Forum Discussion

MTBob's avatar
MTBob
Explorer
Jun 07, 2016

Using TC Generator to Charge Boat Batteries?

I pull a 17ft Lund fishing boat with my NL camper. On the back of the camper I have mounted a Honda 2000 generator that I typically use to charge my camper batteries.
In my boat I have a 3 bank charger that can charge 2 12v trolling motor batteries (plus the engine cranking batteries). The charger has a 15 amp capacity for each battery.
As I travel from one place to another to fish, I'm considering plugging in my boat battery charger to the Honda generator and - while driving to the next fishing location - running the generator to charge the boat batteries. To accomplish this I'd run an extension cord from the generator mounted on the back of the camper to the battery charger that's mounted in the boat.
Is there is anything wrong with running the generator to charge the boat batteries while driving down the road?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
  • Don't see why not. I'd be more concerned with the extenion cord running back to your boat.
  • I charged my BassCat batteries with my Class B generator with no issues after Smallwood State Park shut down from storm damage and I would overnight at Walmart. It worked out great.
  • If your generator is securely fastened, and has enough ventilation, there's no reason to not run it while driving.
    Many, if not most, motor home owners run the generator while driving.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    You could also probably run a 12VDC CHARGE line from you Alternator Charge System to your batteries... You obviously have 12VDC safety lights on your pulled trailer already... Probably can't get a whole lot of DC Current going that far away but a long term trickle charge when in travel mode will go a long way keeping the batteries topped off...

    I personally hate to run things like the generator when in travel mode in a situation like this where I don't have much control on how things are working from way up front in the drivers seat. Strange things always come up for me haha...

    Roy Ken