Get a Honda 1000 or 2000, easy on fuel, one of the quietest around. :) Post by: chessie4905. If you want to keep the cos
BUS CONVERSION MAGAZINE
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paid any attention to that technology but it might be an option. As I recall it was relatively low power output but probably adequate for charging batteries. It also only ran on methanol (as I recall anyway) so that would be about as convenient as hip pockets in long underwear but the technology has likely advanced. Might be worth a look.
Post by: Utahclaimjumper
Small Generator Just for Charging Batteries
Solar.
Post started by: sledhead
I agree with above, a simple 1-2 panel/ $10 charge controller solar setup would keep them charged up, you could mount it on the roof or even make it something you pull out from time to time during down season.
As I write this I am sitting in the coach running my 12 k diesel genne charging up my 6 golf cart batteries since we had a break in the weather and made it to Florida early and have no pole power until as of yet. It’s kind of overkill because the temperature is nice and I like the windows open so not using very much power other than the battery charger. It is to the point that they are only getting 45 amps from the charger. Batteries are about 97 % charged as per my bogart gauge so - would it be a dumb idea to have a small Yamaha 2000 gas genne that I could move to a place that makes little noise ( in the back of my truck ) and run an extension cord to do the final charge and it could run the fridge as well, rather than running the big diesel generator?
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch Get a Honda 1000 or 2000, easy on fuel, one of the quietest around. :)
Post by: chessie4905 If you want to keep the cost down for this, Harbor Freight has copycat models pretty reasonable priced. Otherwise, go with a whisper quiet Honda of same capacity.
Post by: bobofthenorth Several years ago I saw a fuel cell at the Seattle boat show. It was absolutely silent. I haven’t
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Post by: birdarchitect26
Post by: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM I agree, running a big genset to just charge your batteries is overkill and will generate excess heat and also prematurely wear it out. I have also thought of installing a second genset, probably a 1 KW Honda to run primarily to charge the batteries. If I were designing a bus from scratch I may consider this because then I could plan on a way to mount it so I don’t have to tether it with a big chain and I could make space in a safe place for a large gas tank. That is one of my issues, I don’t like carrying plastic cans of fuel in my bus and don’t like the look of carrying fuel cans on the back of my Eagle. Saying all that, I am seriously considering solar now because solar has been better perfected, is reasonably priced, and is relatively easy to install and are great at keeping your batteries topped off which is the best way to maintain them.
Post by: sledhead Solar panels would work if I was in the sun but we try to park under trees if we can. I looked at a comparison of the Yamaha and the Honda and they are almost the same but the Yamaha has a longer run time on 1/4 load on
