batteries in place of generator

[Dorn Hetzel]

The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape. (hosed up flywheel,
takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then doesn't run for
more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it seems))

I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole where it used to be
with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.

My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would be a lot of Amp
Hours.

I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could get my hands on
for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.

I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air conditioning, or
for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock with the air
running

Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?

Regards,

Dorn Hetzel
77FC35
Hogansville, GA


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Al]

Dorn,
I believe you should wait till the middle of the summer to make
that call. If you pull your generator out, it will drive the resale
value of your bird down at least the cost of a new replacement one.
The charging capacity of your rig will have to be modified greatly to
meet the now amperage draw required to bring you batteries back to
full charge. The generator is much more fuel efficient to recharge a
battery bank than the main drive engine. We live in the deep south
so most trips, our generator is running along with the main drive
engine. I think is money better spent either repairing or replacing
your existing generator and not just tossing to the side.

Al Johnson
'96 BMC B100
Louisiana

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Dorn Hetzel"
wrote:
>
> The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape. (hosed up
flywheel,
> takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then
doesn't run for
> more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it seems))
>
> I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole where it
used to be
> with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.
>
> My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would be a
lot of Amp
> Hours.
>
> I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could get my
hands on
> for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.
>
> I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air
conditioning, or
> for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock with the
air
> running
>
> Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?
>
> Regards,
>
> Dorn Hetzel
> 77FC35
> Hogansville, GA
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[bubblerboy64]

Dorn, Don't know if your idea would work or not, but I have decided
if my generator dies I think I will make a storage bay for my
portable Honda generators and do it that way. Wouldn't be able to run
them going down the road but I would be able to use them as I did
with my previous trailers. I own the Honda's and rather then dumping
big bucks into a new onan or similar I think I would compromise as
suggested.
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC
>
> The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape. (hosed up
flywheel,
> takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then
doesn't run for
> more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it seems))
>
> I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole where it
used to be
> with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.
>
> My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would be a
lot of Amp
> Hours.
>
> I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could get my
hands on
> for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.
>
> I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air
conditioning, or
> for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock with the
air
> running
>
> Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?
>
> Regards,
>
> Dorn Hetzel
> 77FC35
> Hogansville, GA
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Dorn Hetzel]

I could do that also. I already own a couple of portable generators, one
5kva and and 7.5kva.

I'm not so much planning on running the main engine solely to charge the
batteries as charging the batteries while going down the road, or charging
the batteries while parked where there *is* shore power. I probably need
to make sure we can run one of the rooftop AC units while going down the
road, but I'm suspecting a big hunky alternator (say 300 amps or so) could
handle that... I'm guessing that 12.5kw gas genset and associated 30
gallons of fuel must weigh over 500lbs combined, which is a fair amount of
batteries, say another 8 or more.

On Dec 18, 2007 1:21 PM, bubblerboy64 wrote:

> Dorn, Don't know if your idea would work or not, but I have decided
> if my generator dies I think I will make a storage bay for my
> portable Honda generators and do it that way. Wouldn't be able to run
> them going down the road but I would be able to use them as I did
> with my previous trailers. I own the Honda's and rather then dumping
> big bucks into a new onan or similar I think I would compromise as
> suggested.
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 1973 FC
>
> >
> > The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape. (hosed up
> flywheel,
> > takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then
> doesn't run for
> > more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it seems))
> >
> > I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole where it
> used to be
> > with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.
> >
> > My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would be a
> lot of Amp
> > Hours.
> >
> > I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could get my
> hands on
> > for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.
> >
> > I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air
> conditioning, or
> > for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock with the
> air
> > running
> >
> > Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Dorn Hetzel
> > 77FC35
> > Hogansville, GA
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Peter T. Arnold]

300 Amps X 12V = 3600 watts

I wouldn't think of running a 13.5 BTU air conditioner with out a 5.0
Generator to cove line loss and motor start surge.

Pete

On Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:10:59 -0500, you wrote:

>I could do that also. I already own a couple of portable generators, one
>5kva and and 7.5kva.
>
>I'm not so much planning on running the main engine solely to charge the
>batteries as charging the batteries while going down the road, or charging
>the batteries while parked where there *is* shore power. I probably need
>to make sure we can run one of the rooftop AC units while going down the
>road, but I'm suspecting a big hunky alternator (say 300 amps or so) could
>handle that... I'm guessing that 12.5kw gas genset and associated 30
>gallons of fuel must weigh over 500lbs combined, which is a fair amount of
>batteries, say another 8 or more.
>
>On Dec 18, 2007 1:21 PM, bubblerboy64 wrote:
>
>> Dorn, Don't know if your idea would work or not, but I have decided
>> if my generator dies I think I will make a storage bay for my
>> portable Honda generators and do it that way. Wouldn't be able to run
>> them going down the road but I would be able to use them as I did
>> with my previous trailers. I own the Honda's and rather then dumping
>> big bucks into a new onan or similar I think I would compromise as
>> suggested.
>> John Heckman
>> central Pa
>> 1973 FC
>>
>> >
>> > The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape. (hosed up
>> flywheel,
>> > takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then
>> doesn't run for
>> > more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it seems))
>> >
>> > I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole where it
>> used to be
>> > with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.
>> >
>> > My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would be a
>> lot of Amp
>> > Hours.
>> >
>> > I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could get my
>> hands on
>> > for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.
>> >
>> > I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air
>> conditioning, or
>> > for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock with the
>> air
>> > running
>> >
>> > Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> >
>> > Dorn Hetzel
>> > 77FC35
>> > Hogansville, GA
>> >
>> >
>> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--

Fraternal Regards,

Peter T. Arnold

Worthy Patron, Temple Chapter #53 {3rd Time}

Hartford Evergreen Lodge #88 Past Master
Meets on 1st and 3rd Mondays

Washington Lodge #70, Past Master 1997
2nd and 4th Monday

Yahoo 6th District B.L.C. Newsgroup Co-Moderator

Past A.G.M., Masonic District 6B
Grand Lodge of Connecticut A.F. & A.M.

As you can see, I'm busy on Mondays!

[Scott Forman]

It would be an interesting experiment, but keep in mind that at
resale time you are probably knocking $10k off your sales price.

Scott Forman
86 PT38
Memphis

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Dorn Hetzel"
wrote:
>
> I could do that also. I already own a couple of portable
generators, one
> 5kva and and 7.5kva.
>
> I'm not so much planning on running the main engine solely to
charge the
> batteries as charging the batteries while going down the road, or
charging
> the batteries while parked where there *is* shore power. I
probably need
> to make sure we can run one of the rooftop AC units while going
down the
> road, but I'm suspecting a big hunky alternator (say 300 amps or
so) could
> handle that... I'm guessing that 12.5kw gas genset and associated
30
> gallons of fuel must weigh over 500lbs combined, which is a fair
amount of
> batteries, say another 8 or more.
>
> On Dec 18, 2007 1:21 PM, bubblerboy64 wrote:
>
> > Dorn, Don't know if your idea would work or not, but I have
decided
> > if my generator dies I think I will make a storage bay for my
> > portable Honda generators and do it that way. Wouldn't be able to
run
> > them going down the road but I would be able to use them as I did
> > with my previous trailers. I own the Honda's and rather then
dumping
> > big bucks into a new onan or similar I think I would compromise as
> > suggested.
> > John Heckman
> > central Pa
> > 1973 FC
> >
> > >
> > > The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape. (hosed
up
> > flywheel,
> > > takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then
> > doesn't run for
> > > more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it
seems))
> > >
> > > I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole where
it
> > used to be
> > > with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.
> > >
> > > My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would be a
> > lot of Amp
> > > Hours.
> > >
> > > I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could get
my
> > hands on
> > > for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.
> > >
> > > I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air
> > conditioning, or
> > > for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock with
the
> > air
> > > running
> > >
> > > Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > >
> > > Dorn Hetzel
> > > 77FC35
> > > Hogansville, GA
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Dorn Hetzel]

Yep, my engine run A/C doesn't run right now, but it's on my short list to
repair, just putting it off until spring since I sure don't need AC now

I'm looking at something like a Xantrex RS3000 and about 300 amps of
alternator capacity. That should run at least one of the AC units while
driving I would hope.

Regards,

Dorn Hetzel
77FC35
Hogansville, GA

On Dec 18, 2007 2:45 PM, Jon wrote:

> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com,
> "Dorn Hetzel"
> wrote:
> >
> > The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape. (hosed up
> flywheel,
> > takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then
> doesn't run for
> > more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it seems))
> >
> > I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole where it
> used to be
> > with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.
> >
> > My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would be a
> lot of Amp
> > Hours.
> >
> > I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could get my
> hands on
> > for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.
> >
> > I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air
> conditioning, or
> > for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock with the
> air
> > running
> >
> > Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Dorn Hetzel
> > 77FC35
> > Hogansville, GA
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> Without saying to much I would stick with some type of generator. If
> your coach is typical for being a vintage Wanderlodge than your
> Engine run A/C does not operate. Now I know most of the people here
> use there generator to run there topside A/C unit in hot weather when
> there dash air is not operational. These old coaches can get pretty
> hot inside during the summer months. I would stick to a generator
> just for that reason. Jon
> >
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Dorn Hetzel]

Well, if I were worried about resale, I suppose I could hang onto the
generator and stick it back in someday. But considering my "new" bird is 30
years old now and I plan on keeping it for quite a long time, I don't know
if resale will ever become an issue... We will have to see what the market
for 50 year old birds looks like at some point

Dorn Hetzel
77FC35
Hogansville, GA


On Dec 18, 2007 3:30 PM, Scott Forman <sforman@...> wrote:

> It would be an interesting experiment, but keep in mind that at
> resale time you are probably knocking $10k off your sales price.
>
> Scott Forman
> 86 PT38
> Memphis
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com,
> "Dorn Hetzel"
> wrote:
> >
> > I could do that also. I already own a couple of portable
> generators, one
> > 5kva and and 7.5kva.
> >
> > I'm not so much planning on running the main engine solely to
> charge the
> > batteries as charging the batteries while going down the road, or
> charging
> > the batteries while parked where there *is* shore power. I
> probably need
> > to make sure we can run one of the rooftop AC units while going
> down the
> > road, but I'm suspecting a big hunky alternator (say 300 amps or
> so) could
> > handle that... I'm guessing that 12.5kw gas genset and associated
> 30
> > gallons of fuel must weigh over 500lbs combined, which is a fair
> amount of
> > batteries, say another 8 or more.
> >
> > On Dec 18, 2007 1:21 PM, bubblerboy64 wrote:
> >
> > > Dorn, Don't know if your idea would work or not, but I have
> decided
> > > if my generator dies I think I will make a storage bay for my
> > > portable Honda generators and do it that way. Wouldn't be able to
> run
> > > them going down the road but I would be able to use them as I did
> > > with my previous trailers. I own the Honda's and rather then
> dumping
> > > big bucks into a new onan or similar I think I would compromise as
> > > suggested.
> > > John Heckman
> > > central Pa
> > > 1973 FC
> > >
> > > >
> > > > The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape. (hosed
> up
> > > flywheel,
> > > > takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then
> > > doesn't run for
> > > > more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it
> seems))
> > > >
> > > > I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole where
> it
> > > used to be
> > > > with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.
> > > >
> > > > My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would be a
> > > lot of Amp
> > > > Hours.
> > > >
> > > > I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could get
> my
> > > hands on
> > > > for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.
> > > >
> > > > I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air
> > > conditioning, or
> > > > for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock with
> the
> > > air
> > > > running
> > > >
> > > > Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?
> > > >
> > > > Regards,
> > > >
> > > > Dorn Hetzel
> > > > 77FC35
> > > > Hogansville, GA
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Dorn Hetzel]

and 3600 watts = 30 amps at 120v. I've never worried about running an AC on
a 30amp shore hookup.

I'm pretty sure the book says the AC units pull about 12 or 13 amps
running. If they need some surge to start I would think the big inverter
and the bank of 8 to 12 batteries could handle it?

On Dec 18, 2007 3:20 PM, Peter T. Arnold wrote:

> 300 Amps X 12V = 3600 watts
>
> I wouldn't think of running a 13.5 BTU air conditioner with out a 5.0
> Generator to cove line loss and motor start surge.
>
> Pete
>
>
> On Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:10:59 -0500, you wrote:
>
> >I could do that also. I already own a couple of portable generators, one
> >5kva and and 7.5kva.
> >
> >I'm not so much planning on running the main engine solely to charge the
> >batteries as charging the batteries while going down the road, or
> charging
> >the batteries while parked where there *is* shore power. I probably need
> >to make sure we can run one of the rooftop AC units while going down the
> >road, but I'm suspecting a big hunky alternator (say 300 amps or so)
> could
> >handle that... I'm guessing that 12.5kw gas genset and associated 30
> >gallons of fuel must weigh over 500lbs combined, which is a fair amount
> of
> >batteries, say another 8 or more.
> >
> >On Dec 18, 2007 1:21 PM, bubblerboy64
>
> wrote:
> >
> >> Dorn, Don't know if your idea would work or not, but I have decided
> >> if my generator dies I think I will make a storage bay for my
> >> portable Honda generators and do it that way. Wouldn't be able to run
> >> them going down the road but I would be able to use them as I did
> >> with my previous trailers. I own the Honda's and rather then dumping
> >> big bucks into a new onan or similar I think I would compromise as
> >> suggested.
> >> John Heckman
> >> central Pa
> >> 1973 FC
> >>
> >> >
> >> > The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape. (hosed up
> >> flywheel,
> >> > takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then
> >> doesn't run for
> >> > more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it seems))
> >> >
> >> > I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole where it
> >> used to be
> >> > with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.
> >> >
> >> > My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would be a
> >> lot of Amp
> >> > Hours.
> >> >
> >> > I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could get my
> >> hands on
> >> > for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.
> >> >
> >> > I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air
> >> conditioning, or
> >> > for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock with the
> >> air
> >> > running
> >> >
> >> > Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?
> >> >
> >> > Regards,
> >> >
> >> > Dorn Hetzel
> >> > 77FC35
> >> > Hogansville, GA
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> --
>
> Fraternal Regards,
>
> Peter T. Arnold
>
> Worthy Patron, Temple Chapter #53 {3rd Time}
>
> Hartford Evergreen Lodge #88 Past Master
> Meets on 1st and 3rd Mondays
>
> Washington Lodge #70, Past Master 1997
> 2nd and 4th Monday
>
> Yahoo 6th District B.L.C. Newsgroup Co-Moderator
>
> Past A.G.M., Masonic District 6B
> Grand Lodge of Connecticut A.F. & A.M.
>
> As you can see, I'm busy on Mondays!
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Dorn Hetzel]

Actually, I just looked it up and the RS3000 is claimed to handle 7500 watts
surge, which should surely start an AC or two...

Regards,

Dorn Hetzel
77FC35
Hogansville, GA

On Dec 18, 2007 3:37 PM, Dorn Hetzel wrote:

> and 3600 watts = 30 amps at 120v. I've never worried about running an AC
> on a 30amp shore hookup.
>
> I'm pretty sure the book says the AC units pull about 12 or 13 amps
> running. If they need some surge to start I would think the big inverter
> and the bank of 8 to 12 batteries could handle it?
>
>
> On Dec 18, 2007 3:20 PM, Peter T. Arnold wrote:
>
> > 300 Amps X 12V = 3600 watts
> >
> > I wouldn't think of running a 13.5 BTU air conditioner with out a 5.0
> > Generator to cove line loss and motor start surge.
> >
> > Pete
> >
> >
> > On Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:10:59 -0500, you wrote:
> >
> > >I could do that also. I already own a couple of portable generators,
> > one
> > >5kva and and 7.5kva.
> > >
> > >I'm not so much planning on running the main engine solely to charge
> > the
> > >batteries as charging the batteries while going down the road, or
> > charging
> > >the batteries while parked where there *is* shore power. I probably
> > need
> > >to make sure we can run one of the rooftop AC units while going down
> > the
> > >road, but I'm suspecting a big hunky alternator (say 300 amps or so)
> > could
> > >handle that... I'm guessing that 12.5kw gas genset and associated 30
> > >gallons of fuel must weigh over 500lbs combined, which is a fair amount
> > of
> > >batteries, say another 8 or more.
> > >
> > >On Dec 18, 2007 1:21 PM, bubblerboy64
>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > >> Dorn, Don't know if your idea would work or not, but I have decided
> > >> if my generator dies I think I will make a storage bay for my
> > >> portable Honda generators and do it that way. Wouldn't be able to run
> > >> them going down the road but I would be able to use them as I did
> > >> with my previous trailers. I own the Honda's and rather then dumping
> > >> big bucks into a new onan or similar I think I would compromise as
> > >> suggested.
> > >> John Heckman
> > >> central Pa
> > >> 1973 FC
> > >>
> > >> >
> > >> > The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape. (hosed up
> > >> flywheel,
> > >> > takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then
> > >> doesn't run for
> > >> > more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it seems))
> > >> >
> > >> > I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole where it
> > >> used to be
> > >> > with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.
> > >> >
> > >> > My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would be a
> > >> lot of Amp
> > >> > Hours.
> > >> >
> > >> > I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could get my
> > >> hands on
> > >> > for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.
> > >> >
> > >> > I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air
> > >> conditioning, or
> > >> > for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock with the
> > >> air
> > >> > running
> > >> >
> > >> > Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?
> > >> >
> > >> > Regards,
> > >> >
> > >> > Dorn Hetzel
> > >> > 77FC35
> > >> > Hogansville, GA
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> > --
> >
> > Fraternal Regards,
> >
> > Peter T. Arnold
> >
> > Worthy Patron, Temple Chapter #53 {3rd Time}
> >
> > Hartford Evergreen Lodge #88 Past Master
> > Meets on 1st and 3rd Mondays
> >
> > Washington Lodge #70, Past Master 1997
> > 2nd and 4th Monday
> >
> > Yahoo 6th District B.L.C. Newsgroup Co-Moderator
> >
> > Past A.G.M., Masonic District 6B
> > Grand Lodge of Connecticut A.F. & A.M.
> >
> > As you can see, I'm busy on Mondays!
> >
> >
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]