boondocking when to charge

[hyperactive]

I am planning on boondocking with a generator. I have a yamaha 2000 , my question is how do you know when it is time to charge the batteries.

 

[TowPro]

depends. Do you have any solar? if yes, are you out in full sunlight? Do you have a 12V refrigerator?

 

[CAG-JAY]

I am planning on boondocking with a generator. I have a yamaha 2000 , my question is how do you know when it is time to charge the batteries.

I did not have a battery monitoring system but ran three AGM batteries. We used the generator in the mornings when cooking breakfast and then again in the evening catching the news and getting dinner ready. Usually a total ov about two hours a day and batteries were alway fine.

 

[hyperactive]

depends. Do you have any solar? if yes, are you out in full sunlight? Do you have a 12V refrigerator?

I don't have solar or a 12 volt refrigerator. My refrigerator is 110 volt / propane.

 

[JimD]

The only way to really know that you need to recharge is to measure the battery voltage. A constant voltage display will be your best friend. This is best done without any load. You do not want to let it go below 12.1 volts as you will damage your battery.

If you get down that far it will take a number of hours to recharge. You may want to do a recharge long before the batteries go way low.

I have attached a typical charge chart showing the different charge voltages from the converter and how long it may take.

 

[Jagiven]

Depends on your setup and power usage. Do you have solar (camped in the sun or shade)? 12v frig? Run a lot of things off the battery? Do you have a CPAP or two? What type of battery? Number of batteries? No easy answer as everyone's needs are a bit different.

When boondocking, I run my genny at least for an hour every morning and often again in the evening for about an hour (especially if we have been using the furnace). An hour does not bring me up to full charge, but puts a lot of energy back into the my AGM group 31 battery. I have a CPAP, normally I turn off the heated hose and humidifier to save some power.

I carry a multimeter, I check my voltage in the morning when I get up and again around dinner time. Do not read the voltage right after turning off the genny, the batteries need some time to soak, and stabilize the voltage. I try to wait an hour or so after turning off the genny.

I never let my batteries get below 12V, If they are getting close, I will run the genny for a little while longer.

This is the chart I use to determine my charge state.



Happy camping

 

[TowPro]

You can moniter your battery with your phone for around a 100 bucks. This is what i use https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Smar...0664109cbf54323ea602f5b7c1dba56c&gad_source=1

 

[billcf7]

I am planning on boondocking with a generator. I have a yamaha 2000 , my question is how do you know when it is time to charge the batteries.

It all depends on the type of battery chemistry you have. A lithium battery can be discharged almost 100% and recharged in a couple hours. A lead acid or AGM can only be discharged 50% but takes up to 10 hours to completely recharge to 100%