charging camper batteries from vehicle

[LindellProStaf]

My batteries in my camper charge while I run my truck. When the truck is idling is it doing a good job of charging? Is it comparable to having a separate generator like a Honda?

[LindellProStaf]

I just did some research and it doesn't look like the truck can do much charging of the camper batteries. Just a little bit of a charge.

[upnorth]

If you do more than a long weekend I would suggest a generator and if you don't want to make enemies of your camping neighbors a Honda, Yamaha or one of the other quiet generators would be a good idea.

[Dozer]

I have amp gauges in my fish house and that charges about 8amps when the pcikup is running. Takes a long time to make any charging progress at 8amps.

[Powerstroke]

The charging ability of the truck has several factors. Truck, tow connection relays, trailer charging relays and the inverter.

Another issue with using your truck to charge is the alternator of the truck adjusts its charge based on the demand. If your truck is always trying to charge dead batteries you're gonna burn up the alternator. Its not made to be a battery charger, not to mention your camper batteries are not meant to be charged that quickly.

Your truck is charging your batteries, but it is no replacement for a generator.

[LindellProStaf]

Ya I thought that was to easy. Looks like genny time. Till then I will bring extra batteries from the fish house.

[hamms-scooter]

I take it you're camping where there will be no hookups?

[LindellProStaf]

Just a few times. I will charge everything up before I get there though. Will also bring an extra battery and my booster for good luck.

[Powerstroke]

If you want a generator, then by all means get a genny. If you're not looking to spend $500-2000, then you can buy a second battery. You can also upgrade to two 6v camper batteries and triple your capacity, all for less than a cheap genny. Frankly, I would still look at battery upgrades unless you plan on being the guy running his generator every day.

I guess it depends on how much power you want to draw and how long you want it to last.

[upnorth]

We go for some trips that wind from Friday through the weekend, the week and another weekend. 9 days is pretty hard to make it on just a couple batteries. If you are really really good about conserving and your batteries(regular 12 volt deep cell) are new you might make it. We can make it for 3 or 4 days on our 2 deep cycles when they are fully charged and only up to a couple years old, after that it starts to drop. For the most part we run the generator every 2 days for a couple hours to top off the batteries and not drain them too far down.