Converter, or just a charger.

[Looneytoons]

I've read just about every electrical thread. I learned a lot of technical stuff that will be invaluable.

This question is a little more philosophical. We will be spending 80% to 90% of our time in campsites without electricity hookups. I plan to install a couple of 110vac receptacles just in case.

On the 12 volt side, our only electrical needs will be a few LED interior lights, the fan, the porch lights and the galley light. I guess I might also have the occasional portable DVD player for those rainy afternoons. Do I really need a converter with a three or four stage charger, or do I just need a good three or four stage charger?

Can I run my electrical equipment while the battery is charging on those rare occasions where we have an electrical hookup?

From a price standpoint however, it looks like a converter, with a built in power center, is not much more expensive than the cost of all the fuse boxes etc. required for just the charger. However, it looks like it will take up a lot more room.

I would appreciate your thoughts.

[TPMcGinty]

I have one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RV-trailer-American-2000-POWER-CONVERTER-12-volt-NEW_W0QQitemZ350265334582QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories?hash=item518d70db36

It works fine, does everything, and isn't very expensive.

[len19070]

It sounds like your needs are about the same as mine.

I very rarely go where there's 110VAC available.

I would look more into charging your battery from you tow vehicle than anything else.

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... sc&start=0

As long as your towing your trailer, your battery is getting charged.

If it goes dead while camping just plug it back into the tow vehicle and start the engine for 10-15 minuets.

And for those rare occasions when you do have 110VAC just get a trickle charger.

Happy Trails

Len

[Steve_Cox]

It seems Len has the perfect solution to your style of camping

[Lgboro]

A solar array would be useful to supplement charging by the tow vehicle if your budget allows.

[asianflava]

A solar array would be useful to supplement charging by the tow vehicle if your budget allows.

You wouldn't believe how many perfectly good solar panels we throw away at work.

In my tear, I just have a charger. When AC is available, I plug it in and it keeps the battery topped off. My AC outlets in the tear only work when I'm plugged into shore power, otherwise it's all 12V DC.

[Looneytoons]

Thanks for the suggestions.

The only problem I see with charging from the car is that there is no way to keep the battery at full charge when left sitting for severl weeks without use. I understand that the battery will charge as I'm driving but shouldn't the battery be maintained at full charge to prolong battery life?

I can get this
http://www.progressivedyn.com/110145_PD4000_Manual.pdf
for about $140. If my calculations are correct, it would cost just about the same amount to buy a good three or four stage charger, and all the other necessary parts, i.e. fuse blocks, grounding bars etc., that are included in the converter.

I'm I correct or am I missing something?

[Toytaco2]

I decided to use a CTEK 7000 charger. Its a multi-stage "smart charger" that can be left plugged in full time if you want. You can use the 12 volt electrics in your trailer at the same time the battery is being charged. It also has something called a "supply mode" which allows you to run your 12 volt stuff even when no battery is connected. I found mine on Ebay for $80 (a lot less than some other places) and I couldn't be happier with it. Check it out:

http://www.summitracing.com/search/Brand/CTEK/Product-Line/CTEK-Power-Multi-US-7002-Battery-Chargers/?autoview=SKU

CTEK User's Manual:
http://www.ctek.com/Manuals/US7000_EN.pdf

[eamarquardt]

A solar array would be useful to supplement charging by the tow vehicle if your budget allows.

You wouldn't believe how many perfectly good solar panels we throw away at work.

I, for one, am not at all to proud to "dumpster dive". So, were are the dumpsters located at your work or how else can I get one (or perhaps a couple) of these good solar panels.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Your new friend.

Gus

[eamarquardt]

I looked at the web site for one of the converters recommended. Seems like they are pretty expensive.

I owned a boat for years and had a marine battery charger that would keep 4 batteries properly charged at dockside and allowed use with the charger connected and powered up.

I don't see any need for a converter that can power 20 or more amps when you have a good deep cycle battery in the circuit. You (or at least me) rarely use the full capacity of these units. A 10 amp charger and with the battery in the circuit to handle those short periods of time when you do need a bit more power always worked for me on the boat. In fact, although I had three batteries on the boat, my pattern was to only keep one "on line" while away from the dock. The other two were for EMERGENCIES only (a wise habit when you can't hand crank or push start your diesel engine, IMHO). I sometimes went for a two or three days at a time only running the engine for about 20 minutes in the evening to generate enough hot water (the hot water was created using a heat exchanger from the cooling system on the engine) for showers! If you keep it simple (we only used a few lights, occasionally the VHF radio, no appliances save the on demand water pump, the solenoid for the propane (a safety feature on a boat), and in those days a small crt TV and vhs player) and NEVER fully discharged the one battery that I had switched into the main power bus.

I'd recommend a marine charger (good ones that will multi stage charge 2 separate batteries are about a hundred bucks) that can keep your batteries up at home and in a campground with a/c. Of course a good solar panel will keep your battery up when a/c is not available but might not provide enough power (depending upon the size of your panel and how many amp hours you use each day) for extended use (week or maybe more) but would probably keep you going for several days before your battery would be discharged and by then you'd probably have your trailer connected to your tow vehicle and charging the battery on the go anyway.

In short, if you keep it simple, don't try to run fans for extended periods (or heaters or a/c units) a 100 amp hour battery and 5 or 6 amps of charging current for a few hours each day would work just fine (IMHO and based upon my experince with a cruising sailboat).

There you have it (again), the world according to Gus.

Cheers,

Gus

[len19070]

Thanks for the suggestions.

The only problem I see with charging from the car is that there is no way to keep the battery at full charge when left sitting for severl weeks without use. I understand that the battery will charge as I'm driving but shouldn't the battery be maintained at full charge to prolong battery life?

I can get this
http://www.progressivedyn.com/110145_PD4000_Manual.pdf
for about $140. If my calculations are correct, it would cost just about the same amount to buy a good three or four stage charger, and all the other necessary parts, i.e. fuse blocks, grounding bars etc., that are included in the converter.

I'm I correct or am I missing something?

I think your getting ready to spend a lot of money.

A trickle or Float charger hooked up while in storage will do the same thing. If that concerns you.

And will take care of your 12VDC needs if you camp with 110VAC (in conjunction with your battery).

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=42292



My only charge system is when towing and my trailer sits for some extended time. The TV charge line always brings it back up.


Happy Trails

Len

[bdosborn]

In short, if you keep it simple, don't try to run fans for extended periods (or heaters or a/c units) a 100 amp hour battery and 5 or 6 amps of charging current for a few hours each day would work just fine (IMHO and based upon my experince with a cruising sailboat).

What he said. The PD charger is way more charger than you'll need Besides, most battery manufacturers recommend 1/10 the battery amp-hour rating as a maximum charge current (Google c10 charge rate). I've been using my 5 amp promariner charger for 4 years now:

Charger Clicky

Bruce