RE: Quick(er) Battery Charging Trick with Generator
Reading through several blogs this morning, I came across a suggestion to reduce battery charge time with your generator...It's sounds logical...
Instead of running your generator for long periods of time to re-charge your batteries (using the on-board charger), install an automotive battery charger that can supercharge quickly. The charger could be installed in your storage compartment, connected to a 120V electrical outlet, and run to the batteries with hard connections.
One concern I would have is that more Hydrogen may be created. You would probably want to ensure that your vents are in proper operating condition and vented outside as designed.
Other than that, it sounded like a really good idea. The generator would run less and the batteries would charge faster.
Your thoughts? Anyone tried this?
I know that with older batteries (years ) ago fast charging to often would lower the life of the battery. A slow 2 amp trickle was recomended. This may have changed with the new technology in the batteries today. I would check withe the battery manufactor before trying this method
I would think with today's "Smart Chargers", that would limit the problems created. But I get your point.
I was also thinking about installing a push-button in the control panel to start/stop the charger as you see fit.
Another thing to help would be to run a #6 gauge wire from your alternator to the trailer plug to take better advantage of the trucks charging system for them
With all due respect, I don't think the blogs understand much about the converter in your Redwood. The converter if operating on shore or generator power has a boost mode that supplies 14.4 VDC to rapidly charge your batteries. There are 3 modes that the converter automatically runs:
1. Boost Mode
2. Normal Mode
3. Storage Mode
Your generator with the converter will get you to 90% rapidly. It charges your entire battery bank at one time. In my case, that is 4 - 6v batteries. Most that boon dock will tell you that trying to get the last 5% or so, is not worth the fuel. 90-95% charge is sufficient. BTW, the batteries reach the 90-95% in about an hour or so.
You have already invested a state of the art charger in your rig.
Ken
Ken,
I get you with the on-board "booster", but wonder about overall quick charge capacity? What are the chargers rated for? 1 battery or multiple batteries?
It may just be our unit, but I have left the on-board booster on for several days. The batteries are taking forever to get to 90%. I connected the automotive style quick charger and in 2 hours, I had a 95% charge. These are 1 year old batteries (a pair of 12V). I am considering changing out to (4) 6V batteries. I'm sure the process will slow down even more.
I'll see if I can find my data for the on-board charger output and for the battery charger I have and do a comparison.
But here a few interesting articles I found related to charging:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc ="s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjVjfWN2fXKAhXBOD4KHaoiB1gQFggeMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.operatingtech.com%2Flib%2Fpdf%2FA%2520Guide%2520to%2520battery%2520Charging.pdf&usg=AFQjCNFJ8S9cqgtaBWiNA4qWW7IN0hyJjA&bvm=bv.114195076,d.dmo"
http://www.solar-electric.com/deep-cycle-battery-faq.html
http://www.chargingchargers.com/tutorials/12-volt-charger.html
It's especially interesting to read about AMPS required to charge batteries at the bottom of the 3rd article...If we have (2) 150 AH Batteries, our charger would need to be 75 Amp or 90 Amp output. For the (4) 6V's, that would require a different charger output. What size output do we have? Is it considered a "smart 3-stage charger"?
Sounds like you gave a problem with you progressive converter. I'd have it checked out.
Make sure your mode on the Progressive is set to automatic. It can be set to manual trickle charge only. The manual is in the resource section.
Good point Brad, I forgot to mention the manual mode.
