Re: Battery Question II

wwemu@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
On Fri, 03 Mar 2006 12:24:04 -0700, Gio <giomedici@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

wwemu@xxxxxxxxx wrote:


If I have it right (?) ..... apparently the better battery chargers
put out about 70-80 amps, as do the alternators on RV engines. Is
the major downside to using the RV engine for charging the
relative cost of the fuel? Do the same rules regarding charge
stages apply?

Thanks, Gio.

Gio,

Remember that the alternator is normally a single stage charging
system. That means that it does not adjust its charging rate
according to the needs of the battery such as a three stage
charging system does. A single stage charging system normally only
charges the battery to about 85% of capacity without boiling the
electrolyte. To get a 100% charge and extended battery life, you
need a three stage charger. I have never seen an RV with a three
stage charging system that includes the alternator unless it was
added after market. In fact, most RVs only have a single stage
charging system, period. Three stage systems are available but you
will probably have to add the modification yourself.

George

So is it OK to use the alternator as a bulk charger in camp, the only
drawback being somewhat lower battery life? Or is this an undesirable
strain on the alternator too?

Gio

Gio
Gio,

Normally, the alternator will only put out maximum amperage for a
short period of time. And it takes an rpm higher than idle to
accomplish that. The biggest problem is that the voltage regulator
usually samples the charge (voltage) of the engine batteries and will
decrease the output when the engine battery is charged, leaving the
house batteries still in their discharged state. You will not be
getting that "bulk charge" from the alternator that you think.

In an emergency, you can use the engine alternator to charge the house
batteries but it will be a slow process, taking much longer.

there are several other ways you can get the batteries charged. One of
the best would be to get a small generator like the Honda 1000i and a
good battery charger. That would give you the fastest charge with the
least cost and least time.

Someone else gave you a web sight that has good information. Another
is: <www.amplepower.com> You need to read all you can find on living
on 12 volt power. It is a rather complex subject and there are many
different ways to accomplish it. But first you need to have a REAL
good understanding of electricity, or pay someone who has the
knowledge to design a system for you.

Hope this helps,

George

That isn't my experience with using the alternator to charge house
batteries. My MH has a battery isolator, which senses which battery needs
charging the most. Since the engine battery is usually at a high state of
charge from being on the road and not used when at a campground, my
experience is that when I start the engine up to charge the house batteries,
the house batteries are serviced very quickley and since the alternator is
130 amps, the charging time is under ten minutes.

--
Frank Howell
www.fphowell.com


.

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