Charging the batts__Less noise to get the job done.

[Old___Slow]

Without solar;

Lots of 1000i/2000i inverters on the market. If I am correct, they output about 400w on econo (low noise). How much 12v charging can be accomplished with just 400w ?

[mena661]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi mena,

Is your rv diesel? If so you might want to consider a Kipor diesel inverter genny. They are 4500 watts.

No it's gas. The built-in is an Onan 5.5kW gas genny. I have no need for a 2nd generator, I barely use this one as is.

[pianotuna]

Hi mena,

Is your rv diesel? If so you might want to consider a Kipor diesel inverter genny. They are 4500 watts.

[Old___Slow]

HiTech wrote:
I'd love to do wind one day but check out the noise ratings. Many windmills generate quite a racket once the wind speed gets up a little.

Jim

I think I can say "I've seen the light." Without hearing the noise and suffering defeat. This thread has opened my Old eyes. Need all the help I can get and found it here. BLF13 and Mr. HiTech are aweesome leaders in the area of my interest. Anyway, I will not waste any moldy stuff on small wind energy.

Mr Wiz sparked my interest first. Now with Mr.Wiz and my two new leaders, I should be a winner. I do like that.

Looking forward to more input from all who Grace RV.Net with great info' coming from all.

This is like a learning channel.

And a special thanks to Mena for some great help and tips.

It's a great day, today, at the forum.:C

O&S
Floyd

[mena661]

BFL13 wrote:
O&S, wind turbines are not quiet. They also have problems in areas where there is wind sheer (southern Texas being notorious for that I'm told), that can suddenly wreck them.

X2, the smaller one's are not quiet at all.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Another solution is a 2k generator mated with a Magnum 3k hybrid inverter. The inverter will draw from the battery bank for start up surges.

For battery charging the solar solution works extremely well. Many folks have abandoned using generators if they are weekend warriors.

X3, if I didn't have built in or two A/C units, this would be the hot ticket. Pricey but very techie.

HiTech wrote:
x2 Don a smaller genet to charge batteries that can parallel with a big inverter is a very slick solution.

Jim

Pair up a Yamaha EF2400 with a Powermax Boondocker 100 amp converter. Or my favorite, Yamaha EF4500 with two Boondocker 100's.

[HiTech]

x2 Don a smaller genet to charge batteries that can parallel with a big inverter is a very slick solution.

Jim

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Another solution is a 2k generator mated with a Magnum 3k hybrid inverter. The inverter will draw from the battery bank for start up surges.

For battery charging the solar solution works extremely well. Many folks have abandoned using generators if they are weekend warriors.

Old & Slow wrote:



This thread should be read by onyone wanting info' on which way to go needing to charge the batts. My thought of the smaller 1000i gen beng the most ideal, is shot dead. Now, I see more clearly. The 1000i is not the best choice. ~ Then, there is the 2000i, it's not such a wise choice either. To small to operate most Microwaves and the A/C. So, BLF13 seems to have gotton it RIGHT. Go with the brand and size that will more or less do it all and be finished.

So, Solar is needed with a good batt bank, then the gen also must be the most quiet.

Side note: looking into WIND energy also. Let's go all the way as silent as possible.

O&S
Floyd

[BFL13]

O&S, wind turbines are not quiet. They also have problems in areas where there is wind sheer (southern Texas being notorious for that I'm told), that can suddenly wreck them.

[HiTech]

I'd love to do wind one day but check out the noise ratings. Many windmills generate quite a racket once the wind speed gets up a little.

Jim

[Old___Slow]

BFL13 wrote:
The Honda on eco is less noise than when running full, but the way the eco works is that the engine revs up as needed to run the load, so it can be just as loud as with the eco turned off, depending.

Even so, the Honda at full revs is very quiet compared with those low cost generators.

Now define "less noise." You can have a high amp charger that wants more watts (VA really) for the first stage of charging, then amps taper, with the Honda getting quieter as amps taper. The louder part at first being short in time depending on the battery bank size and initial SOC just how short.

Or, you can go with a low amp charger that runs a long time to do the recharge but at a quieter sound level the whole time.

I use a Honda 3000i on eco with my 100 amp PowerMax converter and the gen does not make much noise over idle when doing the 100 amps.

Which raises another idea that the bigger size gen will stay closer to idle on eco than the smaller gen with the same load? So you might choose the 2000 instead of the 1000 even if the 1000 can handle it. I do not have any idea how much difference in noise there would be in that example though.

This thread should be read by onyone wanting info' on which way to go needing to charge the batts. My thought of the smaller 1000i gen beng the most ideal, is shot dead. Now, I see more clearly. The 1000i is not the best choice. ~ Then, there is the 2000i, it's not such a wise choice either. To small to operate most Microwaves and the A/C. So, BLF13 seems to have gotton it RIGHT. Go with the brand and size that will more or less do it all and be finished.

So, Solar is needed with a good batt bank, then the gen also must be the most quiet.

Side note: looking into WIND energy also. Let's go all the way as silent as possible.

O&S
Floyd

[Old___Slow]

crcr wrote:

pnichols wrote:

crcr wrote:
I seen those EX650 gens come up on ebay from time to time. Do you know what year they quit producing them? What do they weigh? What is it, 650 watts output? Thanks.

You probably missed my 2nd post earlier where I provided a link to a chart comparing the specifications on a lot of the older small Honda constant speed generators. As you've found out, many of these good old 3600 RPM Hondas can be had for a song with plenty of good camping years still left in them.

Here's the link again:

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

I'm not sure when they stopped producing the EX650 - around the late 1990's, or 2000, I think. I also was recently given a Honda EX1000 in like new condition and I'll use it outside around our residence instead of in the RV because of it's 64 dB noise level - too high for battery charging when camping. I'll keep the little EX650 (it's at least 25 years old) in the RV for it's ultra-quiet sound level of 54dB.

I have nothing against solar, but I think it should only be part of the total power mix for a well-equipped self-contained RV. Here's what I think are two very flexible setups for RV power generation in all conditions (in addition to a large battery bank and an inverter or two):

A) The next best setup - portable solar panels (not on the roof), small quiet generator for battery charging when the sun can't do it, large quiet-as-you-can-afford generator for hot weather/high humidity air conditioning.

B) The best setup - portable solar panels (not on the roof), fuel cells for battery charging when the sun can't do it, large quiet-as-you-can-afford generator for hot weather/high humidity air conditioning.

The reason I'm a fan of portable solar panels is that you can move them into the sun if you're fortunate enough to be able to park the RV in the shade and/or if you're paranoid (like me) about not having any more holes in the roof than what you already have. I also don't care for how roof mounted solar panels restrict access on the roof ... I want to be able to crawl all around up there to wax it, make modifications, and repair/inspect stuff.

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Thanks for the info and link on the EX650. Interesting unit.

Here's some pics of my 120 watt folding panel, and the custom padded suitcase I made to protect it when traveling. This panel is very sturdy, has a HD aluminum frame and built in handle, that I use to padlock it to a HD cable so it doesn't find a new neighborhood. It hits 7 amps production at higher elevations of about 7000 ft. I also have no roof panels, as I park in the shade as much as possible, so I use this. I have considered adding a panel or two to the roof, but am undecided about that.

I also have a Honda eu2000i genset, and am considering buying another so I could parallel them to run the AC. I pick these up used locally for $600-650 by waiting and watching and being the first to respond on craigslist local.

This was one fine post. I started this thread having in mind to perhaps find the right solution for my quest. The above post seems to say it all for me, thanks to the poster.

Recently I have bought several (one MPPT and one PWM controllar) and One 24v/120w PV panel, as a project, to perhaps increase the distance for my e/scooter. Wonder if I can travel from Texas to CA. the place of my birth. Just a dream DW will tell you. Well, they did this last week in flight! Solar, my RV folks.

The 24v/120w panel I have from solarblvd.com is 58" x 26" 26# and will possibly make the little Pride Pro Traveler 24v, top heavy. Can't located something a little smaller, like 25" x 48" The scooter has some rear small wheels that might could be extented. Anyway the idea was to have some sun shade for old baldy and some sun energy for the batts.
CA. here I come. With my little solar scoot, that will be a hoot for,

Old and Slow
Floyd


PS:
I've now found Hitech and hopefully will follow his thread on to Victory.

[HiTech]

Yeah tiny and ever more expensive, but cheap and high wattage compared to the fold out, and they do really well not dropping output under considerable heating as the day goes on.

Jim

[mena661]

HiTech wrote:
Yes. I have not peeled mine yet. So I just unroll them and place them in he sun.

Jim

If those things came in a 200W version, I'd ROLL with them. 🙂

[HiTech]

Yes. I have not peeled mine yet. So I just unroll them and place them in he sun.

Jim

[pianotuna]

Hi crcr,

Who does a warranty protect?

If a fridge is purchased to keep items cool and there is no warranty--then it must work forever. If on the other hand the maker offers a warranty of 3 years--then it only has to last 3 years plus one day,

If you were the manufacturer which business model would you pick?