the EX650 and the EX1000. Notice that the EX650's full fixed speed noise level is 54dB, while the EX1000's full fixed speed noise level is 64dB. That's a big difference. The newer Honda 1000i and 2000i inverter generators idle at a 53dB noise level ... only slightly quieter than the EX650's noise level at it's full fixed speed and power. The newer Honda 1000i/2000i inverter generators run at a noise level of 59dB when called upon to deliver full power. I've listened to several of the Honda inverter generators when they have rev'd up to deliver higher power ... and they are irritatingly loud. Most folks must think the Honda inverter generators are "so quiet" because they're apparently being mostly used at their low power idle sound level of 53dB or close to it. I actually consider the litte EX650 to be, on average day after day under all power delivery conditions, much quieter than the newer Honda inverter generators.

Here's the link to their specifications:

http://www.tappedin.com/hop/html/litegen.htm

[NinerBikes]

OP, tell us what brand of 45 amp charge controller came stock in your new camper. It may have a huge effect on charging time and how much you have to run the generator. You can probably find it in the paperwork that came with your camper.

Try looking for a WFCO owners manual in there. If it is indeed a WFCO, then you might consider wanting to upgrade it to something that makes more efficient use of the generators gas consumption and run time. WFCO's are good at being in full hook up campgrounds to maintain the battery, they are not good at recharging while boondocking or dry camping. Many manufacturers install them because they are cheap /inexpensive.

Also tell us about your battery /batteries in your camper... are they group 24 or group 27 and how many amp hours are they rated at at 20 hour specs. 75, 85, 100?

[wa8yxm]

Two Group 29s 200 amp hours total (roughly) times 0.3 = 60 amps max charging rate. So that 45 amp converter.. Good choice The Honda 1,000 can do it.
If the batteries are half full then you will need about 2.5 hours to get 'em to 90 percent (There is some loss in the process) and at about 4 hours to finish them off if I recall correctly.. NOTE: that 4 hours part.. if you had a 60 amp converter and a 2,000 watt Generator, it would still be 4 hours.

If you had a 60 amp converter (That is about the max for the honda) you'd gain about 30 minutes in recharge time is all, Not worth the added cost.

PLUS.. with the 45 amp converter you have a few watts left over if you want to watch TV or listen to radio. or type on computer.

[Rettrooper]

mena661 wrote:
Nice rig BTW, I REALLY like those.

Eagle Cap 1160.


Thank you, we do too!

[mena661]

Nice rig BTW, I REALLY like those.

[Rettrooper]

Thank you to all that took the time to reply and answer my question. I know some of you were looking for more information about my converter/charger. I am sorry that I could not supply you with that information because my camper is currently buried in the snow, covered with the slides in and it's not accessible right now. I just know it's brand new and the charger is a 45 amp one. We are leaving in a month for the airshow. I know the camping area has generator run times, but they are not as restrictive enough that I won't be able charge the batteries in several hours. Ya, wish we had put solar panels on it before we headed out, that'll be for after we return. Going to try the ole EX 1000 just for charging.

Mark

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Running the generator 2-hour a day should replace 50 amp hours mas o menos in the 2 batteries, 30 amp hours each. This is a 30% discharged, state. Batteries do not like too much amperage (high voltage) when mostly charged 75% or greater. If you use less than 50 amp hours a day, you might want to consider charging every 2nd day. Of course this means interpreting what 50 amp hours means by your instrumentation. I am thinking of the fuel/cost/logistics issue.

[doughere]

I had a POS 2 cycle 1000 watt gen that did just fine with my PD9245 into two GC-2 batteries. Different batteries, but roughly the same capacity.

Assuming you have the pendant(if not, you should get one) you can lower the output if the initial charge is too much for your gen (it would be for only a few minutes on a very low battery). In that my POS did the job with no strain, you should be fine.

Regards,
Doug

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Try your way first. If it works, fine. If it doesn't re-post your complaint here, including a TON of details, about time, how the batteries and charger reacts and anything else you may find useful. The only pragmatic way to do what you're doing is incrementally. Overkill wastes money, underkill wastes money.