I agree Nightjar.
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Bullion.Forum
generators and battery chargeing.
- Thread starter Davent
- Start date
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condor22
Mike
Me too, but bit hard to fit a Hydrometer into an AGM 
Went to battery world to buy a charger thats compatable with my AGM, and they confused me further, told me that my generator would blow up the chargers micro processor because its not a full sine wave gennie.....so I ended up just getting a waco power pack , got it cheap. At least I can charge that up from the car , and even though its only 36 amph, it will give me a good back up, allowing me to use solar on the agm.
Suppose I will sell the generator after the trip, and get a sine wave model later next year.
Suppose I will sell the generator after the trip, and get a sine wave model later next year.
Snot simple anymore is it.
The WAECO 36 Cool Power has AGM cells.
Ok!... I know that $ per amp hr they are a comparatively expensive purchase but the warranty is a goodun and they're in a nice "servicable" package. I'm now on my 2nd set of cells in the original after four years of constant service. Mine gets used for camp lighting and powering the Fridge, and because it's so portable it'll soon be powering the pump for my power sluice. I'm if'ing and but'ing about getting a 2nd one + plus a solar panel to build in some redundancy. I have no connection with WAECO except being a satisfied WAECO 36 Cool Power customer although sadly it's a different story with the WAECO fridge... and I now own a BUSHMAN Fridge - but hey! always give credit where credit is due I say.
Ok!... I know that $ per amp hr they are a comparatively expensive purchase but the warranty is a goodun and they're in a nice "servicable" package. I'm now on my 2nd set of cells in the original after four years of constant service. Mine gets used for camp lighting and powering the Fridge, and because it's so portable it'll soon be powering the pump for my power sluice. I'm if'ing and but'ing about getting a 2nd one + plus a solar panel to build in some redundancy. I have no connection with WAECO except being a satisfied WAECO 36 Cool Power customer although sadly it's a different story with the WAECO fridge... and I now own a BUSHMAN Fridge - but hey! always give credit where credit is due I say.
condor22
Mike
In simple terms - When powering devices from a Modified Sine Wave Generator (MSWG).
Q. Will it damage my equipment?
A1. Some MSWG are basic and really "chop" the AC current badly, others are almost as good as a Pure Sine Wave Genny (PSWG)
A2. The more complex an electrical device, the more likely it is to suffer damage and usually catastrophic. i.e. -
An electric motor device, drill, angle grinder is likely to be OK. Whereas a laptop or computer will almost certainly be damaged. Smart Chargers are notorious for "frying" on a MSWG.
Assume that pretty well all of the Ebay cheapies, Chinese knockoffs etc are in the "bad" range of MSWG.
Although there are other brands of PSWGs, Honda and Yamaha are the benchmark. Also you don't need 2.4kVA to run a charger, a 1kVA or even an 800W PSWG will run a charger.
I take this point - When camping off a battery to run a fridge, some lights and charge detectors a small genny is enough. Why do I have a 2kVA Honda, because I run a caravan, it has A/Con and a Microwave that need more than 1kVA. This is a user choice.
Said before, "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"
Q. Will it damage my equipment?
A1. Some MSWG are basic and really "chop" the AC current badly, others are almost as good as a Pure Sine Wave Genny (PSWG)
A2. The more complex an electrical device, the more likely it is to suffer damage and usually catastrophic. i.e. -
An electric motor device, drill, angle grinder is likely to be OK. Whereas a laptop or computer will almost certainly be damaged. Smart Chargers are notorious for "frying" on a MSWG.
Assume that pretty well all of the Ebay cheapies, Chinese knockoffs etc are in the "bad" range of MSWG.
Although there are other brands of PSWGs, Honda and Yamaha are the benchmark. Also you don't need 2.4kVA to run a charger, a 1kVA or even an 800W PSWG will run a charger.
I take this point - When camping off a battery to run a fridge, some lights and charge detectors a small genny is enough. Why do I have a 2kVA Honda, because I run a caravan, it has A/Con and a Microwave that need more than 1kVA. This is a user choice.
Said before, "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"
Yeah, ive had this genny for about 4 years as part of my cyclone kit, not camping kit. The fridge ive had for about 4 years as well, it used to live in my boat, duel battery ser up, and the motor trickled enough to keep it charged indeffinatley.
so this solar panel, set up is new to me, also my previous car had duel batteries with red arc set up, pretty maintanence free, my hilux dosnt, and I cant really afford it now. I also want to leave my fridge at my camp, not take it where ever I go. So this trip will be a big learning curve for me. At leasr if it goes a bit pair shaped, I can charge the waco cool power from my car.
so this solar panel, set up is new to me, also my previous car had duel batteries with red arc set up, pretty maintanence free, my hilux dosnt, and I cant really afford it now. I also want to leave my fridge at my camp, not take it where ever I go. So this trip will be a big learning curve for me. At leasr if it goes a bit pair shaped, I can charge the waco cool power from my car.
Only loads will be fridge set at 3 deg c, minelab battery recharge, maybe some LED lighting, have a couple that can be charged via cig lighter, and I have a 3 way adapter for cig lighter. Cooking done with gas or fire. Nothing else needs electricity, so I have jump starter pack, a waco cool power 36 amph, can be charged with car or solar, and 105aph AGM, and 160w solar panel. Its the dry season, it usually wont rain untill september, didnt rain much at all wet season, clear skys. Think I should be right. Can charge the minelab battery in the car as well, will re fill the hilux tank at tennant creek, get over 600km to the tank, have 60lt deisal in jerrys, 45 lt water on trailer,(as well as bucket shower) 40lt water in jerrys, and have scored a 70lt stainless water tank for free today. Fridge is 60lt. Will have a frozen chook in it, cryovaced steaks, snags, beer and soft drinks. Big tent, usually dont use it. 2 army hootchies(preferred) stretcher, swag, table chairs, books, and samsung tablet for games etc, 2 lt of havana club rum (for snake bite) 2 spare tyres for the hilux, 1 for the trailer, puncture kit, all sorts of other stuff.
2 small picks, 1 bigger one, shovel, army entrenching tool, gpx 4500, standard battery, cam cord battery (woodys) 14 x 9 evo, 15" spoke evo, 15 x 12 elip, 11" dd, trench bar, warm clothes, buckets, cyalume sticks, solar garden lights, gps, compas, topo maps, reckon I should be right.
really just want to keep the fridge running and be able to recharge the minelabs batteries, everything else should be easy.
2 small picks, 1 bigger one, shovel, army entrenching tool, gpx 4500, standard battery, cam cord battery (woodys) 14 x 9 evo, 15" spoke evo, 15 x 12 elip, 11" dd, trench bar, warm clothes, buckets, cyalume sticks, solar garden lights, gps, compas, topo maps, reckon I should be right.
really just want to keep the fridge running and be able to recharge the minelabs batteries, everything else should be easy.
condor22
Mike
Fair bit of gear there Davent
The Minelab battery and LED lights are a very small impost on an AGM or the Cool Power.
The fridge is the issue, going north will increase the fridges cycling, so if it gets to mid 30s during the day or hotter, use the AGM with solar. Keep the Coolpower as a reserve.
The key point is to be able to put more into the batteries than you take out. (You can't put more in than you take out, but
Using more than you can charge, is not a long term option, lol
The Minelab battery and LED lights are a very small impost on an AGM or the Cool Power.
The fridge is the issue, going north will increase the fridges cycling, so if it gets to mid 30s during the day or hotter, use the AGM with solar. Keep the Coolpower as a reserve.
The key point is to be able to put more into the batteries than you take out. (You can't put more in than you take out, but
Using more than you can charge, is not a long term option, lol
Im actually going south, Tennant creek is much much cooler than darwin this time of year.
it gets cold at night, and I mean proper cold, not just cool.
days are anywhere from 20 to 26 compared to to darwin atm 22 to 35.
it gets cold at night, and I mean proper cold, not just cool.
days are anywhere from 20 to 26 compared to to darwin atm 22 to 35.
Just want to thank everyone for your advice!
Mind boggling! Main thing ive learnt from all this, is I have a lot to learn!
I am planning a major trip next year, will be for 6 to 8 weeks in WA. By then, I should have 2 AGM, and a genny that is capable of looking after everything.
Mind boggling! Main thing ive learnt from all this, is I have a lot to learn!
I am planning a major trip next year, will be for 6 to 8 weeks in WA. By then, I should have 2 AGM, and a genny that is capable of looking after everything.
The frozen chook, takes up too much room. I have learnt to chopup and season all my food and place it in to portion sizes ziplock bags. It packs better & makes life easier at camp, also goes back into the freezer at home. I run -6 degrees.
Looks like you're setup for a great trip, do well and take care.
Barry
Looks like you're setup for a great trip, do well and take care.
Barry
Frozen chook acts like a block of ice for 3 or so days, and helps keep the fridge cool, reduceing cycle time, less draw on the battery.
Im not new to camping, im new to modern camping. I can well remember the days of no ice, no fridge, gas lanterns tinned food etc.
I used to live on a 4.85m tinny for 6 days at a time, in some of the remotest parts of Australia, sometimes by myself. Involved a 300km drive from darwin, then 200km by boat to get to some of the best fishing in the world. Of course I had a duel battery set up in my boat, but only a 60hp honda motor to charge and limited fuel, so once at my spot, no unnessasary running around. No solar panels, and the 2nd battery was a hybrid marine , 100amph. 6 days running the same fridge, no worries.
Im not new to camping, im new to modern camping. I can well remember the days of no ice, no fridge, gas lanterns tinned food etc.
I used to live on a 4.85m tinny for 6 days at a time, in some of the remotest parts of Australia, sometimes by myself. Involved a 300km drive from darwin, then 200km by boat to get to some of the best fishing in the world. Of course I had a duel battery set up in my boat, but only a 60hp honda motor to charge and limited fuel, so once at my spot, no unnessasary running around. No solar panels, and the 2nd battery was a hybrid marine , 100amph. 6 days running the same fridge, no worries.
Mate, get your act together, love to see those photos
