One or two generators?

[Rmack1]

I have two Yamaha EF2000iS generators, and they work together through the connecting cable.

My question is; is it always necessary or desirable to have both generators running? I know I need them both for the AC, but what If I'm just watching HD satellite TV? I'm thinking it would be a good idea to have two running if I use the microwave, and I would probably turn off the AC before using it, but I'm not sure.

I'm thinking that if the AC or microwave isn't being used, it might be more economical to just have one going, and alternate between the two.

Anyone know?

[wa8yxm]

Rmack1 wrote:
This 'emergency power supply' thing has jumper cables, but they are suppose to be used for charging up batteries. Will it work backwards?

Generally the jumper cables connect DIRECTLY to the battery inside the box.. (Though I've seen some with a switch or a breaker).. So yes, they will work backwards.. The only 'Danger' is that your converter is capable of way way way too fast charging of that AGM battery.. Odds are the AGM battery inside the box is at most 25-30 amp hours. and though LIFELINE says you can hit theirs with 3 times their AH rating (75 to 90 amps for the sizes I mentioned.. IF THEY ARE THAT LARGE) my converter is 80 amps. and that 3x only applies to LIFELINE, other makes its more like 1/3 amp hour rating.

SO have the AGM fully charged when you first parallel it with the house batteries.. That way the house batteries will suck up the excess amps when charging.

[Rmack1]

I just had a thought.

My emergency power supply has a cig lighter plug cable for charging the unit from the car 12v. Would it work if I plugged that into a 12v receptacle in my trailer and then plugged whatever I was running, say the TV, receiver, and sat dish strait into the power supplies AC plugs?

[BFL13]

You don't have to open the battery boxes. They already have wires coming out of them, one to the frame at the tongue and the pos to a fuse or circuit breaker nearby on the tongue.

Just clamp the jumpers neg to the frame and to the pos wire connection at the fuse holder and try it out. Then you will know exactly how it will all work or not. Nothing will break--you have to try things out!

[Rmack1]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

You do have to disconnect the converter. Some folks prefer to automate that with a transfer switch--but I simply unplug mine.

I'm pretty sure I have a converter, as I charge my batteries when I'm plugged into shore power. I have no idea how to turn it off, though. It's probably part of my 'power distribution' thing that's under my fridge behind a wall. I believe there is a fuse bank in that area.

[Rmack1]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

If it has "jumper cables" just fasten them onto the battery bank. See above for the most ideal way.

Rmack1 wrote:
I suspect there is no easy way to use this inverter for my trailers needs, so I won't even ask.

This 'emergency power supply' thing has jumper cables, but they are suppose to be used for charging up batteries. Will it work backwards? It basically is a small battery in a sealed plastic case. I would have three batteries in all counting my two trailer 12 volts. What would I do? hook up the positive cable to a + on one battery, and the negative one on the - on the other battery?

That would be pretty cool. I believe it is pretty much water proof, though I would probably put a plastic bag over it or something in case of rain. Also, I would have to open up the battery boxes, so I would need to cover them up with something, I suspect.

[wa8yxm]

Is it necessary to have both generators running... NO. if all you are doing is watching TV and charging batteries,, NO. if you need an Air Conditioner, then yes (or microwave or water heater or any other big ticket load)

You might wish to drop the parallel cables from the running genny though.

[skipnchar]

Never any need to produce more electric power than you need to use. If it were "otherwise" you couldn't store the RV without running both generators 🙂

[pianotuna]

Hi,

You do have to disconnect the converter. Some folks prefer to automate that with a transfer switch--but I simply unplug mine.

Rmack1 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

If it has "jumper cables" just fasten them onto the battery bank. See above for the most ideal way.

Rmack1 wrote:
I suspect there is no easy way to use this inverter for my trailers needs, so I won't even ask.

Interesting. I can almost see this snake eating its tail with my aux power supply hooked up to my hitch batteries with my shore power cable plugged in......almost.....I'm trying.

[Jayco23FB]

Check out this link for the hard start kit.
You can also go to Utube and search for RV AC hard start kit.
http://youtu.be/oHgXGlYNYkQ

For the hour meters go to "wise generator" and look in generator accessories. They are about 40-45$ and easy to install.

As far as the Aux. battery and inverter, my truck came with a spot for one so I used it. You can place a battery in a plastic battery box and use alligator clips and you have the same thing.

[Rmack1]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

If it has "jumper cables" just fasten them onto the battery bank. See above for the most ideal way.

Rmack1 wrote:
I suspect there is no easy way to use this inverter for my trailers needs, so I won't even ask.

Interesting. I can almost see this snake eating its tail with my aux power supply hooked up to my hitch batteries with my shore power cable plugged in......almost.....I'm trying.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

If it has "jumper cables" just fasten them onto the battery bank. See above for the most ideal way.

Rmack1 wrote:
I suspect there is no easy way to use this inverter for my trailers needs, so I won't even ask.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

There are two types of inverters. One is called pure sine wave--and will produce the same or sometimes even better power than you get by plugging into shore power.

The other type is a modified sine wave. It produces what are called square waves rather than sine waves--and that may cause "noise" on tv screens--and may cause computer power supplies to run hotter than normal.

The msw is cheaper. But good pure sine wave units of about 300 watts that will run what you want are not going to "break the bank", either.

Morningstar makes a wonderful small inverter. Go Power and Samlex also make quality units.

This is what is balanced and best for twin twelve volt batteries.



As it often doesn't cost a dime more to do this, I think it is worth the trouble.

If you wish to understand the "why" surf here:

correctly interconnecting multiple twelve volt batteries

Others may say it doesn't matter--but unless there is a compelling reason to not optimize charging and discharging why not do it the best possible way?

[Rmack1]

BFL13 wrote:
Can you just clamp the jumper cables onto your two trailer batteries and run things from the inverter part? (like plug in the shore power cable to the inverter as mentioned earlier--converter off)

Wow. You know, I could do that with my 30 amp adapter. Changes my shore power cable with the different plug to standard household plugs, but I have no idea how that would work. I also wouldn't know which of my two 12V batteries on my hitch I should clamp onto.

I see I still have much to learn.

[BFL13]

Can you just clamp the jumper cables onto your two trailer batteries and run things from the inverter part? (like plug in the shore power cable to the inverter as mentioned earlier--converter off)

[Rmack1]

I do have this nifty auxiliary power supply that has jumper cables, an air compressor, and an inverter supplying two AC plugs. I ran my home upright air conditioner for nearly an hour one blackout. On another one, I ran an AC fan even longer.

It also has 12V 'cigarette lighter' plugs for DC use, and that lasts even longer. I have a couple of 12V fans I've been using ever since I tent camped, and they still work. I use them in my trailer when I don't have shore power or generators.

I suspect there is no easy way to use this inverter for my trailers needs, so I won't even ask.