Batteries @ Q?

Topic: Batteries @ Q? (Read 2147 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #25 – January 01, 2017, 12:47:52 pm

Quote from: Sven and Kristi – January 01, 2017, 12:44:16 pm

I've been concerned about keeping the RV hooked up to shore power long term, especially with an older converter. Would it be better to add a modern 3-stage battery charger to the system? If so, I would be interested in any recommendations.

Absolutely, the old converters only supply float voltages.

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #26 – January 01, 2017, 12:53:20 pm

I thought all 2000's came with inverters with 3 stage charger.

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #27 – January 01, 2017, 03:42:26 pm

Mine has inverter and I too think they all came with inv'
JohnH

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #28 – January 01, 2017, 05:02:20 pm

Measured voltages on batteries have little meaning without knowing what what was happening to the batteries in the last couple hours before the measurement was taken!

Disconnect a floaded battery which is being charged, voltage will be 13.8 to 14.6 volts. Voltage will drop fairly quickly at first then more slowly and after two hours voltage will be 12.9, after 12 hours it will be 12.8 which indicates it is fully charged. Twenty four hours later voltage will be 12.75, still fully charged. Gel battery voltages will stabilize at 0.10 to 0.30 volts higher than for a flooded battery.

A fully charged 8D Gel battery which has been disconnected for 2 days and shows voltage of 12.9 is fully charged. Connect a 5 amp light bulb to this battery and monitor voltage. In 20 minutes voltage will read 12.40 volts even though battery is still 98% charged. This is the nature of a battery. After the first 20 minutes, Voltage will continue to drop at a rate of .02 volts per hour, and after 24 hours the battery will be about 50% discharged and show a voltage of 11.92. After disconnect, battery voltage will rise, fairly quickly at first until a day later voltage will read about 12.20, which indicates about 50% charged.

The most reliable way to know when to start your generator is using an amp hour meter.

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #29 – January 01, 2017, 05:07:14 pm

Quote from: P. Wyatt Sabourin – January 01, 2017, 05:02:20 pm

The most reliable way to know when to start your generator is using an amp hour meter.

Got a suggestion as to a brand you like?

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #30 – January 01, 2017, 05:18:22 pm

home - Bogart Engineering

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #31 – January 01, 2017, 05:29:25 pm

Mike,

Check your charger remote panel. You should see "amp" charge rate on it. If running the generator to charge the batteries, watch as charge rate drops off.

Most efficient use of generator to charge batteries is to discharge to 50%, run generator to recharge to 80%, discharge to 50%...... Yes, once a week you do need to bring the batteries back up to full charge.

So as ammeter drops from 40...30...20...10 I suspect somewhere between 10 and 20 amp charge rate running the generator longer would not be economically feasible.

Another trick we learned while traveling for extended periods of time in Mexico with a friend with another coach is that we traded off running our generators when just using it for battery charging. So, easy to plug in your coach to anyone nearby running a generator using adapters and an extension cord into a regular 120 VAC outlet on the other coach, and with all 120 VAC loads in your coach off, you really aren't drawing that many amps of 120 VAC from your neighbor.

Another option is a small gasoline generator. Wouldn't take a very large one to power your (very efficient) Trucharge 40+.

Lots of options.

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #32 – January 01, 2017, 06:14:50 pm

Ok I'll bite. At what amp hrs to I turn the geny on,

,prolly depends on the size and number and type of batteries. Arg

No dang wonder they put auto start on these things. Toooo many variables.

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #33 – January 01, 2017, 06:28:15 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – January 01, 2017, 05:29:25 pm

Check your charger remote panel. You should see "amp" charge rate on it. If running the generator to charge the batteries, watch as charge rate drops off. ILots of options.

I have noticed, after power outages, even with the gen-set giving back-up, it takes some time to bring the batteries up to "ready', maybe a good feature with the Truecharge. The coach batteries are "Lifeline GPL-8DL", installed 11/14. The starters are "Optima 800 CCA spirals",installed 2012. I noticed you installed fresh 8DLs in 2005, not a bad life. I note, now, on shore power, both battery banks are showing 13.4/13.7, the center "Total Current Charge" light is sitting at "10", System light up above says "ready". Wish that nice Truecharge would give me indication of battery drain when off-grid. Thanks, M

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #34 – January 01, 2017, 06:34:09 pm

Mikey, do not fret as there are lots of people going to be there and do you think we/they will let you have a brown out?? well depends on the drink available. Worry about something really important, like what to eat for supper/
JohnH

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #35 – January 01, 2017, 06:36:07 pm

Quote from: Bob & Sue – January 01, 2017, 06:14:50 pm

Ok I'll bite. At what amp hrs to I turn the geny on,

,prolly depends on the size and number and type of batteries. Arg

No dang wonder they put auto start on these things. Toooo many variables.

Actually with a battery monitor like the trimetric, you enter in your battery capacity and fully charge your batteries to set the 100% point. After that the monitor will keep track of your discharge and charging, and display all this information, and give you a percentage of battery capacity you have left.
You can then turn on your generator when the batteries get a point when you want to start charging.

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #36 – January 01, 2017, 06:37:42 pm

@Mike,

I do pretty much the same as Kent but I start my gen at 8:00am run for 2 hours then shutdown. Depending on what we are having for lunch might start the gen to run the microwave then shut down. At 8:00pm start gen to give he batteries a boost before going to bed. You'll need the extra boost for the furnace(s) overnight. Shutdown at 10:00pm.

I don't run the microwave off the inverter. It's a battery killer. If I really need to microwave I start the gen for a few minutes.

The caveat to all this is that it's Quartzite we don't have no stinking rules! If you are cold or hungry and need to start your gen do it. You can apologize later.

see ya
ken

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #37 – January 01, 2017, 07:13:42 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – January 01, 2017, 12:46:27 pm

Sven,

First a question: are you only looking for a "smart charger" or are you wanting to upgrade to an inverter/charger? So, what do you have now. Many inverter chargers in 2000 did include smart chargers

-st
Brett, I checked the PROsine manual and verified that there is a smart multi-stage charger that I was unaware of. Still a lot to learn.... sure beats that Safari we looked at in Liberty!

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #38 – January 01, 2017, 08:49:29 pm

Quote from: Sven and Kristi – January 01, 2017, 07:13:42 pm

-st
Brett, I checked the PROsine manual and verified that there is a smart multi-stage charger that I was unaware of. Still a lot to learn.... sure beats that Safari we looked at in Liberty!

Yup, that Safari was one of the rougher units I have ever inspected. Wise decision to pass on that one.

And, make sure your inverter/charger is properly programmed. Programming includes: Battery type, battery size (amp-hrs) and temperature unless you have the optional battery temperature sensor.

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #39 – January 02, 2017, 08:04:10 am

Mike here is another instrument you may want to consider. I have used two Trimetric units in the past and found them very useful. For my panel in the FT, I chose a Victron instead. After using both, I prefer the 702. Here is a link that has general info but also downloads for more detailed info.

Victron Energy Battery Monitor BMV-702

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #40 – January 02, 2017, 08:22:30 am

If your concerned with annoying your neighbors. If, when you roll in, nobody is around yet camping. Just fire everything up, Genny, stereo, BBQ, etc. That way others won't want to be so close to you that you need to worry about if and when you need to fire up your generator. If another comes in and parks next too you, start the party!

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #41 – January 02, 2017, 08:31:12 am

Quote from: stump – January 02, 2017, 08:22:30 am

Just fire everything up, Genny, stereo, BBQ, etc.

Make sure the stereo is blasting out particularly irritating rap "music" with a bone-jarring deep base thump and liberal use of profanity.

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #42 – January 02, 2017, 09:58:53 am

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – January 02, 2017, 08:31:12 am

Make sure the stereo is blasting out particularly irritating rap "music" with a bone-jarring deep base thump and liberal use of profanity.

Hmm, good idea, we've sure parked next to those folks. The CD we should all carry to drive neighbors nuts would be the most obnoxious song of all time: Iron Butterfly doing "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" I'd buy the special version with the terrible drum solo!

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #43 – January 02, 2017, 10:16:32 am

I beg your pardon ,But Iron Butterfly is not the worst song in history, Anything by this woman is, We're going to get fussed at now for getting off topic,But, .....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swG6Rry9Tss

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #44 – January 02, 2017, 10:39:50 am

After sampling both, I have to go with Stump's entry...

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #45 – January 02, 2017, 11:13:26 am

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – January 02, 2017, 10:39:50 am

After sampling both, I have to go with Stump's entry...

Yup, I agree, that would fry my batteries!

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #46 – January 02, 2017, 02:06:15 pm

Did not like her then and still dont

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #47 – January 02, 2017, 02:34:21 pm

Since the 1970s, I have absolutely loved and listened to Iron Butterfly doing "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" at least 100 times (with the long drum solo). The rest of Iron Butterfly is so-so, so to me, they were a one hit wonder, but.what a wonder it was!

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #48 – January 02, 2017, 05:32:41 pm

No problem with Iron Butterfly or on-board generators (we run ours lots), but those guys in 5th wheels running construction generators 24x7 probably have a death wish...

Re: Batteries @ Q?

Reply #49 – January 02, 2017, 06:00:41 pm

The correct title for the Iron Butterfly tune is "In The Garden Of Eden"

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