Battery question

[Mikeroe66]

When dry camping, how often should you run the generator to recharge the battery(s) we may be doing a couple day trip at a lake where there are no hook ups

[Bob Denman]

Perhaps two or three hours daily...
A lot will depend on what you've got for batteries; and for power usage.

[Long & Winding road]

Yep, I would run evey day for 3 or 4 hours. More if you think it needs it.

[DanChateau33SW]

If you aren't using much battery, you may not need to charge them. A couple day trip, I would probably run the generator about a half hour each morning to make coffee and that would be enough to keep the batteries charged. That includes our residential fridge running on the inverter. My wife and I don't use much, even when plugged in.

[TurnerFam]

the answer is really very simple: WHEN the batteries need it!

now, yes, everyone will throw in their own experience and suggested 'hours', but the reality is that we ALL use electrical and 12v systems differently... NO ONE is the same, and everyone can have different size/number/condition of batteries, and or use of the 120v from the inverter, as well, so there can be NO 'answer' to this question. Your own experience will dictate how often your batteries need 're charging'...

You don't say what year/model of RV you have, or how many batteries, or what size/hours/conditions they are in, and what 'electricity' you think you might normally use during any 24 hour period.

If you monitor your battery levels, you'll find that cranking your generator to recharge them when they hit 12.0 Volts, for 30minutes to an hour of run time, will net a good return on your generator fuel costs, and bring the batteries to a good level for several more hours, or even all of the overnight hours, depending on your usage.
You could wait until your batteries hit 11.5, or even lower, but then you risk the generator not being able to start.

If your rig has an AGS to automatically start the generator on low battery voltage, then set it to take care of it for you.

Also, when the generator IS running, that's your time to pop the corn, make supper, and generally do things that REQUIRE the generator...including air conditioning, morning coffee, or hair drying, etc.

We have our AGS(auto gen starter) set to take care of our batteries. The generator might start every several hours, and run for 30 mins, especially during the daytime hours when our activity is highest, but only crank twice during the overnight hours when sleeping is the biggest activity : )

[scrubjaysnest]

For the typical deep cycle battery 12.2 volts is about 50% discharged and the point you don't want to go below for maximum life.
At 11.5 volts the battery is discharged for all intents.


Starting from 50% ginney run time will very with battery bank size. Maybe 4 hours for a 100 aH battery. A 400 aH battery will take 6 to 8 hours.

[Gc.lonefir]

Originally Posted by scrubjaysnest

For the typical deep cycle battery 12.2 volts is about 50% discharged and the point you don't want to go below for maximum life.
At 11.5 volts the battery is discharged for all intents.


Starting from 50% ginney run time will very with battery bank size. Maybe 4 hours for a 100 aH battery. A 400 aH battery will take 6 to 8 hours.

Ok, everyone, how do i check the volts on my coach batteries? Is there some piece of equipment out there to have in my tool bag?

JD

[Bob Denman]

Do you have a meter in your coach that looks at all like this?
It gives me a readout on the batteries anytime that it's turned on...

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1534525872

[Diemaster]

Originally Posted by scrubjaysnest

For the typical deep cycle battery 12.2 volts is about 50% discharged and the point you don't want to go below for maximum life.
At 11.5 volts the battery is discharged for all intents.

is this under load or open circuit? i just unplugged the coach to exercise the genny for the month and the batteries (got 2 installed) droped to 11.8. this was under load of running the fridge. lucky the genny cranked over and started but i didn't see the voltage while cranking.

[Bob Denman]

Where is your Co-Pilot: when you need them the most?

[Gc.lonefir]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Do you have a meter in your coach that looks at all like this?

It gives me a readout on the batteries anytime that it's turned on...



http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1534525872

No i don’t, but i have seen those meters before. Is there something you can test batteries that will give you the reading you need to know?

[The Gritz Carlton]

I just bought ($37) a load tester for 6 and 12 volt batteries. It will not only give you accurate readouts as to current voltage/charge status but you can load test the condition of the inside plates of the battery in 10 seconds. If the load test fails...you have bad batteries. We used these years ago when I worked for an oil company during the days of the full service stations...they are fail-proof. It tests your charging system too! It will be a useful addition to the already stuffed lockers. Do not buy the 100 AMP model. Several YouTube Goobers show you how they work if you wanna search it by model number.


NOTE: Batteries must be fully charged for this to work accurately.



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Gc.lonefir

No i don’t, but i have seen those meters before. Is there something you can test batteries that will give you the reading you need to know?

You're probably looking for something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._rd_i=15707371


I just Googled 12 volt battery tester...

[The Gritz Carlton]

The only way to test a battery for "life left in it" is a load test. There are lots of testers that will let you know if they are simply charged. Load test determines how they will act when you go to use them.

[Gary A]

Originally Posted by scrubjaysnest

For the typical deep cycle battery 12.2 volts is about 50% discharged and the point you don't want to go below for maximum life.
At 11.5 volts the battery is discharged for all intents.


Starting from 50% ginney run time will very with battery bank size. Maybe 4 hours for a 100 aH battery. A 400 aH battery will take 6 to 8 hours.

If 12.2 is 50% charged why am I able to bring in the slide and awning and then start the generator when I get a reading of 11.5?????

[Gc.lonefir]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

You're probably looking for something like this:



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._rd_i=15707371





I just Googled 12 volt battery tester...

[emoji106] thank you

[Bob Denman]

Happy Hunting!