Charging batteries with a generator

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Originally Posted by Skiboy

Hi Adam
An alternative I have been looking - (I have similar problem to you and yet to decide on the solution) - is to use a petrol powered alternator to charge your AGM aux batteries (as these take a fast charge - forget normal deep cycle - also they don't let off hydrogen gas).

There is a company called Christie Engineering - web site http://www.christieengineering.com.au/2.5hp.htm that sells a 55amp Alternator coupled to a 2.5 hp Honda motor. It puts out a DC charge. Basically similar to running your vehicle to charge the batteries.

I am told by the guys at Christie (I have been on the phone and email to them this week - they are in Sydney but have distributors around the country) that 1 hr of their charger should top up a AGM to full each day.

Cost $890 to $990 depending on model.

Advantage over solar is that work when no sun (rain etc). Also not need to do all the storage and transport of delicate panels.

I am considering on of these for use when doing 1-2 week largely stationary camping (ie no regular 5 hr drives to charge the deep cycle battery.

If you want to see some good notes on the technical side there is a great site by Fridge and Solar at http://www.fridge-and-solar.net/info.htm
I have read all this and largely it parallels what Drivesafe has said already.

Anyway will be interested to see what you decide as not 100% sure yet myself.

The only thing I wonder is why can’t I set up the SC80 to charge the trailer mounted battery and leave it for an hour? I assume the answer is that it does not put out 55amps? So can’t one increase the Alternator in the vehicle to ensure this stuff charges faster when vehicle going?

My set up I am looking at one deep cycle in 4x4 and 2x100 amp hr AGMs on trailer. I want to run a couple of fluros, shower pump and a 50L fridge possibly on freeze. We also have a gas fridge for other food/drink. I want to be able to camp for several days (say a week or two camp) – even when cloudy/raining – and not have to worry about the fridge draining the battery.

Initially I thought solar but I am not convinced I can get enough charge for a reasonable price. And I don’t want to be caught out!. Hence my interest in the Christie DC charger as it would mean we can charge without having to move.

Interested in views of others before $ change hands.

Keith

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i made one of these years ago cause i could and it was easy as

i just got a old victor mower engine mounted it on a bit of steel then mounted a alternator to the steel and i used a fan belt of a holden had a battery connected to it
it worked a treat i ran head lights on poles for lighting when camping

maybe walker being as handy as he has shown could do the same unless he has too much cash that he needs to get rid of :D

Yeah yeah...thanks mate :p

No, I don't have to much cash. I did consider making one...and still might a little down the track, I was going to use the motor from an old whipper Snipper I have. But I can't be stuffed at the moment, the trailer is taking all my time. The other thing is I would rather have a 4 stroke motor so will look into it next year.

Adam, just one more thing, i have around 8 12v outlets in the camper, 4 at the rear for the lights/pump or other devices and 4 in the front inside the tent section for lights and 12v TV/Laptop DVD all connected to 1 battery that we mounted on the front right side in a alloy checker plate box.

The solar panel is a 10 Watt Supercrap one, we got it on special for $69, i think they retail for $110, the battery is an el-cheapo lead acid deepcycle that is now 2 1/2yrs old and our average stays at camps is around 5 days, 2 days here 3 days there 5 days over there and sometimes only travelling 2 to 5 hours to the next camp.

We like to base camp and explore, as i mentioned 10 days is the longest we've stayed in one spot, if we go away for 2 weeks we normally move once, 3 weeks twice spending up to a week in one spot at a time, minimum is 2 days preferably 3 days.

We only do overnighters if going to a spot or going home and maybe a play weekend of 4wheeling close to home, but try to make it a 2 nighter if we can by leaving early friday arvo, it makes it more relaxing having all day saturday to do what you want and pack up sunday arvo after lunch around 2 or 3 o'clock.

I believe in the KISS method;) cause i ain't no electronic expert by a long shot

Oh and make sure you have plenty of pics of the trailer too:thumbsup:

Baz.