Probably a stupid generator question...

[jeffmutch]

Hi Folks,

I bought a used Honda eu2000i generator to use air conditioning while in the boonies. I thought I might as well take advantage of the 12 volt battery charging plug to top off my battery at the same time.

at 650 watts for the a/c and only bringing the battery up from around 80 or 85% full, I don't imagine that I will have a problem with too little power.

My question is whether I need to regulate the voltage of the battery to make sure it doesn't overcharge, or if the generator has a built in voltage regulator so I can leave it on while I take a nap and not worry about overcharging.

I'd have enlisted the help of the owner's manual if the previous owner could find it, and I'd look it up online if my computer would let me download it...

Ebay sells a genuine Honda cable that goes from the 12 Volt recepticle straight to the battery terminals, leading me to believe I'm getting worked up over nothing.

I patiently await your expertise...

-Jeff

[working on it]

Unfamiliar with that particular Honda generator, I only have one question to ask...what is your battery type? If it is a lead-acid, then you'll be ok with straight charging from the generator (if it is anything like my factory direct charging cord- Honda/Craftsman- it'll only give 10 amps). At that rate, it'll charge for hours without overcharging. However, if your battery is AGM or gel, a stand alone charger would be safer, as you can get it to monitor your charge status. I use a stand alone charger, as in my FYI write-up about it http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=55430. Also, even though my genny has two 110v outlets, if I used the direct 12v wire to charge the battery, the other outlets would not function ( an either/or situation).In any case, I would use either a test meter or something to monitor any charging effort (I burnt out a $250 racing battery a few years back, due to charging too fast).

[angryasianguy]

Doing a bit of research on these generators (Thanks Google!) came up with an 8 amp output for the 12 volt section. A better option may be to buy a 110v charger as you should be able to charge it faster. Did you get a manual with it?

Edit: another forum stated that the power regulation for the 12 v output might be less than reliable and a plug I. Charger would allow it to run on eco throttle.

[GuitarPhotog]

You need a separate battery charger. First, you need 13.2 VDC to charge a battery (12 VDC is just nominal voltage), second you need a smart charger to keep from killing your battery by over charging it (and possibly boiling off the liquid).

<Chas>

[Bogo]

None of the Honda Inverter generators with 12VDC output have a regulator on the battery charger. Charging a battery up to around 85% capacity should be fine, but beyond that may be problematic. For a flooded lead acid you'll just need to add water more often, but for a gel or AGM there could be greater damage. If you have a 120VAC to 12VDC converter like they like to put in RVs, you could plug that into the generator and charge a bit faster. Just make sure it's input Watts is lower than the generator's Wattage minus the watt draws of the other loads.

[jeffmutch]

You guys are fast, Thanks.

It is a 110 amp hour lead acid battery from walmart.

no manual because I bought it used off of craigslist. It looks like I'll spend the money for the ac battery charger rather than the 12 volt cable from ebay. Thanks for the input!