Charging batteries with a small generator

[swimmer_spe]

I have been given a 1000w generator for free. If I am boondocking on 1 or 2 12v batteries how long should I run the generator? The trailer has n electric only fridge.

[swimmer_spe]

Tvov wrote:

Bobbo wrote:

Tvov wrote:
You should be able to camp for days on one battery with a gas refrig.

My experience is that you can get one night per battery. When I camped with one battery, I had to recharge every day. When I upped that to two batteries, I only had to recharge every other day. (Solar greatly extended that however. Later, much later.)

We camp for a weekend regularly on one 12v battery, Friday to Monday. But... we are really careful with it. About the only things the battery is running is the electronics for the frig (gas frig), water pump, and that's about it. We use camping lanterns in the camper, take "Navy" showers, use lights very sparingly.

With y old trailer that had a gas fridge, it could last about that long too.

[Tvov]

Bobbo wrote:

Tvov wrote:
You should be able to camp for days on one battery with a gas refrig.

My experience is that you can get one night per battery. When I camped with one battery, I had to recharge every day. When I upped that to two batteries, I only had to recharge every other day. (Solar greatly extended that however. Later, much later.)

We camp for a weekend regularly on one 12v battery, Friday to Monday. But... we are really careful with it. About the only things the battery is running is the electronics for the frig (gas frig), water pump, and that's about it. We use camping lanterns in the camper, take "Navy" showers, use lights very sparingly.

[Grit_dog]

You’ll never need bigger than that 1kw to run your converter/charger. But it won’t run the AC or microwave.
Lob the second battery in there and go hunting!
Run the genny as long as you need to. You’ll figure out how long you need to run it. We can’t figure that out for you and there’s no need. It’ll be fine as long as you have a way to charge the batteries.
As your question is very basic, a few things to keep in mind.
Conserve LP gas and power in general. It’s not an apartment. Keep heat off or very low when you’re not needing it (including dealing with freezing temps if that will happen).
Chain up the generator or someone else will have a free generator….
Why not test it in the driveway? So many questions here could be answered if a person didn’t go to the internet first to ask questions that don’t have succinct answers rather than just trying it out.

Trying to help….

[swimmer_spe]

Boomerweps wrote:
First, Electric only fridge? 110vac or 12vdc?
There are a lot of 12vdc powered or controlled items in your camper. The converter makes 12vdc from the AC power (shore power or generator) for those items and to charge the battery.
Most people with 12vdc refrigerators find that having two batteries is almost a necessity to insure uninterrupted service when other power is not available in a 24 hour period.
I see there appears to be a big push to have small factory solar power systems installed to keep the batteries topped off with the 12vdc fridges. You might consider adding some solar.
Another issue is that normal lead acid batteries can only be run down 50% to prevent long term damage to the cells. IMO, it’s worth the expense to change to a LiFePO4 battery that can be run down to 0% without damage. And can be had in large power capacity. Just changing out the same capacity LA battery with a Lithium is DOUBLING your usable amps. (Bonus, they weigh 50% less, too.)

It is a 12 v fridge.
I do have plans to upgrade the batteries and add solar at some point. Currently, there is only one battery on it, which it came with when I bought it in the fall. I have an extra battery that is 1 year older. I will be putting that second battery on in the near future. In a few years, I'll be upgrading the solar system by adding more panels (that will be a different thread.) when it comes time to replace the batteries, I plan to replace them with Lithium or whatever is the best at the time I get them. I was just given this 1000w generator for free, so I figure I will use it till I can do the upgrades, including a bigger generator.

[swimmer_spe]

valhalla360 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:

swimmer_spe wrote:
OP here.

If while the generator is running, I turn off the fridge (pulling the fuse if need be) would that give me a better charge?

If the generator is able to power both the fridge and the converter (rv speak for battery charger) then shutting off the fridge will make no difference except for a tiny bit more fuel used.

Assuming it's a 12v fridge, the generator will only see the battery charger load.

It is a 12 v fridge.

[swimmer_spe]

Tvov wrote:
Is there any way you can get a gas refrig installed? Seems like that would make everything easier. You should be able to camp for days on one battery with a gas refrig.

Speaking of which - what about heating the camper? If you have an onboard forced air gas heater, the blower can use more power than you might think. If you have an electric heater - your battery may not last the night.

Cannot switch out the fridge.
Furnace is forced gas.

[Boomerweps]

First, Electric only fridge? 110vac or 12vdc?
There are a lot of 12vdc powered or controlled items in your camper. The converter makes 12vdc from the AC power (shore power or generator) for those items and to charge the battery.
Most people with 12vdc refrigerators find that having two batteries is almost a necessity to insure uninterrupted service when other power is not available in a 24 hour period.
I see there appears to be a big push to have small factory solar power systems installed to keep the batteries topped off with the 12vdc fridges. You might consider adding some solar.
Another issue is that normal lead acid batteries can only be run down 50% to prevent long term damage to the cells. IMO, it’s worth the expense to change to a LiFePO4 battery that can be run down to 0% without damage. And can be had in large power capacity. Just changing out the same capacity LA battery with a Lithium is DOUBLING your usable amps. (Bonus, they weigh 50% less, too.)

[valhalla360]

pianotuna wrote:

swimmer_spe wrote:
OP here.

If while the generator is running, I turn off the fridge (pulling the fuse if need be) would that give me a better charge?

If the generator is able to power both the fridge and the converter (rv speak for battery charger) then shutting off the fridge will make no difference except for a tiny bit more fuel used.

Assuming it's a 12v fridge, the generator will only see the battery charger load.

[Bobbo]

Tvov wrote:
You should be able to camp for days on one battery with a gas refrig.

My experience is that you can get one night per battery. When I camped with one battery, I had to recharge every day. When I upped that to two batteries, I only had to recharge every other day. (Solar greatly extended that however. Later, much later.)

[Tvov]

Is there any way you can get a gas refrig installed? Seems like that would make everything easier. You should be able to camp for days on one battery with a gas refrig.

Speaking of which - what about heating the camper? If you have an onboard forced air gas heater, the blower can use more power than you might think. If you have an electric heater - your battery may not last the night.

[pianotuna]

swimmer_spe wrote:
OP here.

If while the generator is running, I turn off the fridge (pulling the fuse if need be) would that give me a better charge?

If the generator is able to power both the fridge and the converter (rv speak for battery charger) then shutting off the fridge will make no difference except for a tiny bit more fuel used.

[swimmer_spe]

Matt_Colie wrote:
Swimmer,
You have a wonderful collection of inadequate information for your responses.
First problem: Lead Acid Flooded batteries can be charged to about 90% State of Charge (SOC) in a couple of hours depending on the battery temperature. That last 10% takes most of five hours and can't happen faster without the heat damaging the battery.
Second problem: That 1000w generator is about 60 amps at 13.5V (for a 12V system). Your electric refrigeration is probably about 120W (about 10 amps) on a duty cycle that is related to temperature and use. So, it will suffice and larger generator won't get you any advantage.
Third problem: Will you be able to run the generator all the time you need where you are going? Many places have quiet hours.

My guess based on my experience is that if you run the generator at least 12 hours a day, you should be able to survive.
You gave us no clue what the reefer is or what your house bank is, and it does not make a huge difference.

If you know more, come back and we can probably get you a better answer.

I plan on using it when hunting on crown land. So, if need be, it can be run nonstop.My plan is to fire it up when we get up, and leave it running till we get back from hunting.

[Matt_Colie]

Swimmer,
You have a wonderful collection of inadequate information for your responses.
First problem: Lead Acid Flooded batteries can be charged to about 90% State of Charge (SOC) in a couple of hours depending on the battery temperature. That last 10% takes most of five hours and can't happen faster without the heat damaging the battery.
Second problem: That 1000w generator is about 60 amps at 13.5V (for a 12V system). Your electric refrigeration is probably about 120W (about 10 amps) on a duty cycle that is related to temperature and use. So, it will suffice and larger generator won't get you any advantage.
Third problem: Will you be able to run the generator all the time you need where you are going? Many places have quiet hours.

My guess based on my experience is that if you run the generator at least 12 hours a day, you should be able to survive.
You gave us no clue what the reefer is or what your house bank is, and it does not make a huge difference.

If you know more, come back and we can probably get you a better answer.

[swimmer_spe]

OP here.

If while the generator is running, I turn off the fridge (pulling the fuse if need be) would that give me a better charge?