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 ?

[Old___Slow]

pnichols wrote:

Old & Slow wrote:
In favor of the Honda 1000i, the pioneer of box building (he lives I think, in Oak Harbor WA) built a box for the Honda 1000i and put hundreds of hours on it with no heating problems. It purred like a real kitten. So I know the air flow was fine for the Honda.

I guess I should disclose my full current situation regarding portable Honda generators: Just this past Sunday my brother gave me outright a Honda EX1000 (900 watts continuous) red generator. It's in immaculate like-new condition with maybe two hours run-time on it with all of it's shiny tools still in it's built-in tool box. Since it's sound level is 64dB - too loud for RV camping if used as is - maybe I should find out what the pioneer of box building did for a 1000i and duplicate it for my "new" EX1000. Perhaps I can get my EX1000's apparent sound level down into that superlative and magical no-generator-sound-for-all-practical-purposes realm of where a Honda EU3000iS is (at 1/4 of it's rated load) - 49dB!

FWIW, here's a specifications comparison chart link for most of the good old Honda 3600 RPM non-inverter suitcase generators - many of which can still be picked up for a song for routine RV battery charging via the proper chargers:

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

I was hoping we might hear from (his name if IIRC is Jim) in WA.) and we might interest him to repost his set-up. Best I've seen in the all the past years here on RV.Net. He has ran up hundreds of hours on the Honda EU1000i, in the box with NO problems.

I want to give credit to bill h for all his help while I tried for years to come up with the best sound material for gen silence. It comes down to a celotex 1/2" panel. I like the black stuff from HD or Lowe's. Perhaps we can go further on another thread.

Floyd

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I'd go one step farther than SMK and add an inverter. Use the golf cart batteries/inverter to operate the shore power cord on the RV.

[time2roll]

I still like 2x 24v solar panels on the golf car. You would be the hit of the campground.
About $500 for panels and controller.

[mena661]

Old & Slow wrote:
BLF13,

Thanks for the post. It's so sad, we all have the live at times with 'cause and effect'. I hate loud noise. The gens of yester-years... except for the Honda EX650? I want one that I can use and still hear the crunch of walking steps and the dog sled runners in the snow (memories) O&S

Floyd

In a really quiet setting, any generator will seem loud. IMO, I would try to limit the genny usage to as little as possible which means fast charging and larger battery banks. I'm not out long enough to charge batteries using the genny so fast charging isn't a priority for now. I do use the genny for running the convection oven until I get some solar and a larger inverter. Honda and Yamaha genny's are as quiet as they come but are pricey. Pnichols idea of running a Honda EU3000 at low loads is a good one but to my ears the EU2000 is quieter.

[pnichols]

Old & Slow wrote:
In favor of the Honda 1000i, the pioneer of box building (he lives I think, in Oak Harbor WA) built a box for the Honda 1000i and put hundreds of hours on it with no heating problems. It purred like a real kitten. So I know the air flow was fine for the Honda.

I guess I should disclose my full current situation regarding portable Honda generators: Just this past Sunday my brother gave me outright a Honda EX1000 (900 watts continuous) red generator. It's in immaculate like-new condition with maybe two hours run-time on it with all of it's shiny tools still in it's built-in tool box. Since it's sound level is 64dB - too loud for RV camping if used as is - maybe I should find out what the pioneer of box building did for a 1000i and duplicate it for my "new" EX1000. Perhaps I can get my EX1000's apparent sound level down into that superlative and magical no-generator-sound-for-all-practical-purposes realm of where a Honda EU3000iS is (at 1/4 of it's rated load) - 49dB!

FWIW, here's a specifications comparison chart link for most of the good old Honda 3600 RPM non-inverter suitcase generators - many of which can still be picked up for a song for routine RV battery charging via the proper chargers:

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

[Old___Slow]

BLF13,

Thanks for the post. It's so sad, we all have the live at times with 'cause and effect'. I hate loud noise. The gens of yester-years... except for the Honda EX650? I want one that I can use and still hear the crunch of walking steps and the dog sled runners in the snow (memories) O&S

Floyd

[BFL13]

Old & Slow wrote:
......I would rather run the inverter more hours at the most silent rate than charge fast and ferrous with a screaming gen. I feel with the info' coming down the pike (thread), I'll find the answer and go from there. Thanks for all the help thus far.



Floyd

You don't get that choice in BC provincial parks, eg, where there are gen time limits of 9-11am and 6-8pm. So to get it all done (a 50-90)in two hours you want a fast charger (high amps, 14plus volts) and enough gen to run it for your size bank.

[Old___Slow]

I have little doubt that the Honda EX650 will go down in history of successful and winning gens. If I were to guess, I'd say In my time on RV.net forums, I've seen at least 100 posts praising the little fellow. The info' left by pnichols is what I was looking to find. I always wanted to believe the 1/4 load figures should indecate the ideling output, giving the lowest dBA rating. Personally, I would rather run a gen longer at the lowest dBA rating than be on the upper end of the scale, noise wise. Also burning less fuel. Most folks say that batts are better served with a slower charge rate. In my old age I have forgotton, perhaps, more that I ever knew about batteries. But in the old days I don't remember bulging dry batts in my RV's. Anywho, for my single purpose need to charge the 24v sealed lead acid batt in my scooter and considering the Yamaha 1000i, it looks like I can expect around 250w at the lowest rmp. Or 400w from the 2000i Honda or Yamaha at 1/4 output.

Thanks, pnichols for yet another great post, there have been so many really helpful good folks, in a 'quest' to charge the batts with the least noise.

In favor of the Honda 1000i, the pioneer of box building (he lives I think, in Oak Harbor WA) built a box for the Honda 1000i and put hundreds of hours on it with no heating problems. It purred like a real kitten. So I know the air flow was fine for the Honda.

In the mean time, back at the ranch, I'll be on the lookout the a Honda EX650.

Floyd

[pnichols]

The Honda EU2000i runs at a 53dB sound level when delivering about 400 watts (1/4 of it's 1600 watt continuous rating).

My Honda EX650 runs at a 54dB sound level when delivering 550 watts (all of it's 550 watts continuous rating).

Since my RV's battery bank usually charges initially at no higher than around 30-35 amps anyway, I'll probably stick with our little EX650 as long as I can keep it running. Our EX650 is around 25 years old and still starts right up even after leaving it setting around with ethanol blend gas left in it's tank, fuel line, and carburetor. It's engine is four-cycle, so no mixing.

I know most folks seem to love to buy brand new, but FWIW, one can still find the Honda EX650 used in the $200-$300 range.

[mena661]

Salvo wrote:
The noise rating for Honda 2000i and 1000i are identical: 59 db at rated load and 53 db at 1/4 load. If noise is a big factor, then the 2000i will charge the batteries in half the time at the same noise level.

Sal

X2

[Salvo]

The noise rating for Honda 2000i and 1000i are identical: 59 db at rated load and 53 db at 1/4 load. If noise is a big factor, then the 2000i will charge the batteries in half the time at the same noise level.

Sal

[Old___Slow]

I found a new inverter gen today, the Champion 1000i. The first choice has been the Yamaha 1000i, however I might be temped @ $429.

[Old___Slow]

wintersun wrote:
There is a limit to how high a charge rate your battery bank can take without damaging the batteries. A lot of the output from a generator is going to be wasted in many situations.

What is good about solar is that it provides a charge output level that is better matched to the charge acceptance rates of deep cycle batteries.

Many techs express this same opinion. One reason it is/was my objective to go with the slower chargers and keep the AC draw on a small inverter to the minimum. I have no experience with the 1000i inverters. So the question has been, at what output draw for the 1000i will keep it the most silent. Say 400w?

I would rather run the inverter more hours at the most silent rate than charge fast and ferrous with a screaming gen. I feel with the info' coming down the pike (thread), I'll find the answer and go from there. Thanks for all the help thus far.



Floyd

[wintersun]

There is a limit to how high a charge rate your battery bank can take without damaging the batteries. A lot of the output from a generator is going to be wasted in many situations.

What is good about solar is that it provides a charge output level that is better matched to the charge acceptance rates of deep cycle batteries.

[time2roll]

3a charger will also take a long time but can work all night with no swapping around.

Consider an extended run fuel tank for the Honda.