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Topic ClosedBattery charging

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Johncmarshjr View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Battery charging
    Posted: 14 Jul 2019 at 5:53pm
When off grid, using the battery, is it ok to recharge the battery by plugging a generator into the shore power outlet?  Is there a better way?
ALICE
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jul 2019 at 6:29pm
Yes, that's fine. Depending on where you camp (in terms of availability of direct sunshine)  and how much energy you use (if you use a lot then its more of a challenge for solar to recharge), solar might be a better way. 
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jul 2019 at 10:08pm
Originally posted by Johncmarshjr

When off grid, using the battery, is it ok to recharge the battery by plugging a generator into the shore power outlet?  Is there a better way?
That is probably the best way to charge the battery fast since the converter will be able to bulk charge the battery/batteries faster than connecting the umbilical to the tow vehicle would. You could use jumper cables from the tow vehicle, but if you have a generator, that is probably better. The down side to a generator is the need to carry it somewhere plus the fuel and oil to run it. Keeping it maintained is important also. The noise is also a big consideration. When you are in a quiet campground and someone fires up a generator, the sound really carries. It is not a way to win friends unless you are providing power for them also. Even inverter generators are only relatively quiet when compared with a non-inverter generator. Any of them would be noticeable in a quiet campground. Plus there may be limited hours when running a generator is permitted, if at all. Check the rules.

If you can get solar, that is good. However, that is depending on if you are in a place where the sun will shine on them. If you are in a wooded area, that is not as feasible. Nor is it if you are likely to have significant cloud cover. You know your situation best.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jul 2019 at 5:38am
Very helpful StephenH.  Thank you.  
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jul 2019 at 3:49pm
No mention of using the TV to charge the battery. That is an alternative solution.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 1:22pm
Originally posted by mcarter

No mention of using the TV to charge the battery. That is an alternative solution.
I did mention plugging the umbilical in or using jumper cables.The jumper cables would work better than the umbilical. However, neither is as good as using a generator plugged in to the shore power connector, but they would work in a pinch.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 6:22pm
Originally posted by mcarter

No mention of using the TV to charge the battery. That is an alternative solution.

Agreed. If I was usually camping with hookups and only rarely boon docked, that is a good option. You already have everything you need to do that so it saves buying and dragging around a genny or solar modules that you use only a few times.

If you're often camping without hookups then its not a great way to go as it uses a lot more fuel and charges slower that a generator would. Solar is the best if it can meet your power needs as its clean and silent, less expensive than a genny, and uses no fuel. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jul 2019 at 6:29pm
+1
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