generator charging question

[kevfish1]

I have a 1000 watt generator. When I attempt to charge the batteries in my fish house it runs the charger, but only charges the batteries to about 60 percent. Or about to 12.5 volts. I have tried a differnt charger and get the same results. When I plug the charger in at home it does charge them to 100 percent.

Anyone know why this happens. Is this too small of generator to get the job done?

[randallt]

First thought is you aren't charging long enough, but if that is not the case the my guess is you need a bigger generator.

[kevfish1]

Charging plenty long enough. It just gets up to 60 some percent and dont go any higher. I would think a 1000 watt generator would do it but I dont know much about it.

[svonasek]

I fought this problem all of last season. I was using a cheap 1000 watt generator and a digital battery charger. It would never make it to 70%.

I believe the cheap generators voltage fluctuates too much for the digital chargers. I bought a Honda 1000 this year and it charges no problem now.

[kevfish1]

Well my generator is also a cheap one so this may indeed be the issue. I will have to plug into someone elses out on the lake and tewst this theory out.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Is it an inverter generator?

My truck battery went dead last winter so I plugged the charging cables into the generator (2000 watt). It ran for about 2 hours on the truck, without charging it up enough to start. For giggles, I kicked it up to high RPMs, and within 10 minutes it had enough juice to start. If it is an inverter, give it a try.

[Dogzlife000]

I too agree that it's likely the generator (clipped modified sine wave). To test, check voltage while charging with the gen and again while charging with house current.