In two weeks we will be heading to the mountains where there is no power. We have an inverter generator we will use as needed. However, we are restricted to 10pm with running the generator. I have put together the following system to provide power to our tv, dvd, dvr. Two 6v gulf cart batteries connected in series, one 200amp fuse, one 2000watt psw inverter and all cables. My plan is to attach my smart charger to the batteries and charge the batteries each morning as we prepare coffee and normally run the generator for a few hours each day. I'll be turning the inverter off each night. Well there be any issues with leaving the inverter hooked up to the batteries during the charging cycle. Any input or advise would be welcome.

Hi Robert,Welcome to the forums.Leaving the inverter on may lower the charge rate by what ever the parasitic draw for it. That varies from one inverter to another--but it can be as high as 3 amps.This also depends on the converter and how it recharges the battery bank.What make and model of converter is in the RV?Be aware that the generator may not output full power at high altitudes.

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pianotuna, The system I have put together is separate from my trailer. My plan is to recharge my 6v batteries from a portable smart charger that is plugged into my inverter generator. My biggest concern is leaving my xantrex 1000 psw inverter connected to the batteries while charging the batteries with the portable smart charger and am I missing anything on my set up.

There is no problem leaving the inverter on the batteries while you are charging the batteries. Everybody does that, as most inverters are "installed" so you can't disconnect them anyway.Obviously, it is better to not have any draw on the batteries while you are trying to charge them as that slows down the time it takes (because your net amps in is less) and you want short as possible generator time.Note you went from a 2000w inverter in the OP to a 1000w later. ???The so-called standby draw of an inverter is fairly trivial in the scenario you describe. If you don't have a remote to inside the rig for the inverter, then if it means going out in the dark and rain to shut it off at night or to turn it on in the morning, then just leave it on :)

At one time most all convertors were not very good. That is not necessairly the rule nowadays. Some are very good smart type chargers.What does your unit have?

my portable 12 volt system any advise | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

prier5
Explorer
Mar 18, 2014
Horizon170, yes, in the future I plan on adding solar. I will wait until we get our new 5th wheel.
Horizon170
Explorer
Mar 18, 2014
I will also suggest some Solar for boondocking. I'm not sure but I think you can reduce you generator run time by charging batteries with both the inverter and the additional battery charger.
If this is wrong I will edit my post.
prier5
Explorer
Mar 18, 2014
BFL13, that's a thought as my stuff is new, i'll go look around for maybe a higher charge rate battery charger. Thanks for help.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Mar 18, 2014
Hi,

100 amps @ 14.8 volts = 1480 watts. Assuming 95% efficiency that 100 amp PowerMax needs a 15 amp supply. It might be "iffy" with a Honda 2k genny (13.3 amps continuous)

BFL has a 2800 watt Honda, so it is a breeze for him.
BFL13
Explorer II
Mar 18, 2014
prier5 wrote:
The 100 amp is just for starting the charge rate is 30amp and automatically switches to maintenance mode.

That will make a difference on your generator, where a 100amper would need a big input that the gen might not have. I have a 100amp PowerMax charger but it is power factor corrected so it doesn't take so much to run it.

It should take your 30amper about three hours and fifteen minutes to do a 50-90 on the pair of 6s. If you had a second 30amper and used them both at once( if the gen can handle both) you could knock an hour off that time to do the 50-90
prier5
Explorer
Mar 18, 2014
The 100 amp is just for starting the charge rate is 30amp and automatically switches to maintenance mode.
BFL13
Explorer II
Mar 18, 2014
Is that really a 100amp charger, or is that 100amps just for a burst of engine starting and the real charging rate is maybe 40amps or whatever?
prier5
Explorer
Mar 18, 2014
In the future after we get our new rv we will be installing solar.
prier5
Explorer
Mar 18, 2014
I am charging the batteries from a schumacker6/12 volt 100 amp automatic battery charger. This will be run off my inverter generator and my xantrex 1000 will be attached to my battery pack. I don't have a converter other then the battery charger. Yes the system is more work and should be mounted and incorperated into the trailer, however, we will be buying a new 5th wheel after selling our homes and moving this fall so I did it this way so I can incorperate most everything I have put together into our new unit.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Mar 18, 2014
It will work okay but it sounds like you are creating extra work that provides no real benefit. Install the batteries and inverter in your RV.

Like others I wonder about the charging. What charger do you plan on using and what converter do you have?

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my portable 12 volt system any advise

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