How to use generator to charge battery efficiently?

[Hircarra]

Volts and amps are different things.  There is not enough information to answer if it will support a bigger charger.

Yes there is.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Hey guys, the OP is going in circles and repeatedly tells us our answers are irrelevant, which of course they are not.

Reminds me of a 'loop' in computer programing.

Anyway, have fun. I gave it my best.

 

[highdesertranger]

to answer your question, "Does the outlet support higher than 20a chargers". we need the specs on the generator. can you please give us the make and model of the generator?

or we could just lie and say yes or no or maybe.

highdesertranger

 

[Hircarra]

Hey guys, the OP is going in circles and repeatedly tells us our answers are irrelevant, which of course they are not.

Reminds me of a 'loop' in computer programing.

Anyway, have fun. I gave it my best.

Simply put, do some chargers convert volts to amps? That nothing you've said has been relevant to this question doesn't mean I'm going in circles.

 

[B and C]

OK, I give up. Won't give answers to questions and only asks more questions.

 

[Ticklebellly]

....., do some chargers convert volts to amps? 

No, not at all.   If you do not understand the relationship between volts and amps and watts, no answer here is much use.

 

[jimindenver]

Simply put, do some chargers convert volts to amps? That nothing you've said has been relevant to this question doesn't mean I'm going in circles.

The only thing that we use that converts excess voltage to amps are MPPT controllers. Neither your generator or charger will do it.

Chargers or the built in RV version called converters are rated two ways. Output amps at 12 volts and input requirements at 120 Vac. My 55 amp converter takes 975 watts to run it. That's too much for my 800 watts running generator so I use a 30 amp output charger that does not have the generator screaming for its life.

You do not want to have to push your generator to its limits for a few reasons. First is it's hard on them and they can wear down quickly. Secondly is that you lose power as you go up in altitude or temperature. You can lose 40% at 10.500 ft on a hot day. (Leadville, Co) Anything that pushes the generator at sea level simply will not run.

 

[Hircarra]

OK, I give up.  Won't give answers to questions and only asks more questions.

This is the same question.

 

[Hircarra]

No, not at all.   If you do not understand the relationship between volts and amps and watts, no answer here is much use.

I think a yes or no would be of use.

 

[Hircarra]

The only thing that we use that converts excess voltage to amps are MPPT controllers. Neither your generator or charger will do it.

Chargers or the built in RV version called converters are rated two ways. Output amps at 12 volts and input requirements at 120 Vac. My 55 amp converter takes 975 watts to run it. That's too much for my 800 watts running generator so I use a 30 amp output charger that does not have the generator screaming for its life.

You do not want to have to push your generator to its limits for a few reasons. First is it's hard on them and they can wear down quickly. Secondly is that you lose power as you go up in altitude or temperature. You can lose 40% at 10.500 ft on a hot day. (Leadville, Co) Anything that pushes the generator at sea level simply will not run.

An mppt controller can't handle a/c power though, is this correct? Else, using an mppt controller to convert the 120v output to amps useful to charge a 12v battery sounds like a viable option, or no? Or perhaps some kind of reverse inverter to mppt controller?

 

[bullfrog]

In post 20 and post 38 you were asked to supply information so that the answers to you original question can be answered without so much confusion. This forum is a learning tool for all the people here trying to glean information not just you. By not supplying the requested information you are creating confusion and doing a disservice not only to the people trying to help you and yourself but to others trying to learn how their system works while not knowing if their system is similar to yours. Please answer those posts so we can make replies that are helpful and meaningful to all those reading this thread as well as advise you, thanks in advance.

 

[Matlock]

Wow, sounds like a Troll to me. But what do I know, maybe the OP is just a PO'd banned member. Wait, that would qualify as a troll. List your equipment or someone needs to lock/delete this thread. Read the whole thread, nothing here helps anyone.

 

[highdesertranger]

ok one last try. originally posted

"I have a 950w generator, with an a/c outlet that puts out 20 amps" NO, NO IT DOESN"T put out 20 amps.

"in which I am currently plugging a 20a charger, but this is inefficient." NOT ANYMORE INEFFICIENT THEN ANY OTHER BATTERY CHARGER

How can I utilize all the extra voltage that's going to waste? AGAIN IT"S NOT GOING TO WASTE. AND NO AGAIN YOU CAN"T CONVERT THE EXTRA VOLTS TO AMPS.

so there is your original question answered. unless you want us to help you get another charger with a higher output I consider this thread over. the next post needs to give us the make and model of the generator or this thread will be closed.

highdesertranger

 

[Hircarra]

AGAIN IT"S NOT GOING TO WASTE.  AND NO AGAIN YOU CAN"T CONVERT THE EXTRA VOLTS TO AMPS.

If the extra volts can't be converted to amps, then the extra volts are going to waste. How many amps the generator puts out, and my mistake not specifying 20 amps is the rated peak output, are irrelevant. The make and model of the generator are irrelevant. The only relevant thing here is how many volts it puts out. Assuming this 120 volts is relatively invariable, by not converting it into amps to charge the 12v battery, approximately 120-12 volts is being wasted. The only unhelpful thing in this thread are the incessant corrections of "No, it doesn't put out that many amps," and the demanding of irrelevant specifications of the generator. "NO AGAIN YOU CAN"T CONVERT THE EXTRA VOLTS TO AMPS." This is the closest thing to useful thus far. Why? Perhaps some kind of a/c to d/c inverter to an mppt controller would work?

 

[mjbeam]

20 amps at 120v is 2400 watts.

950 watts at 120v is 7.92 amps.

 

[tx2sturgis]

The battery charger DOES convert higher voltage and lower amps to a lower voltage and higher amps.

But the generator itself can't be changed to do anything other than what it is designed to do. 120 volts from the outlet is going to stay the same.

 

[B and C]

And the answer is irrelevant

 

[Hircarra]

The battery charger DOES convert higher voltage and lower amps to a lower voltage and higher amps.

We have an answer. It should follow then that if the continuous power output rating of the generator is high enough, then I should have no problem plugging in a charger with a higher amperage rating than the outlet is rated, e.g. plugging in a 30a charger when again the outlet is rated at 20 amps.

 

[mjbeam]

We have an answer. It should follow then that if the continuous power output rating of the generator is high enough, I should have no problem plugging in a charger with a higher amperage rating than the outlet is rated, e.g. plugging in a 30a charger when again the outlet is rated at 20 amps.

Yes, but there will not be more or less waste. Your generator will burn more gas to supply the additional current. ie. the voltage put out by your generator will still be 120v, but more current will be drawn by the beefier battery charger. 

Your generator can supply a continuous maximum wattage of 950. If you put a load on it that doesn't need that much wattage, it will burn less fuel and put out less wattage.

 

[tx2sturgis]

then I should have no problem plugging in a charger with a higher amperage rating than the outlet is rated, e.g. plugging in a 30a charger when again the outlet is rated at 20 amps.

Which is exactly what I stated way up in post number 10 of this thread.

But you are confusing the 20a rating on the outlet at 120v AC with the battery charger amp rating at 12v DC. 

A 20 amp, 12v battery charger wont be pulling 20 amps from the outlet. As I said earlier, maybe around 2-3 amps up to maybe 5 or so when the battery is really low.

Reading comprehension. Practice it.