Deezl Smoke Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 I have a coach battery bank that I wish to charge with the generator only when on trips. The batteries are not hooked to the truck in any way. There is no inverter on this battery circuit, only 12 volt dc items such as lights, water pump, fan etc. I would like to find a charger that does not have a start switch that has to be pushed each time. The charger will be located in the battery compartment. I do not wish to open the battery compartment each time I start the generator to start the charger. Trying to find a charger that will just start charging when the generator is on, and one that does not keep any display lit etc. when no input power. In other words, does not draw on the batteries when the generator is off. Any ides or recommends? Quote I'm a work'n on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeverEasy Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 IMO, Progressive Dynamics is the only way to go with the PD 9200 series. https://www.progressivedyn.com/ I have a PD9240C in the truck and a PD9260C in the RV. They do come with a "charge wizard" to show the charging rate but you do not need to connect it. No need to do anything but hook it up. Quote Chet & Deb '01 Volvo 660 w/ Smart '19 Forest River Columbus 320RS 5th wheel 2022 Chev 2500HD Long Bed Retired CWO4, USN and federal service Electronics Tech/Network Engineer/Welder/Machinist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydrvr Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 (edited) The NOCO Genius line of chargers will do that. I have a ten amp model in the basement of my truck. Whenever I plug into shore power, it automatically charges and maintains as needed. It's flawless and works perfectly. There are others which will do it, as well. Check the major deep cycle suppliers, Victron, Xantrex, etc. Jay Edited June 2, 2022 by Jaydrvr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffw Posted June 1, 2022 Report Share Posted June 1, 2022 (edited) 2nd for the NOCO Genius. I've got a 3-bank charger in the trailer, using 2 outputs to charge a pair of LiFePO4 batteries. I also have an older Minn-Kota onboard charger and they would also fit the bill. The NOCO are a better choice in terms of selecting your battery chemistry (IMHO).https://no.co/genpro10x3 Edited June 1, 2022 by jeffw Quote 2007 Volvo 780 Volvo D12D, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deezl Smoke Posted June 1, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2022 I see the NOCO getting high marks elsewhere as well. They sure have a large selection of models. Thanks for you input. Quote I'm a work'n on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpsinc Posted June 1, 2022 Report Share Posted June 1, 2022 Solar panel?? Totally passive and does not need shore power. Quote Marcel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted June 1, 2022 Report Share Posted June 1, 2022 I've been noodling with the solar charger idea. There's a lot of available real estate above the truck bed where panels could be installed. Keep the truck batteries topped up, plus be able to run a line to the rv. Likely would need a "house bank" of batteries on the truck, plus a decent controller, then how do you get it to play nice with the rv system? All it takes is money..... Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deezl Smoke Posted June 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2022 I just bought a Renogy 1280 watt system for my off grid shop/work area. I have not got it put together and running yet, but solar is the way I plan to go going forward. My only solar experience up to now is 100 watt amorphous cell, pwm controller stuff. Now with the Renogy I am stepping up to the polycrystalline and mppt controller. I just want to get on the road and see what my eventual requirements are, then consider solar if I can utilize it. More than likely, the way I travel now, I would'nt even need to charge the house batteries until I return home. But since I will be running the generator for a short while each day for other AC needs, I may as well take advantage and keep the house batteries topped. Quote I'm a work'n on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
durangodon Posted June 2, 2022 Report Share Posted June 2, 2022 7 hours ago, Deezl Smoke said: I am stepping up to the polycrystalline As I understand it, monocrystalline is the preferred technology to poly, especially in hot weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deezl Smoke Posted June 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2022 8 minutes ago, durangodon said: As I understand it, monocrystalline is the preferred technology to poly, especially in hot weather. I'm barely a novice at solar, but I do see a lot of discussion about the benefits of each and heated discussion about which is better. But I am in a quite mild climate near Portland Oregon. I have no idea how well this will work out, but hoping for the best. Even if it does fail, I'm not giving up on solar, I will just chalk it up to expensive education. Quote I'm a work'n on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
durangodon Posted June 2, 2022 Report Share Posted June 2, 2022 38 minutes ago, Deezl Smoke said: I'm barely a novice at solar, but I do see a lot of discussion about the benefits of each and heated discussion about which is better. But I am in a quite mild climate near Portland Oregon. I have no idea how well this will work out, but hoping for the best. Even if it does fail, I'm not giving up on solar, I will just chalk it up to expensive education. A novice is ahead of me, I only know what I read about it. I do have a mono panel which works quite well, but a poly might do better. Good luck, and share your education so it's not so expensive for the next guy. 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted June 2, 2022 Report Share Posted June 2, 2022 4 hours ago, durangodon said: As I understand it, monocrystalline is the preferred technology to poly, especially in hot weather. Any is better than none. In the end, it's all bragging rights and chest thumping. Quote I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deezl Smoke Posted July 3, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2022 I tried my Viking 15 amp charger and it actually did the job just I want, but was very slow. So I found this copy of it on Amazon, but it is a 25 amp. Figured I would give it a try, and it works just as I want. Not sure how long these cheapo things will last, but for my limited usage, probably long enough. 25 amp charger amazon link Quote I'm a work'n on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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