I got a really good deal on a pair of new 100 amp gel cells (AlphaCel 195 GXL) I was going to get a pair of golf cart batteries but these came along for $60 ea.Our summer trip to northern Maine will include 3-4 days dry camping followed by a few hours of driving followed by another 3-4 days dry camping. My hope is to replenish the batteries on the driving days but reading about gel cells I'm not so sure.Can I just run a wire from the 7-pin to charge off the alternator? Or should I run a smart charger through an inverter?Our power consumption will be the LP heater, water pump, lights and assorted device charging.Thanks

pin 4 should already be setup to do that. check your battery voltage with the TV off, should be around 12.5, then start TV and with trailer plugged in voltage should go up by a volt or more. If it doesnt your TV may have a blown fuse.sorry just saw class a qx. but same thing applies. your chassis should recharge house and voltage checks with engine off and running is your key.

Hard to know what to expect until you review the charging specifications.

my first thought would be, run a quality charger with a GEL setting from a generator, second thought same charger from an inverterGel batteries can not take high current or be allowed to heat up during chargingTry to find the specific charge settings for your new batteriesAnd I suspect that a few hours charge time will not replaced 3 nights of heater blower power use

This is from battery stuff .com"Gel Cell Batteries are typically a bit more costly and do not offer the same power capacity as do the same physical size AGM battery. The Gel Cell Battery excels in slow discharge rates and slightly higher ambient operating temperatures. One big issue with Gel Batteries that must be addressing is the GEL CHARGE PROFILE. Gel Cell Batteries must be recharged correctly or the battery will suffer premature failure. The battery charger being used to recharge the battery(s) must be designed or adjustable for Gel Cell Batteries. If you are using an alternator to recharge a true Gel Cell a special regulator must be installed.If you are unsure which battery or charger is best for your application, please call or email our tech people for help making the correct selection"

rjxj my comments were in general, in the specialized information on that specific type I defer to your data,

gel cell chargging questions | Good Sam Community

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017
PLUG N PLAY PERVERT

Anyone who insists anyone can maximize battery lifespan even on a heavily cycled battery with a PFART CHARGER.

Like abandoning a child. "I gots me no extra time so's I am free free free when I send the little buggers to school. They'll figger out why little mugsy always wants to set other kids hair on fire with a torch.

Press a button world. Everything gets done halfass or quarterass but it's a plug n play world, babies!
hertfordnc
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017
red31 wrote:
Were you able to determine the charge profile of the B+D?

Profile? Looks to be about 4" tall and 8" deep with chromes handles.

Seriously, I got a little lost in parts of this discussion. THe one i ordered does 0-15 amps (automatically i think) and a 40 amp start mode.

Apparently it is a really smart charger and makes a lot of decisions itself.

But i can read a meter, I'll figure it out.

I also bought the old one ebay because i love old metal analogue stuff.
red31
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017
Were you able to determine the charge profile of the B+D?
hertfordnc
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017
Ok, I think we have beaten this topic thoroughly to death.
This is why forums are so much better than FB groups for the exchange of information.

But i think social media has impacted the civility here. I've been here a long time and before facebook most people were a lot more patient nad less snarky.

Makes no difference to me my skin is bulletproof.

I ordered the B&D from amazon. Looks like a fine solution. I'll experiment with charging it from the car when we get on the road.

But i am also thinking about this charger on ebay:

Wheelchair charger for $$28 delivered.

Looks like it might be a good option to hard wire into hte camper.
drsteve
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017
Lwiddis wrote:
"Not the best deal for a plug n play pervert."

Mexico, your meaning is unclear.

Autofill did it.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2017
"Not the best deal for a plug n play pervert."

Mexico, your meaning is unclear.
Naio
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2017
Boy, peoples on this forum are mean sometimes!

Useful advice, tho.
red31
Explorer
Jun 03, 2017
so send one battery back and get a 60 watt panel, even trade!
https://www.solarblvd.com/products/solar-cynergy-60-watt-12-volt-solar-panel-2/
or spluge on an 100 watt!

connect it directly to the battery with landscape 12g wire, if the batt gets over 14v turn the panel away from the sun or add a switch, disconnect at night!

You can add a charge controller later when ya saved up for one.
makes a great maintainer for storage.

when ya get home sell it all for a profit
hertfordnc
Explorer
Jun 03, 2017
rjxj wrote:
Funnier yet would be to just spend $85 per gc 2 and be done with it. Charge off the vehicle. Charge off a converter. Charge off a black and decker. Charge off a nice progressive dynamics or even a $29 power supply. $120 vs $170? If that's too much I really think I'd bypass rv'n. Just saying

Well yeah, that's the plan. Probably get the B&D. Funny how most of their other stuff is **** but they seem to have displaced Schumacher in consumer battery chargers.
azrving
Explorer
Jun 03, 2017
Funnier yet would be to just spend $85 per gc 2 and be done with it. Charge off the vehicle. Charge off a converter. Charge off a black and decker. Charge off a nice progressive dynamics or even a $29 power supply. $120 vs $170? If that's too much I really think I'd bypass rv'n. Just saying

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