Battery Chargers - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Team Murc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Battery Chargers

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

if you are getting it to use for simple maintenance or trickle charging your chassis battery that would be pricey........also it would not be useful for house batteries without isolating each battery durring charge.

if it is size you need for long term chassis.......either a small marine charger/conditioner or a small solar unit .

if it is for both long term and Emergency starts....I would make sure it has battery start/boost capabilities.

IMHO......I always buy my tools to give me all options when available........start/ boost on a charger has saved me alot of headaches and a few neighbors here and there .

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you've ever considered getting a generator for your RV when you are without power, consider a generator that also will charge batteries. While our portable generator is pretty large (Honda EU3000IS), Honda also makes smaller ones that include the charger. I'm not sure, but I think that the Yamaha generators may also have that ability.

Terry

Team Murc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Terry,

Great point! Actually a generator is next on the list for research disbelief so now I'm thinking that I might have to combine both at the same time. YIKES system overload

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mike and Anne,

I just did a quick look at both the Yamaha and Honda websites. Even their 1000 series generators are capable of charging batteries with a cable that is included. (Well, at least Honda's cables are included.)

Depending on how much power you would need, the 1000's, 2000's, and 3000's are each set up that one can hook two identical ones together and double one's wattage and amperage with the use of a parallel kit (extra cost for that kit). I know of a few folks that have like two 2000 series units because they are lighter than the 3000 series units. Just as an idea of capability, a Honda EU3000IS is rated to run one air conditioner plus a few lights.

If and when we get serious about traveling, we will either have to watch where we stay during what seasons or buy a second EU3000IS to parallel if we want enough power to run all we have in our coach.

This last summer, we had issue with power here in the small mobile home park we are in when the supply lines developed an open neutral. Our 50 amp socket showed 150 watts on one leg and 105 watts on the second. Until they got that open neutral fixed, we had to run on our Honda. Fortunately, the temperatures were in the 80's so we had no real need for either a/c or heat.

Terry

Team Murc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry,

Wow great information! Do you know anything about "Boliy" gererators. I understand they are conciderably less expensive than the Honda's.

How about noise levels? Is this a question of "you get what you pay for"??

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Read alot of reviews on the Boiley gens..........no major complaints anymore outside of wiring coming loose during shipping......super quite.

just google boliy gen complaints and read .....not bad .....company is right up there keeping up with customer needs

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

It all depends on your goals. In this response I am assuming one wants to charge an RV battery bank consisting of at least 2 "typical" RV batteries.

First, a question: What is wrong with using the included inverter/charger or converter for charging? That is what it is intended for.

Next....no portable generator that I am aware of has what I would consider a suitable DC battery charging output. All of them have very minimal output - on the order of 5-8+ DC amps. Which is not going to charge much of a bank. Conversely, the typical RV converter has at least 45 amps of DC charging capability. So the proper way to look at the "problem" is to use your converter and drive it with a generator of some sort if shore power is not available. If your converter is not a three stage charger then I would upgrade the converterr to a three-stage version. Usually you can just add that "feature".

For trickle charging in storage, if power is available I'd look carefully at a Batteryminder. For trickle charging in storage where power is not available I like the solar-driven Batteryminder. I'd buy my own panel and use their "controller" that does desulfation.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

The original poster did not specify that the charger was for their "house" batteries, but just about a battery charger. I will agree that the converter would be the best way to recharge the "house" batteries as it is a better charger. Those would thus be charged by utilizing a generator to power the RV. If the OP's thought was for possible vehicle batteries, then Jack is right that most of the generators will only charge at 8 amps, so it would be good for those batteries.

That is why I like the generator idea in that I can either charge house batteries by plugging the RV to the generator, or I can carry the generator to a vehicle and charge that battery via the 12V charging output. With the Hondas, I know they come with a 12V charger cable, so I suspect that the Yamaha's do as well. Not sure about the Boily generators as I've not considered them. I've not considered them because they are made in China. (Or so I've heard or read somewhere.)

Terry

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

A standard battery charger will not charge the house batteries correctly unless you disconnect each one and charge them individually.......if you leave them in series the charger only recognizes 1 load and corresponding amperage for 1 battery and will shut down early.....you will be left with only a half charged bank

Kountryguy · RV-Dreams Community Member

In regard to a Boliy generator, I just purchased one with a remote control. Shortly after getting it, had a small problem with it surging. Called where I bought it,(Bottom Line Trading) and they gave me a number to call who assisted me troubleshooting the unit for about 45 min late on a Friday afternoon. We determined the problem, a part was sent to where I was located and after installing if, I have been very satisfied. It is quiet, easily handled and fits nicely in the back of the truck under my fiver.

tibbar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kountryguy - we also bought a Boliy from the same place but picked it up at their place of business since we live in Austin. We got the 4 way remote and extra gas tank set up that was installed by the guy in Florida. Now all we have to do is use it....short trial usage one day had everything working fine, I hope to love the unit.