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Tars Tarkas ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1446 |
![]() Posted: 11 Jul 2015 at 1:07am |
I'd do it in a pinch too, if I was allowed to, and maybe if I wasn't but it is in the printed rules at some campgrounds that using vehicles to charge batteries is not allowed. It is loud, or it certainly can be, and it can definitely draw nasty looks. A lot depends on the situation.
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2010 176
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shroomer ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 24 Aug 2013 Location: New Haven, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 236 |
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Okay. So I was trying to be humorous about collecting electricity from rain. But guess what? I googled it and it may be real someday. Maybe not enough to light your microwave, but maybe enough to put a little charge in your battery?
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2008/jan/29/plastic-converts-raindrops-to-electricity Oh, and using your car to charge your RV battery ain't necessarily a bad idea. You'll burn about a half a gallon per hour and put virtually no wear on your engine since the load is miniscule. Noise and pollution are also limited from an idling engine. You won't be getting any nasty looks from your neighbors. Fortunately my batteries hold out for my whole trip so I don't worry about it, but I'd go jumper cables in a pinch. |
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Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6
New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8 |
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Tars Tarkas ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1446 |
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Using the TV to charge your pod battery is usually just an emergency measure because of the hassle and expense. A 6 or 8 cylinder $20,000 to $60,000 generator isn't exactly efficient. Some campgrounds don't allow it, and where they do, it's just about the least efficient way to go. Plus, all you're going to get is 12v. With a generator you can run the air, the oven, and anything else, depending on the size of the generator, while charging your battery for quiet hours. If you're happy with just 12v and really just want to keep the battery charged, using jumper cables will work. I'm not sure where the gas bill and wear and tear on your vehicle gets to be greater than the cost of a quiet little generator but there is a big convenience factor to a generator too. TT |
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2010 176
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furpod ![]() Moderator Group - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
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Because you Bargman is at best a 12g wire, and the circuit is wired and fused to only allow 10-15A through it. Your jumper cables are 0 gauge or so, and can move 100's of amps. Your alternator can send it's full capability to the pods battery. Charging 10x's faster is always better. |
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GLBCamper ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 30 Jun 2015 Location: Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 274 |
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So...bypass the Bargman and just jump directly from TV battery to TT battery? Is there any downside to that? Why would I want a generator if I can just charge that way. Isn't my TV just one big generator?
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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
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podrunner ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 30 May 2013 Location: Draper, UT Online Status: Offline Posts: 106 |
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If you are going to plug in the bargman and idle, better choice is jumper cables. 1/2 hour of idle time will put a substantial charge back in the RV battery.
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2010 R Pod 151
2017 4runner 2006 Honda Metropolitan |
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JohnBG ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 14 Apr 2015 Location: Deltona, FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 190 |
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Lights , bathroom fan, Water pump, propane sensor, fridge electronics, fridge (but not for long if you set it that way), and inverter electronics all run on 12VDC.
I have seen folks fire up their tow vehicle and rev the engine to put some charge on the battery. Not sure how well it works, for now I have only camped at places with electric and water hookups.
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2010 R-Pod RP-171
2010 Honda Ridgeline TV |
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GLBCamper ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 30 Jun 2015 Location: Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 274 |
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OK. My first post and it always feels like a stupid question, but what runs on DC besides lights and furnace fan? Also, can't you just use the TV like a generator? (Plug into bargeman and idle?) If so, how long would it take to charge?
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Old: 2014 177 HRE
2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
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JohnBG ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 14 Apr 2015 Location: Deltona, FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 190 |
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If you camp near a creek with flowing water there are some small home build generator kits that you could use, google them.
As far as rain drops, you can't pull more energy out of them than the kinetic energy they have. It would take millions of raindrops to produce a useable amount of energy.
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2010 R-Pod RP-171
2010 Honda Ridgeline TV |
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shroomer ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 24 Aug 2013 Location: New Haven, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 236 |
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If we can catch sunbeams and turn them into electrons, why not rain drops? C'mon you engineers - no more excuses! We don't need kilowatts.
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Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6
New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8 |
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