Don't Charge your trailer from the generator to the power cord

[baker5150]

Here is a quick drawing of how I wired TT charging system a couple years ago.

Using four 6 volt batteries, a battery selector switch, and 2 20 amp, manual re-set breakers.

I also installed a surge protector into the converter. 

I thought I had installed a 4 bank charger, but I then recalled I couldn't charge and monitor each battery individually while wired this way. 
I still need to figure out how to do that, if it's even possible.
This diagram is with a 2 bank charger, monitoring each "set" of batteries.

Imo it isnt neccessary to monitor each battery individually. Monitor them in pairs of 2 for their 12v performance, and if an issue arises then you can unhook from series and investigate further. If a single battery develops an issue, it will readily show itself through 12v monitoring.

Agreed

It's really more beneficial for charging, if one of the pair has a lower charge rate.  They shouldn't, if of the same vintage and model, but it's possible.

[pianoman9701]

My buddy runs a cpap in deer camp off a deep cycle marine battery, his really old one died this year in camp he bought a new one charged it to get it fully charged, and never needed charged again.

And his old one was really old, plus he uses it in Alaska every year hunting there.

Just a though so you don’t ruin your trailers batteries.🤔

How many days could he run the CPAP off of it without charging? I have a feeling that mine uses a few amps plus the cabin heater.

The longest I've been on 12V for my CPAP was 7 days, after 7 it was down 25%

Wow. Maybe I just need an extra battery. Did you run an inverter or does your CPAP run off of 12V? My inverter also has a motor/fan.

[dmv9]

I run my CPAP directly from a 12v battery. I bought another adapter for the CPAP and snipped the wires and wired it directly to the battery. Works great. I've run it several nights without a recharge, apparently my cpap uses very little power.

[bornhunter]

Anyone ever try one of those YETI's?  They are supposed to run a cpap for about 3 nights before recharge?

[Mudman]

What about running genny plugged in to TT plus using the batt charger at a 5-10amp quick charge?  Is there an amp not to exceed when charging batts?

[DRobnsn]

Anyone ever try one of those YETI's?  They are supposed to run a cpap for about 3 nights before recharge?

I hadn't seen the Yeti version until you mentioned it. Amazon has a bunch of different brands and sizes. I'm thinking about trying one out.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Anyone ever try one of those YETI's?  They are supposed to run a cpap for about 3 nights before recharge?

Why?

Marine battery way cheaper, and doesn’t need charged every three nights.🤔

[syoungs]

What about running genny plugged in to TT plus using the batt charger at a 5-10amp quick charge?  Is there an amp not to exceed when charging batts?

There is a safe limit of what batteries can be charged at, and a limit of what batteries can be charged at to achieve long term battery health. I do not know these numbers off the top of my head, its typically different for each group size and manufacturer.

The factory converter/charger that almost all travel trailers come with is anemic at best. I REALLY doubt that putting another 10 amps onto a battery bank would cause any harm at all. I'm feeding my 2 6v batteries with a solar array, as well as the converter. the converter is an upgraded unit from progressive dynamics, with a charge wizard smart charge feature. basically the same thing your talking about, but in reverse. my solar will be lower amperage, and the progressive dynamics will dump the juice to them.

[Mudman]

  Good because I used to do it.  Worked faster.  Now have 6volts and don't need to as they last long time.

[DRobnsn]

Anyone ever try one of those YETI's?  They are supposed to run a cpap for about 3 nights before recharge?

Why?

Marine battery way cheaper, and doesn’t need charged every three nights.🤔

I think the versatility and weight difference are a couple good reasons. Depends on your overall camping setup as to if this is worth having or not though.

[pianoman9701]

Well, in a thread about trailers it would seem the Yeti might not be the best choice.

[lee]

What about running genny plugged in to TT plus using the batt charger at a 5-10amp quick charge?  Is there an amp not to exceed when charging batts?

Hi,..... this usually will not provide any benefit because... What you are doing is running 2 chargers in parallel and 1 of them will see the 14.2 volts provided by the other one and think it is the fully charged battery... and it will stop charging.

Lee

[lee]

Good post!!!!

I feel it all depends on the Type of Converter your RV has.

My older RV would only trickle charger the batteries when on Shore power so I would charge from the Gen set to a stand alone battery charger.

My 2013 RV has a much improved Converter and I have found it more efficient to plug the RV to the Gen set to charge. the Converter provides 3 charge levels: Bulk, Absorption, and Trickle.

Lee