Thanks Mike, for telling us about the “12V” output on these types of smaller generators. It seems like an accident waiting to happen and a source of liability for the generator manufacturers. I wonder what it actually designed to be used for or does everyone who has one already know they would need to wire in a charge controller? Seems like a bit of a mystery so there must be more to the story.
Is a charge controller required to use the 12V output with all generators -- including Honda and Yamaha?
This is the first I've heard about this issue. So the 12V supply is essentially useless without a controller? As Doug said, it seems like "a source of liability for the generator manufacturers."
If I wanted to charge batteries with a generator I would probably just plug a battery charger into the 110 ac outlet or use the adapter Mike showed to utilize the shore power cable and charger/converter that is built in to the rv. I would be tempted to disconnect that 12v outlet that isn't actually 12v.
Related to this. If I want to charge rv batteries over the winter with an external charger/maintainer should I disconnect the batteries from the rv? Would the maintainer/desulfator stages of the charger hurt any electronics in the rv? Is it better to just keep shore power connected all winter and let the converter keep the batteries charged?
Thanks Mike, for telling us about the “12V” output on these types of smaller generators. It seems like an accident waiting to happen and a source of liability for the generator manufacturers. I wonder what it actually designed to be used for or does everyone who has one already know they would need to wire in a charge controller? Seems like a bit of a mystery so there must be more to the story.
"Oh, you wanted a steering wheel with that?"
Is a charge controller required to use the 12V output with all generators -- including Honda and Yamaha?
This is the first I've heard about this issue. So the 12V supply is essentially useless without a controller? As Doug said, it seems like "a source of liability for the generator manufacturers."
Also many Inverter generator do NOT Recommand using 12vdc & 120Vac at the same time, they recommend one or the other.
And I recall reading somewhere that any amount of power used on the DC side reduce the power available on the AC side.
If I wanted to charge batteries with a generator I would probably just plug a battery charger into the 110 ac outlet or use the adapter Mike showed to utilize the shore power cable and charger/converter that is built in to the rv. I would be tempted to disconnect that 12v outlet that isn't actually 12v.
Related to this. If I want to charge rv batteries over the winter with an external charger/maintainer should I disconnect the batteries from the rv? Would the maintainer/desulfator stages of the charger hurt any electronics in the rv? Is it better to just keep shore power connected all winter and let the converter keep the batteries charged?