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Topic: Charging House batteries with the generator. (Read 802 times) previous topic - next topic

Charging House batteries with the generator.

So I finally got my generator running.
I let my house batteries go down to 60 percent to see if the generator would change them and how quickly they would charge.
I waited about 1/2 hour and there was no change.
Now I did have lithium batteries installed several months ago but never was able to see if they could be charged this way.
I do have a separate charger the I plug in by itself. And my engine charges them through the alternator and my BIM.
They told me to turn the inverter / charger breaker by the bed, off.
How does the generator charge the house batteries.?
Rick & MJ Berry
1998 U320 40'
Ohio

Re: Charging House batteries with the generator.

Reply #1 –
The only way the generator can charge your batteries is with a inverter/charger, or some other charging source that is connected to the 110 volt system powered by your generator. I'm curious why they " who was they" told you to turn of your on Board charger/ inverter. If it was the folks that repaired your generator, I doubt they have a clue about how you coach works with respect to battery charging. Try turning the breaker to you inverter charger back on and make sure your charger is turned on
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Charging House batteries with the generator.

Reply #2 –
It was the maker of the battery.  I had them install it.
So if I get the lithium battery charger plugged into the on board 110 volt system that would charge the batteries when the generator is running?
They told me always make sure that breaker must be off because it would destroy the batteries.
I didn't get inverter charger specifically for these batteries.  Either I was mislead thinking I could use my current one or I just wasn't informed enough with the process.
I don't remember them saying anything about the inverter.
So when they came to do the install they just brought a small charger which I plug in shore power.
However I do have an electrician coming that is going to wire it to the 110 side. So when I plug in to shore power it will automatically charge.
Rick & MJ Berry
1998 U320 40'
Ohio

Re: Charging House batteries with the generator.

Reply #3 –
Quote from: bbeane –
If it was the folks that repaired your generator, I doubt they have a clue about how you coach works with respect to battery charging.

And from the original poster 18360: "Now I did have lithium batteries installed several months ago but never was able to see if they could be charged this way.
I do have a separate charger the I plug in by itself."

Dear Bruce, what are the charging voltages for a Lithium battery?
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Charging House batteries with the generator.

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Old Toolmaker –
And from the original poster 18360: "Now I did have lithium batteries installed several months ago but never was able to see if they could be charged this way.
I do have a separate charger the I plug in by itself."

Dear Bruce, what are the charging voltages for a Lithium battery?

Equalize setting needs to and must be "off".  Also temp setting should be "off" if possible.

From Battle Born web site for 12V system:  "We recommend a bulk and absorption voltage of 14.4V. A float is unnecessary, since Li-ion batteries do not leak charge, but a floating voltage under 13.6V is fine."
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Charging House batteries with the generator.

Reply #5 –
If your inverter charger has adjustable settings then all you need to do is change the settings to be within the parameters given for charging by Battle Born batteries.  I have been using my inverter charger to charge my Battle Born batteries for over a year now. 
2002 36' U270 Foretravel

Re: Charging House batteries with the generator.

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Jack L –

From Battle Born web site for 12V system:  "We recommend a bulk and absorption voltage of 14.4V. A float is unnecessary, since Li-ion batteries do not leak charge, but a floating voltage under 13.6V is fine."
Rick post what kind of inverter you have and someone here should be able to walk you through the system menu to show you how to make sure the charger is on.  You should be able to access the menu through the panel mounted inside the coach.  I have a mid entry and it is located to left of my door.  On my menu you just use the arrow keys to highlight the Inverter or charger and enable them or disable them.  Jack already has the charge settings for you above.

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Charging House batteries with the generator.

Reply #7 –
I have Briter lithium batteries.
I have a hart freedom inverter charger i think.
Rick & MJ Berry
1998 U320 40'
Ohio

Re: Charging House batteries with the generator.

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Jack L –
Equalize setting needs to and must be "off".  Also temp setting should be "off" if possible.

From Battle Born web site for 12V system:  "We recommend a bulk and absorption voltage of 14.4V. A float is unnecessary, since Li-ion batteries do not leak charge, but a floating voltage under 13.6V is fine."

So you can use a lead acid smart charger just so long as it doesn't equalize or stir the electrolyte.  Which means no to the PD 9200/9100 series since they can't be programmed.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Charging House batteries with the generator.

Reply #9 –
I don't know if the Heart has the same issue as my Magnum but, due to the higher nominal voltage of the lithium batteries, the charger defaults to float mode and charges very slowly.  Even with a heavily discharged battery, it see's enough voltage to think it's fully charged.  I have to manually change it to bulk mode each time I connect the shoreline or start the generator if I want it to charge at full speed.  Magnum says it can only be fixed by buying the newest version of their remote controller.  Maybe the Heart is also defaulting to float mode?

Re: Charging House batteries with the generator.

Reply #10 –
Quote from: 18360 –
I have Briter lithium batteries.
I have a hart freedom inverter charger i think.

Beamalarm shows you have Heart Freedom 2500. Do you have original Heart Freedom manual?

1998 Foretravel U320 Specifications

If you have the following Freedom, see your manual or see the following pdf of the manual.  I would set to 12 Volt Gel Cell Cold Temperature setting, as it has equalization off with highest bulk setting and float setting. 

With this setting the bulk and equalize will be 14.1 and the float is 13.6. 
While this setting is not perfect, it is the best for your installed inverter/charger. Perfect would be 14.2-14.4 and so this setting is just fine.

The wet cell settings have equalization and may hurt your lithiums.

See page 17 of following manual for above 12v Gel cold temperature defaults.  See page 30-31 for dip switch settings, 1-8.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Charging House batteries with the generator.

Reply #11 –
So if you if you plug or hard wire your lithium charger to the coaches 110 system that will charge any time 110 volt is available from any source.  You will still need to turn the breaker on for the inverter/ charger, or you will not have any inverter. With that said just made sure the charger setting is off, as described in the link that Jack posted.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Charging House batteries with the generator.

Reply #12 –
A better fix would be to install a later magnum inverter which beyond being full wave output it also can auto start in bulk mode with the use of its additional ME- ARC remote panel and then has no wired in  time limit to its bulk charge.  At least I think that's how it's capable of working with the newer technology.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Charging House batteries with the generator.

Reply #13 –
I'll stick with AGM batteries
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Charging House batteries with the generator.

Reply #14 –
So you spend money for lithium ion batteries, but don't have a proper charger for them. The first thing you need to do is put in a proper inverter charger. Do not mess with trying to make an old inverter make do because it could damage or ruin your batteries. There are could an inverter chargers out there that will accommodate lithium batteries. Victron multiplus it's the one that I use and many others. Well it's not cheap neither were those batteries. Seriously do yourself a favor make sure you are able to charge them properly.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Charging House batteries with the generator.

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Jack L –
With this setting the bulk and equalize will be 14.1 and the float is 13.6. 
While this setting is not perfect, it is the best for your installed inverter/charger. Perfect would be 14.2-14.4 and so this setting is just fine.

The wet cell settings have equalization and may hurt your lithiums.

See page 17 of following manual for above 12v Gel cold temperature defaults.  See page 30-31 for dip switch settings, 1-8.

As I said, the above settings will be fine.

As Bob said, replacement of your inv/chrgr should be a "huge" consideration. The first update I did when acquiring my FT was to update the 21 year old inverter/charger to a sine wave unit with a more modern, multi stage charger with temperature control.  The above features are "huge".

97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan