Charge X 2

[4123]

Hello teardrop people,
I've got a battery charging question. Our Camp-Inn has a built-in 6 amp 12 volt charger that I'm assuming is a tapering charger. I also have a Honda EU 2000 i generator that has a battery charging circuit that puts out 8 amps. What I want to know is this. When I'm running the generator and have the teardrop plugged into the 110 volt circuit, I know that the built-in charger is most likely putting out the 6 (or less depending on the charge already in the battery) amps. If I hook up the 8 amp charging circuit of the Honda directly to the battery in the teardrop at the same time as the internal battery charger is doing its thing, will they combine the charging amps together to a higher value? Or, will they compete with each other? Or, will something burn out? Thanks, Ron

[PaulC]

Why would you even think about putting two battery chargers on the one battery. I'm no electrical guru but I would suggest that one part of the circuit would have a very short life albeit a very spectacular one. Go and have a look here-
http://www.batteryfaq.org/

Cheers
Paul

[4123]

Well....The teardrop will be plugged into the running Honda 2000 generator so we can use the microwave, air, etc. When the generator is connected to the teardrops 110 volt AC circuit to run these things, it supplies voltage to the teardrops built-in charger which will be supplying 6 charging amps to the teardrops internal 12 volt battery as long as the generator is running. The Honda 2000 also has a built-in 8 amp 12 volt DC charging system. So, my question was, why not utilize both charging systems that are available while the generator is running?
Case in point: We just got back from camping, in place, for 7 days. I had to re-charge the battery three times. It takes the Honda generator several hours to re-charge the battery when the teardrop is plugged in using only the teardrops built-in 6 amp charger. So, I'm hoping that using both available systems at the same time, the charge time will be cut in half. [/u]

[Steve_Cox]

I think you should do it and let us know how it turns out.

[Miriam C.]

Maybe a shut off at the 6amp and use the generator while it is running. I don't think I would run both but a call to the nearest reputable battery shop will answer your questions.

Oh yeah and just in case.

[4123]

Good idea Miriam.
I just did that. The battery expert told me that there wouldn't be any problems running multiple chargers as long as they are polarized. However, he also told me that 6 or 8 amps are about the most I would want to pump into an automotive sized battery at one time. More than that creates the possibility of over heating the battery resulting in the loss of fluid due to evaporation. Even sealed batteries can overheat. So, I'll stick with the internal charging system that came with the Camp Inn.

[PaulC]

That was answered in the link I posted with my message.

Paul

[4123]

I gotta say, I read and re-read that link and couldn't find a thing about polarization of multiple chargers or, for that matter, anything about multiple chargers at all.
Did I miss something?

[PaulC]

Okay, I concede on using 2 chargers but it does say this-

9.2.17. Do not recharge batteries directly from a gas or diesel powered generator that does not have regulated DC voltage and most do not. A better approach to recharging batteries is to power a "smart" battery charger with the generator so the batteries are not overcharged or undercharged.

Paul

[Lucky489]

I have a Honda generator and basically you can charge the battery or power the trailer. I see no way to do both on my 1000. You flip a switch for the charger.

Is the 2000 different. I am going to look at my parents 2k when they come home, but the 1000 won't run both.

[PaulC]

Ummmmm...............Hi 4123 I've sent an e-mail to Bill and asked your question for you. When I get an answer, I'll post it here.
Cheers
Paul

[PaulC]

Hi Paul,

I would use only one charger at a time because there are a number of problems of trying to charge in parallel with non-identical chargers. If one is a "smart" microprocessor based charger that is is matched to you battery type, that would would be the one I would use. If one is a not a smart charger, then I would use the one that is voltage regulated that most closely matches the battery type. If they are not regulated, then I would use the 6 amp charger (on AC power) on a timer, so you would not have to run your generator.

Kindest regards,

BiLL.....

[4123]

Thanks Paul & Bill,
I guess I'll just stick with only the charger installed in the Camp-Inn. I was hoping to have less run time on the generator what with all the noise and all.....Maybe I should utilize a second battery mounted in the back of the tow vehicle thats connected in parallel with the battery in the teardrop. I know that would work for longer stays in the woods but ultimately would take even longer to re-charge....
Thanks again, Ron

[brian_bp]

If the desire is to reduce generator run time by charging the battery while the generator is running to provide AC power for other stuff, and the Camp-Inn built-in charger isn't fast enough, the solution is to switch off (or disconnect) the built-in charger, and instead use an ordinary AC-powered smart battery charger (run by the generator, of course). A 15-amp smart charger is a lightweight, compact, and relatively inexpensive thing.

The built-in charger could be permanently disconnected, since the smart charger could be used when on shore power, as well.

There's no way I would consider connecting two chargers to the same battery. If they (the chargers) are dumb enough to not care about the other charger, then they're too dumb to use in combination; one smart charger would be better.

[bluzharp]

The charger with the highest voltage will provide almost all the charge current and the lower one will contribute very little. Multiple chargers on one battery bank need to be carefully balanced to provide load sharing.