Battery Charging

[Johnww]

We are going on out first boondocking trip next week. I have two 6 volt batteries that I will use for primarily lights and propane refrigerator. I will use my 2,000 watt generator to recharge the batteries. What is thed most efficient way to recharge the batteries, plug in and let the converter charge or direct hookup to recharge to the batteries? My generator will recharge at 8 amps, not sure what gate I can expect from the converter with 120 volt imput.

[ncitro]

You’ll be better to plug it in and use the converter to charge. I think its 30 or 40 amps.

[warsw1]

We just plug in and let the converter do the charging. I always get up early so I get the coffee going. I usually end up running the generator 2 or 3 hours in the morning. We do the same in the evening just running the micro wave and watching TV. The batteries usually end up getting 4 to 6 hours of charge time a day when we are boondocking. So far, even if we run the furnace at night, we have never run the batteries down. I have run 6 volt and 12 volt batteries in different trailers and can say I have never run the batteries down.

[jmbopp]

If you're serious about boondocking and charging off a generator then look into upgrading your converter. WFCO's don't do a good job compared to Progressive Dynamics, IOTA, or Boondocker.

[jkwilson]

An additional thing to be aware of is that many generator produce unregulated power from their DC outputs which can cause damage to electronics hooked to the battery. Some get up around 18V.

[TwoElkhounds]

If you're serious about boondocking and charging off a generator then look into upgrading your converter. WFCO's don't do a good job compared to Progressive Dynamics, IOTA, or Boondocker.

I second this, replace the crappy charger that came with your trailer. Be sure to get one that has the boost feature and battery maintenance feature, such as the Progressive Dynamics referenced here. Very easy swap out.

DAN

[jmbopp]

I second this, replace the crappy charger that came with your trailer. Be sure to get one that has the boost feature and battery maintenance feature, such as the Progressive Dynamics referenced here. Very easy swap out.

DAN

I have a deck-mount IOTA-55 mounted in the hookup center. It's wired to the 6V batteries and the WFCO is turned off at the breaker. In effect I'm using the WFCO only as a DC distribution block and not as a charger. But it's still available as a backup if needed.

[Johnww]

Thanks for the responses. For our upcoming trip I will have to rely on the stock converter.