Generator for Battery Charger
Submitted: Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 13:43
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Grass Parrot
I need to recharge my batteries whilst camping and was wondering if using one of the cheap 2 hp generators to do this would be ok. I intend to plug my battery charger into the gennie and then connect the charger to the battery. Would this be ok or could I damage my battery by doing so?
Reply By: Member - Porl - Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 13:49
Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 13:49
Well i plug my 4 stage 16 - 25amp/hr charger into my yamaha and it works fine for the batteries.
But mines a yamaha with the pure sine waver inverter.
Spose it comes down to whether the cr#ppy square waver inverter on cheap gennies might hurt your, if you have one, sophisticated electronic battery charger.
AnswerID:
358347
Follow Up By: Grass Parrot - Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 14:03
Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 14:03
Thanks Porl.
Thats the question. I have a 4 stage charger and was thinking of getting a 2hp scorpian generator from repco for $150. Just wondering if I would kill the charger or if it will be ok?
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Follow Up By: Member - Porl - Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 14:18
Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 14:18
Ok, I'm keen to hear the answer to that one too.
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Follow Up By: Honky - Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 15:32
Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 15:32
A GMC 2 stroke Generator killed my 3 stage charger.
A quick $200
Honky
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Follow Up By: Member - Porl - Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 16:04
Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 16:04
Well Honky, that kind of settles it.
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Follow Up By: greybeard - Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 19:14
Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 19:14
a GMC 2 stroke generator hasn't killed my jaycar 4 stage charger.
i did find that loading the generator with a 100W light was needed before the charger would switch from it's 1st to 2nd stage.
so like most questions, it depends.
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626523
Reply By: Member -Dodger - Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 14:10
Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 14:10
If you are only charging a standard type car battery or similar then this genny would be ok provided you purchased a simple (read cheap) battery charger also. Just give the battery a 2hr charge each day or something similar depends on your usage.
Then again if you can rake up the cash a folding 80watt solar panel such as the projecta one that repco sells would be the best method.
AnswerID:
358354
Follow Up By: Grass Parrot - Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 14:15
Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 14:15
Dodger,
Thanks for that. I do have a cheap charger as
well. I was intending to put it on for a couple of hours each day or second day hopefully if weather is not too hot. I am charging deep cycle 100ah battery that runs my fridge. Do you think this will be a problem?
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Follow Up By: Member -Dodger - Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 14:30
Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 14:30
No prblem at all with what you said . The deep cycle battery will appreciate the tickle.
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Reply By: DIO - Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 17:55
Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 17:55
If using a generator to charge batteries I have heard it also pays to plug something with low draw into the AC outlet - perhaps a low wattage light globe on a 'made up' wire and plug. Apparentl;y it helps to stabilise the engine revs. Some battery chargers won't kick in the load actuator.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 18:36
Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 18:36
Thats true for many of the cheap gensets; they either run flat out or throttle back. Neither condition providing the necessary for the charger to operate correctly. Yes, putting some load on the genset will help, especially as the cheepie charger will cut in and out.
FollowupID:
626515
Reply By: Member - Rodney B- Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 18:47
Monday, Apr 06, 2009 at 18:47
Used my GMC charger for about 3 years with a cheap 4 amp charger with no problems. Helps to load it up with a 100 watt lamp to keep the genny from hunting.
Would never use it on my smart charger though and bought a 1 kv Honda for that.
Cheers Rod
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