wheel house battery charging?

[arcticcat400]

I am going to buy 2 new deep cycle batteries for my wheel house and was thinking about buying an onboard charger. I have an off brand non inverter generator and was wonderingif this would work or if the generator would damage the on board charger? Just curious what everyone else is doing for theirs? Thanks any help is appreciated

[3pronghook]

I use a battery tender. don't remember brand it is. I keep it plugged in and hooked up to the battery for a continuous 2amp charge. it has auto shutoff. I do use a Honda 1000i generator so not sure what to say about using a regular generator? good luck

[Whoaru99]

I don't think the generator will damage the charger unless the generator output voltage is way off spec.

Myself, I'd look at larger chargers, 10-15A per bank, for faster recovery when you're running the generator. 30A battery charging sounds like a lot but is probably only 4A, give or take, draw on the generator.

[JRB fishing]

I just purchased a onboard charger like i have in my boat and put a outlet by the batterys and charger. I leave it plugged in and when the generator is running it charges the batterys. I have two batterys and clips i can move from battery to the other if i dont have my generator along.

[SM1]

Myself, I'd look at larger chargers, 10-15A per bank, for faster recovery when you're running the generator. 30A battery charging sounds like a lot but is probably only 4A, give or take, draw on the generator.

This makes no sense to me, or the guys at the tool crib who I was talking to about buying a Honda 2000 generator. The honda 2000 says 13.3 amp total maximum output. If I'm running 3 batts on a 10 amp/bank charger that sure seems like it would certainly max out the generator and would generally not see the max benefit of a 30a or 10a/bank charger. For that reason I was planning to get a minnkota 315 or 5a/ bank charger. I would like faster charging time but do not want to lug around anything larger that a Honda 2000 in general for ice fishing.

If I'm not understanding this correctly I be more than happy to be informed.

[Pat K]

13.3 amps at 120 volts ac is 1596 watts. Well within the range of you 2000 watt generator.

30amps at 12 volt dc is 360 watts. Less than 25% of the output of your generator. Granted it will take more than 360 watt input to get 360 watt output it still won't put any strain on the generator.

[SM1]

Ok then. Looks like I can go with a 10a/bank charger. Good to know.

[Grainbelt]

I use two 30a smart chargers with a Honda eu2000. Like posted earlier, shorter recharge time with no problem for the Honda.

[mmartin]

Get an inverter/converter/charger. The one I got has a multi stage charging cycle. It can either fast charge or trickle. It also has 12v fused circuits and 3 120V circuits. was $100.

[alumacraft3]

I have a Honda EU inverter 2000i. If I buy say a 1 or 2 bank on board charger like you find on a boat and have my generator running and am charging 2 batteries with it will it max out my generator enough that I wouldn't be able to run my tv or lights or will there be plenty of juice left?

[Grainbelt]

I run my led TV, 2 cfl bulb lights and charge up my flasher batteries while running the 30a chargers. No problem.

[Pat K]

I have a Honda EU inverter 2000i. If I buy say a 1 or 2 bank on board charger like you find on a boat and have my generator running and am charging 2 batteries with it will it max out my generator enough that I wouldn't be able to run my tv or lights or will there be plenty of juice left?

On an annual fishing trip we have 3 boats. A 2 bank/10amp per bank charger in my boat, a 3 bank with two 10amp and one 5 amp bank and the third boat has a single 6 amp charger. With a 1000 watt Honda we can charge any 2 boats at the same time but not all 3 at the same time.

[BobT]

The thing to keep in mind is that when you are charging your batteries, make sure you completely charge them rather than partially charging them. One of the hardest things on a battery is to be in storage at a less than full charge, especially if it is subjected to temperature extremes and particularly where it could freeze.

[Chad Holst]

Rather than buy an onboard charger, or an inverter or a....

I would call one of the house companies and ask them about their "converters". I was going to do the same thing as you, as we are building a house, but after talking to the people at the ice show... One of these house converters is the way to go. it charges the batteries off of a 110 input (house or generator) While charging, it also runs your 110 AND 12v in the house. When the power supply is shut off, it then runs your 110 and 12v off the battery. The best part, its way cheaper than a single onboard charger and an inverter. I think the 55 amp service from american supply was only $165. The 35 was $135 i think.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Got a link for that? Curious, as the only converter/inverter combos I found were a lot more expensive. If it does invert to 110, that is for sure the way to go for the $.

[Whoaru99]

Yeah, same here.

The only converters I've seen in that price range convert 120 to battery voltage for operating the 12V accessories and for battery charging, but don't invert battery to 120V.

The charger/inverters I've seen are, as you say, quite a bit more $$; $300-400 and up.

[Whoaru99]

I have a Honda EU inverter 2000i. If I buy say a 1 or 2 bank on board charger like you find on a boat and have my generator running and am charging 2 batteries with it will it max out my generator enough that I wouldn't be able to run my tv or lights or will there be plenty of juice left?

I think the question has already been answered, but, just in case not, there will be plenty of juice left.

Running a two-bank 10A charger at full tilt I'd estimate at around 350 watts from the generator so you will have plenty left.

[B-man715]

Yeah, same here.

The only converters I've seen in that price range convert 120 to battery voltage for operating the 12V accessories and for battery charging, but don't invert battery to 120V.

The charger/inverters I've seen are, as you say, quite a bit more $$; $300-400 and up.

x3

[jsr426hemi]

I purchased a new 30 amp converter for $90 from a rv surplus site on a popular auction site. I have seen them go for the starting price of $39 but others were bidding on the one I was watching and I am not a patient person. It is the same type like in my travel trailer. Hook up an ac input and batteries. When ac is plugged in from either a generator or other source it will charge the batteries. It also has a few ac breakers and many dc fuses so everything is protected. I also purchased a 1200 watt inverter to convert dc to ac when I don't have the generator with me. It will power outlets for the TV, dish, charge flasher batteries and run my ac powered auger. I will have an on/off switch when I choose to use the inverter or generator. All in all I will have spent $175 for a converter/inverter setup.

[SM1]

Jsr- that sounds like the way to go with a converter and inverter setup. How about an on board charger? From the people I have spoke with about converters, it doesn't sound like they charge a battery very quick at all. I have seen no info in charging amps on the converters. I'm thinking of also having a 10a per bank charger for faster charging with the intent of not having to constantly run a generator.

Seems like with 3 good batteries and a generator to charge them( and also run the 110 in the house at the same time) that you would not necessarily need a converter?