Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 

Go Back   Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum > Hi-Lo Tech > Electrical Systems, Charging and Solar
Click Here to Login
Register FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Log in

Electrical Systems, Charging and Solar Electrical components and wiring, batteries, charging systems, generators and solar topics.
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-12-2015, 01:20 PM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: pacifica, ca
Posts: 37
Default Recharging with generator

Hi..I have a 2008 1508t and a Honda 2000ie generator.
How do I tell when to recharge the system with the generator and how long to run the generator but avoid overcharging?

Any advice appreciated
__________________

DennisB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2015, 01:48 PM   #2
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,690
Default

If you plug the Shore Power cord into the generator, it will charge any time the generator is running and will not overcharge the battery since the converter reduces the charging current and voltage as the full state charge is reached.

If you use the battery for anything, It would be beneficial to charge the battery daily.

I bought one of those "Watt Meter" devices and connected the Shore Power cord to it and then it into the generator. When starting, the Wattige would be above 200, but would quickly start dropping. I'd usually disconnect the generator when the Wattage read 70-80 Watts.

- Jack
__________________

__________________
Hi-Lo 1707T - Tire Minder TPMS on Tow Vehicle and Trailer, 300W Solar Battery Charger, Equal-i-zer WDH, Progressive Dynamics Converter, Fan-Tastic Fan, LiFePO4 battery 12V DC Electrical System, SoftStartRV mounted on A/C
2024 F150 Platinum FX4 3.5L PowerBoost SCrew
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2015, 02:40 PM   #3
Moderator
 
RichR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NW PA
Posts: 3,386
Default

When the voltage on the battery with nothing turned on goes below 12.0 volts it is time to recharge. Deep cycle batteries must be constantly monitored in order to preserve their life.

Here is a two part article that tells you about everything you need to know about batteries and 12 volt systems.

The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)

and

The 12volt Side of Life Part 2
__________________
My Great Wife Joyce
2018 Jayco Jay Flight 21QB
Formerly owned 1705T and 2310H
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU
RichR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2015, 03:31 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Luckydog671's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Tehachapi Mountains, Calif.
Posts: 817
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RichR View Post
When the voltage on the battery with nothing turned on goes below 12.0 volts it is time to recharge. Deep cycle batteries must be constantly monitored in order to preserve their life.

Here is a two part article that tells you about everything you need to know about batteries and 12 volt systems.

The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)

and

The 12volt Side of Life Part 2
Great articles Rich!

Here is a good resource as well:

http://www.amazon.com/Managing-12-Vo.../dp/0964738627
__________________
Greg
2004 4x4 Chevy Tahoe
Former owner of a 2407T
Luckydog671 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2015, 03:51 PM   #5
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: pacifica, ca
Posts: 37
Default

Thank you very much for the replies. I heard that Walmart has a device that plugs into the cigarette lighter of the trailer that will read the battery power.
Anybody know what that device might be called. I went to Walmart and couldn't find it and the guy there didn't know what I was talking about
DennisB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2015, 04:29 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Luckydog671's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Tehachapi Mountains, Calif.
Posts: 817
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DennisB View Post
Thank you very much for the replies. I heard that Walmart has a device that plugs into the cigarette lighter of the trailer that will read the battery power.
Anybody know what that device might be called. I went to Walmart and couldn't find it and the guy there didn't know what I was talking about
Hi Dennis,

Try this on Amazon. I recently purchased one and it works great!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o08_s00
__________________
Greg
2004 4x4 Chevy Tahoe
Former owner of a 2407T
Luckydog671 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2015, 05:57 PM   #7
Moderator
 
RichR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NW PA
Posts: 3,386
Default

This is what Walmart sells online, it's the same as what Amazon shows.
Equus Innova 3721 Battery and Charging System Monitor - Walmart.com
__________________
My Great Wife Joyce
2018 Jayco Jay Flight 21QB
Formerly owned 1705T and 2310H
2012 F150 4X4 SuperCrew EcoBoost w/Leer Cap
Reese WD Strait-Line Hitch
Amateur Radio K3EXU
RichR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 12:00 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: reno, nv
Posts: 406
Default

While the cigarette lighter plug-in is very useful info.
Spend the same or a small amount more and get a multi-tester instead. You can use it at the battery. You can use it at the cig plug in. you can use it for checking for resistance, where there might be a short. You can check amp usage, etc,etc.

I have a cigarette plug-in inside of my trlr. I use it to run my Ipod. I don't believe that a cig plug-in is standard in a hi-lo.

Is a much more useful tool. Spend your tool dollars wisely!
__________________
2002 ford f350, 7.3 diesel
1985 hi-lo funchaser
kb0nai
kd7ctk
renoites is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 12:13 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Luckydog671's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Tehachapi Mountains, Calif.
Posts: 817
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by renoites View Post
While the cigarette lighter plug-in is very useful info.
Spend the same or a small amount more and get a multi-tester instead. You can use it at the battery. You can use it at the cig plug in. you can use it for checking for resistance, where there might be a short. You can check amp usage, etc,etc.

I have a cigarette plug-in inside of my trlr. I use it to run my Ipod. I don't believe that a cig plug-in is standard in a hi-lo.

Is a much more useful tool. Spend your tool dollars wisely!
Agreed! I like the plug-in monitor in addition to having a multimeter. The monitor is just an easier way to do a quick check on battery usage without having to go outside in the cold and rain!
__________________
Greg
2004 4x4 Chevy Tahoe
Former owner of a 2407T
Luckydog671 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2015, 12:39 PM   #10
Site Team
 
Treeclimber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SWFL Bonita Springs/Andrews, NC
Posts: 1,264
Default

I use the monitor myself. Got it from Amazon $13.65. Called Innova 3721 Battery and Charging monitor. I think if I could, I'd wire a more suitable one into my monitor panel, but this is very good for it's purpose. Also use it in the TV. There is a difference in voltage output when connected to the trailer.
Tree
__________________

__________________
Treeclimber
2703 Tow Lite
2002 Escalade
Bonita Springs, Fl. &
Andrews, NC
Treeclimber is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hi-Lo Trailers Worldwide or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:31 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
HiLoTrailerForum.com Copyright 2010
×