New camping trailer. Battery/generator questions

[BlackdogGS]

I'm new to this. Ive been camping off my motorcycle for the last few years and we just got a new camping trailer. I'd like to set it up for remote camping.

It came with one 12 volt battery. Should I just add another 12 volt or go with 2 6 volts?

My AC requires a 3.5 KW, could I get by with a Yamaha 3,000 generator?

Thanks!

 

[dreadlocks]

typically the best value/power output is dual 6v golf cart batteries in a series, you should probably use your existing battery for a while, add a battery monitoring system and figure out how much battery you need.. do you want to go 2-3 days without running generator? or you fine with running it daily? is 100Ah of battery enough? or do you need 200ah or more etc.

what aircon do you have? you might needa put an easystart on it to get it running off a generator.. supposedly you can run a 16k btu aircon off a 2KVA generator if you can manage the starting current surge.

 

[john61ct]

The best battery value by far is Duracell (actually Deka/East Penn) FLA deep cycle golf cart batteries, 2x6V, around $200 per 200+AH pair from BatteriesPlus or Sam's Club

 

[BlackdogGS]

Is a battery box for two 6 volts available?

 

[dreadlocks]

Is a battery box for two 6 volts available?

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-HM426-Commercial-Automotive-Batteries/dp/B003VAUG5A/

among many others.. its a fairly common use.

 

[dwh]

How old is the existing battery?

Batteries connected together into a full-time battery bank should always be matched as identically as possible - brand, type, size, age, etc. Otherwise, one will always be stronger and do more work. Over time, which is stronger ping-pongs between the batteries, prematurely wearing out the whole bank.

 

[sargeek]

Go with the dual 6 volt batteries; and two separate battery boxes.

 

[john61ct]

Wut? Why?

 

[BlackdogGS]

I'm making some progress (I think). After watching a bunch of YouTube videos I decided to get a generator first. I found a lightly used Honda EU3000iS for $1,300 on Craigslist so I picked it up. I was going to get my golf cart batteries at Costco but I guess theres better options. Home Depot has Deka 230CCA batteries for $144. I think if I put them in separate boxes I could use my original battery tray.

I think the generator I got is probably overkill but I could use it as a whole house gen too.

 

[dreadlocks]

thats a wise decision, house batteries without a reliable charge source wont last that long.. learned that lesson the hard way.

lead batteries quite dislike not being fully charged, and "deep discharging" without permanent damage is really only feasible if you have the ability to immediately recharge the thing back to 100% SOC.. this time around I got generator first, good charging system second, battery third and next up I'm doing solar..

I too justified the generator for both adventures and home backup.. makes it seem like a better investment that way, if I can keep from loosing everything in my deep freezer again that will pretty much pay for the generator right there.

 

[BlackdogGS]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Deka-6-Vol...U18815UAUbu2vtoIZsTv24kQIn0RY_Z0aAi-tEALw_wcB

is there better options?

 

[john61ct]

I was going to get my golf cart batteries at Costco but I guess theres better options. Home Depot has Deka 230CCA batteries for $144.

Those are Starter not deep cycle.
Also do **not** buy Deka AGM.

The very specific ones listed above are good value, nothing else available in retail / auto big box is suitable.

Next step up is Trojan T-105's, Crown is good, Superior or U.S. Battery,

best of all is Rolls Surrette but very pricey.

That's it for FLA in NA market.

Need to find a local dealer, check here about models if unsure.

Lots of dishonesty in this market.

https://marinehowto.com/what-is-a-deep-cycle-battery/

 

[john61ct]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Deka-6-Vol...U18815UAUbu2vtoIZsTv24kQIn0RY_Z0aAi-tEALw_wcB

is there better options?

Actually great find, didn't know Lowe's carries tgem.

Exact same as the Duracell Ultra SLIGC115 (230AH) I spec'd. They're just charging a bit more than most B+ would.

Check the mfg date, choose most recent.

 

[john61ct]

Generator with a good mains charger will only get you through the first 2-3 hours of charging.

Getting to full 100% takes at least another 4-6 hours of "long tail" need an ammeter to tell when it hits mfg endAmps spec.

Solar or mains overnight is best for this because low amp rate.

At least a few days per week, most cycles better, ideally every cycle, but often not possible.

A SmartGauge or an AH counting Battery Monitor helps, or use a hydrometer.

Run the Bulk genny stage, up to 80-90% SoC, before the solar day starts.

 

[john61ct]

You may be able to run a 16000btu aircon unit off that 3000 kva.

And yes some aircon units startup surge may require a soft start capacitor, but others have that built in.

Best if your mains charger can de-rate Amps if you want to run both together.

Sterling ProCharge Ultra and ProMariner Pronautic P are good, future-proof adjustability.