Santiago
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 8-27-2003
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using a generator to recharge batteries
I have an older Honda 650watt generator that also has 12volt outlets that indicate they are only to be used to recharge batteries. I'm assuming that
it would be a faster charge to connect the battery to this DC terminal as opposed to conecting my 110volt battery charger to the 110 outlets on the
charger? I have no paperwork on this generator - does anyone know if they have built-in protection from over-charging?
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Baja&Back
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Location: Vancouver, Canada / todo de Baja
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Rate of charge depends on number of Amps output. What is the model number of the Honda? You could look up the Amps output online & compare that to
what your AC charger puts out.
Hope this helps.
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bajalou
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I have a Honda eu2000i and the AC output to a charger puts out way more to the batteries than the 12v plug
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Hook
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Generally, the DC charging circuit on gennys are rated at 8-10 amp, so if your 110v charger is higher than that, it will be faster.
I dont think the gen chargers are smart chargers. My Yamaha YG-2800i mentions nothing about this; it specifically says to check specific gravity of
battery hourly. I had a Honda 2000 that I dont recall anything about being a smart charger.
Use the 110 charger if you can.
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Russ
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Is this for car or boat type batteriy or a solar system? If it's for boat/car batteries I'd go from the generator to a charger to the batteries. But
your 650 watt won't be enough to run a decent charger. If you're using a trickle charger that plugs into the wall socket use the 12v charger on the
generator. Most inverters for a solar system have a "smart" charger. Read the instructions (OH, NO!) on the inverter and wire in dedicated generator
run. Some inverters you can set how many amps go in. That will allow you to put max amps in without kicking the breaker on the generator off.
Electrical is always so much fun. NOT!
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Bob and Susan
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i had an old honda 650w like you...it was VERY small...no built in battery protection
just hook the positive to the closest terminal and the neg to the farthest away neg terminal (i'm assuming you have more than one battery)
you also need to make sure the wire is BIG (lets say #10ga) and you get the generator as close to the batteries as possible to avoid "voltage drop"
buy a $4 meter at the autoparts store and when the batteries are full turn off the generator
remember the generator can ONLY run as long as it has gas
and...regular chargers ofter overcharge to "equalize" the batteries so no problem...go for it
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Santiago
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Registered: 8-27-2003
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Thanks: the label says its 550w rated with 650 max (whoppe do). Amps are 8.3 on the DC side. My charger draws 1.9amps from the 120 side so
1.9X120=228watts. Output on the charger is 10 amps and I get "protection" from over charging. It seems as if the charger is the way to go???
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